The Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF) commissioned Plum to examine how other countries worldwide have dealt with the issues surrounding the switching off of 2G networks. As the vast majority of voice and data traffic migrates to LTE and even 5G networks, demand for capacity on 2G and 3G technology is rapidly falling. In the UK, the last 3G network was switched off in December 2025, but 2G sunset is more problematic due to the nature of its remaining uses – IoT devices which monitor and alert, fallback for voice and emergency service access, utility metering, and telecare devices, among others.

In this report, Plum identified countries where all 2G networks had been sunset, and looked in detail at regulatory and strategic decisions made around this technology shift. Responses were varied, ranging from high levels of regulatory intervention through to more authoritarian industry deadlines. Through this analysis, we identified some areas of best practice.

At the same time, we spoke to stakeholders across the country – not just representing the network operators and regulators, but also service users – to identify the key concerns that parties have regarding a shutdown of the 2G network. We looked at how these topics had been considered in other countries, and what lessons, if any, could be learnt.

Our report concluded with recommendations, aimed at regulators and government; at network operators; and at consumers and service users. This will provide the industry with an important input when looking to optimise the sunset process.

The full report can be downloaded on the TechUK website here.