Orange, France: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Orange plans to switch off 2G on 15 December 2026 and plans to switch off 3G in 2028, 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 France.
2G and 3G status at Orange
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Planned | 15 December 2026 | high | reseaux.orange.fr, universfreebox.com Metropolitan France. Phased regional switch-off: Bayonne-Biarritz-Anglet 31 Mar 2026, Landes/Pyrenees-Atlantiques 12 May, 7 more south-west departments 9 Jun, Nice 22 Sep, 44 departments 6 Oct, last 43 departments 20 Oct 2026. Univers Freebox confirms the 20 Oct 2026 wave took place (2G gone from almost all of mainland France). 2G stays on only in regulatory white zones until 1-15 Dec 2026. Start was postponed from end-2025. Overseas territories follow separate calendars. |
| 3G | Planned | 2028 | high | reseaux.orange.fr, arcep.fr Orange says 3G will be switched off in 2028 (mainland and overseas). Some secondary sources phrase it as starting from end-2028. |
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 Orange
- 2G devices keep working until the shutdown (15 December 2026). Replace 2G-only devices before that date; once the network closes, they lose service on Orange.
- 3G works until the shutdown (2028). 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 France: permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Details on the France 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 France
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Bouygues Telecom | Planned, 15 December 2026 | Planned, 2029 |
| Free Mobile | not tracked | No plan announced |
| SFR | Planned, 15 December 2026 | Planned, 2028 |
All operators and both rules for France: IoT connectivity in France. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Orange switch off 2G in France?
Orange plans to switch off 2G on 15 December 2026. Metropolitan France. Phased regional switch-off: Bayonne-Biarritz-Anglet 31 Mar 2026, Landes/Pyrenees-Atlantiques 12 May, 7 more south-west departments 9 Jun, Nice 22 Sep, 44 departments 6 Oct, last 43 departments 20 Oct 2026. Univers Freebox confirms the 20 Oct 2026 wave took place (2G gone from almost all of mainland France). 2G stays on only in regulatory white zones until 1-15 Dec 2026. Start was postponed from end-2025. Overseas territories follow separate calendars.
When does Orange switch off 3G in France?
Orange plans to switch off 3G in 2028. Orange says 3G will be switched off in 2028 (mainland and overseas). Some secondary sources phrase it as starting from end-2028.