Orange will start phasing out its 3G network in Belgium from 2025, followed by the 2G network. Between 2028 and 2030, both technologies will be permanently eliminated.
At Mobile World Congress, the Barcelona telecom show, Orange reported that it is working on a switch-off plan for its 2G and 3G networks. According to the carrier, this is necessary for environmental reasons (lower energy consumption) and to mitigate risks of hacking.
Via Telecoms, Laurent Leboucher, SVP of Orange Innovation, says the switch-off is necessary. “We want to push customers toward new technologies while also simplifying our network. There is the cost aspect on the one hand, but we also want to be more sustainable. 4G and 5G work more efficiently in terms of energy consumption.”
In all European countries where Orange operates, it will start phasing out the 3G network as early as 2025. Only in France will it start with the 2G network first, because the 3G network is still very strong among our southern neighbors. “The second step will happen between 2028 and 2030 when we definitively eliminate the two technologies all over Europe,” Leboucher said.
Assistance with current IoT projects
Today, numerous IoT projects still use the 2G and 3G networks. Leboucher stressed that Orange will work with its customers to see how to move to new solutions. “That help is an important part of the plan. Especially in France, we’re following it briefly because there we’re starting with the 2G network first.”
Switching off old networks is a logical evolution, but often causes problems. However, Orange is very strongly pulling the sustainability card because it wants to be carbon neutral by 2040. Sustainability is a major trend at MWC and is being played out today more than ever as a trump card.