EE, United Kingdom: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
EE plans to switch off 2G in May 2029 and switched off 3G in February 2024, 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 the United Kingdom.
2G and 3G status at EE
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Planned | May 2029 | high | ee.co.uk, gov.uk EE will begin closing its 2G network from May 2029; completion date not stated. UK government and operators: no 2G or 3G networks after 2033 at the latest. |
| 3G | Switched off | February 2024 | high | ee.co.uk, ispreview.co.uk Switched off during January-February 2024; last of about 18,000 3G sites (Belfast) taken off air in the week before 26 Feb 2024. |
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 EE
- 2G devices keep working until the shutdown (May 2029). Replace 2G-only devices before that date; once the network closes, they lose service on EE.
- 3G fallback no longer works on EE. 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 the United Kingdom: no law we found restricts permanent roaming; mobile operators set the terms. Details on the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Three UK (VodafoneThree) | not tracked | Switched off, November 2025 |
| Virgin Media O2 (O2) | Planned, 2029 | Switched off, December 2025 |
| Vodafone UK (VodafoneThree) | Planned, 2030 | Switched off, February 2024 |
All operators and both rules for the United Kingdom: IoT connectivity in the United Kingdom. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does EE switch off 2G in the United Kingdom?
EE plans to switch off 2G in May 2029. EE will begin closing its 2G network from May 2029; completion date not stated. UK government and operators: no 2G or 3G networks after 2033 at the latest.
When did EE switch off 3G in the United Kingdom?
EE switched off its 3G network in February 2024. Switched off during January-February 2024; last of about 18,000 3G sites (Belfast) taken off air in the week before 26 Feb 2024.