As France looks ahead to the end of the 2G network in the country, here are some of the devices that would be affected by the change.
French telecommunications operators are set to phase out the ‘second generation mobile network’ – better known as 2G – by the end of 2026, with 3G to follow by the end of 2028 and 2029, depending on the individual carrier’s timeline.
The 2G and 3G networks were deployed in the 1990s and early 2000s – 2G being the first digital mobile network – and today they represent only a small portion of telecommunications and internet traffic.
As such, French companies have begun to follow global trends as they phase them out, preferring to switch entirely to the newer generation 4G and 5G networks, which run more efficiently and offer enhanced security, according to the country’s telecommunications regulator, Arcep.
Which devices will be affected by the phasing out of 2G?
Nevertheless, there are still some devices and technologies that operate on the 2G network.
Notably, 230,000 elevators across France – almost half the country’s elevator stock – have their alarm systems connected to the 2G mobile network.
As such, the alarm systems, which use a piece of equipment similar to a SIM card, will need to be replaced in the coming months.
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Many buildings have already begun the process. Sales manager for EMR Elevators, Logan Leleu, told Franceinfo in mid-August: “There is a lot of demand at the moment. We are installing an average of 30 new call devices per week.”
Alarm and monitoring systems, like home security alarms and personal alarm devices for elderly people, often still contact emergency services via the 2G network. According to Le Parisien, an estimated 700,000 ‘remote monitoring’ devices still use the 2G network.
Meanwhile, many intercoms and videophones for residential buildings also rely on the 2G network.
As for elevators, many are located in residential apartment blocks, which are managed by homeowner associations (copropriétés). Members of the copropriété must meet to agree on building-wide expenses, such as updates to the elevator.
Some elevator companies have begun requesting extensions from telecommunications companies, in anticipation that it may take copropriétés several months to vote to update their elevator systems, Franceinfo reported.
For individuals who are concerned their devices might run on the 2G network, you can reach out to the manufacturer or your telephone company to request clarification.
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What about mobile phones?
As of July 2025, more than 99.8 percent of 2G and 3G transmission sites were already equipped with 4G, according to the French government, with 4G available in more than 99.9 percent of the country.
You can also check to see the coverage in your area via the interactive Arcep map.
If you have any doubts about your own device, you can search for the model plus ‘compatibility 4G’ (or compatibilité 4G in French).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
