Vodafone Portugal: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Vodafone Portugal has no 2G shutdown date we could confirm and plans to switch off 3G, 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 Portugal.
2G and 3G status at Vodafone Portugal
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Unclear | none | low | iot.cards, wirelesslogic.com Trackers conflict: iot.cards (Aug 2026) lists no 2G date; Wireless Logic says 2G was targeted for shutdown by end-2025 (no confirmation that it happened). No operator statement found. |
| 3G | Planned | none | medium | vodafone.pt, 4gnews.pt Gradual switch-off started July 2024 (announced June 2023). ANACOM reported a sharp fall (-70%) in Vodafone 3G sites in Q1 2025 and the process still ongoing; no completion date announced or confirmed found. Vodafone's former 3G support page now returns 404. A vendor tracker (Wireless Logic) claims 3G closed mid-2024, which conflicts with the ANACOM data. |
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 Vodafone Portugal
- 2G status unclear. Test a 2G device on site before relying on Vodafone Portugal's 2G network.
- 3G works until the shutdown. 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 Portugal: permanent roaming is governed by the EU roaming regulation, which generally allows it under wholesale agreements between operators. Details on the Portugal 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 Portugal
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| MEO | No plan announced | Switched off, 31 January 2024 |
| NOS | No plan announced | Switched off, 2025 |
All operators and both rules for Portugal: IoT connectivity in Portugal. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Vodafone Portugal switch off 3G in Portugal?
Vodafone Portugal plans to switch off 3G, with no date given yet. Gradual switch-off started July 2024 (announced June 2023). ANACOM reported a sharp fall (-70%) in Vodafone 3G sites in Q1 2025 and the process still ongoing; no completion date announced or confirmed found. Vodafone's former 3G support page now returns 404. A vendor tracker (Wireless Logic) claims 3G closed mid-2024, which conflicts with the ANACOM data.