Nova, Iceland: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Nova switched off 2G in December 2024 and switched off 3G in May 2026, 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 Iceland.
2G and 3G status at Nova
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | December 2024 | medium | island.is, island.is Regulator listed Nova closing 2G at end-2024; in Oct 2025 it confirmed Nova and Sýn had completed their 2G phase-out. Exact completion date not stated (Wireless Logic says January 2025). |
| 3G | Switched off | May 2026 | medium | island.is, syn.is Regulator said in Dec 2025 that Nova had wholly or largely finished; last 3G sites nationwide went off April-May 2026. Sýn's page states all operators have closed 3G. |
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 Nova
- 2G devices no longer connect to Nova. Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in Iceland still running 2G.
- 3G fallback no longer works on Nova. Devices built for 3G (UMTS) or that fall back to it lose service; 4G devices with 2G fallback are not affected by this closure.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in Iceland: permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Details on the Iceland 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 Iceland
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Síminn | Switched off, 2026 | Switched off, May 2026 |
| Sýn (ex Vodafone Iceland) | Switched off, 2025 | Switched off, May 2026 |
All operators and both rules for Iceland: IoT connectivity in Iceland. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did Nova switch off 2G in Iceland?
Nova switched off its 2G network in December 2024. Regulator listed Nova closing 2G at end-2024; in Oct 2025 it confirmed Nova and Sýn had completed their 2G phase-out. Exact completion date not stated (Wireless Logic says January 2025).
When did Nova switch off 3G in Iceland?
Nova switched off its 3G network in May 2026. Regulator said in Dec 2025 that Nova had wholly or largely finished; last 3G sites nationwide went off April-May 2026. Sýn's page states all operators have closed 3G.