eir, Ireland: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
eir has no 2G shutdown date we could confirm and plans to switch off 3G on 6 November 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 Ireland.
2G and 3G status at eir
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Unclear | none | low | irishexaminer.com No 2G plan found. The article only says older devices keep making calls over 2G after eir's 3G switch-off; nothing on a 2G end date. |
| 3G | Planned | 6 November 2026 | high | comreg.ie, irishexaminer.com Switch-off in progress: started 1 Oct 2026 in Donegal, phased over several weeks until 6 Nov 2026 (ComReg). Irish Examiner: north/west and east on 14 Oct, southern counties on 28 Oct, service to end by end of October. Sources differ on the final date. |
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 eir
- 2G status unclear. Test a 2G device on site before relying on eir's 2G network.
- 3G works until the shutdown (6 November 2026). 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 Ireland: permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Details on the Ireland 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 Ireland
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Three Ireland | No plan announced | Switched off, 2024 |
| Vodafone Ireland | No plan announced | Switched off, October 2024 |
All operators and both rules for Ireland: IoT connectivity in Ireland. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does eir switch off 3G in Ireland?
eir plans to switch off 3G on 6 November 2026. Switch-off in progress: started 1 Oct 2026 in Donegal, phased over several weeks until 6 Nov 2026 (ComReg). Irish Examiner: north/west and east on 14 Oct, southern counties on 28 Oct, service to end by end of October. Sources differ on the final date.