Bell, Canada: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Bell switched off 2G on 30 April 2019 and plans to switch off 3G on 1 March 2027, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in Canada.
2G and 3G status at Bell
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | 30 April 2019 | medium | telecomtv.com, wirelesslogic.com Bell never ran GSM; its 2G/3G CDMA network was phased out from 2017 and Bell announced final shutdown on 30 Apr 2019 (remaining areas in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic). Tracker lists 2G closed in 2019. |
| 3G | Planned | 1 March 2027 | high | business.bell.ca, canadatelecoms.ca 3G/HSPA ended in Manitoba on 31 Dec 2025; national shutdown 1 Mar 2027. Older 4G LTE devices without VoLTE are also affected. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on Bell
- 2G devices no longer connect to Bell. Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in Canada still running 2G.
- 3G works until the shutdown (1 March 2027). Devices that rely on 3G should move to 4G before then.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in Canada: no law we found restricts permanent roaming; mobile operators set the terms. Details on the Canada page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in Canada
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers | Planned, 30 November 2027 | Switched off, 7 August 2025 |
| SaskTel | Switched off, 5 July 2017 | Planned, 1 October 2027 |
| Telus | Switched off, 2017 | Planned, 1 March 2027 |
All operators and both rules for Canada: IoT connectivity in Canada. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did Bell switch off 2G in Canada?
Bell switched off its 2G network on 30 April 2019. Bell never ran GSM; its 2G/3G CDMA network was phased out from 2017 and Bell announced final shutdown on 30 Apr 2019 (remaining areas in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Atlantic). Tracker lists 2G closed in 2019.
When does Bell switch off 3G in Canada?
Bell plans to switch off 3G on 1 March 2027. 3G/HSPA ended in Manitoba on 31 Dec 2025; national shutdown 1 Mar 2027. Older 4G LTE devices without VoLTE are also affected.