If the Federation of Elevators has already largely listened to its voice in recent months on the theme of the end of the 2G, scheduled by the end of 2026, and 3G finals, scheduled by the end of 2028, the ARCEP, the telecommunications regulator, is placed as a peace judge.
That is why the authority has just announced the creation of a quarterly observatory that will allow the state of the transition to be followed.
2.7 million people risk at the end of 2026
The end of 2G and 3G are two important steps, and the operators do not intend to change their calendar. For them, it is about moving technologically, but also of improving network safety and complying with the requirements in terms of energy sobriety.
In its first report, the ARCEP indicates, however, that of the 5.9 million SIM cards aboard Aircraft only 2G or 2G/3G compatible, 2.7 million are on phones belonging to simple users. The others are in elevators, 290,000 aircraft, according to the Federation of Elevators, or even Telealms.
2.7 million is a quite substantial figure informed at 68.6 million French. This corresponds to an audience that still has an old phone. It should be noted, however, that the “silly phones” sector, these very simple small phones, or even smartphones adapted to an elderly audience, have been reluctant to enter 4G. Until recently, we could still find 4G non -competitive models in commerce. It should be said that interest is far from being obvious since we generally talk about devices that do not require Internet access.
For operators, this represents a real educational challenge to move to this less motivated audience to the idea of changing the phone, while it still works very well for their uses. But it must be remembered: beyond the end of 2028, if a device does not allow access to the 4G network, it will be ineffective since the original frequencies (900 MHz and 1,800 MHz) will be reassigned to more recent mobile networks.
However, the ARCEP points out that things accelerate. Between December 2024 and June 2025, the number of only 2G and 3G compatible devices fell by more than 18%. At this rate, therefore, we can wait a priori for the general public to move almost completely to something else.
In spite of everything, the time turns and quickly. Orange announced the details of the 2G network stop. This will be done by step, with several interested cities as of March 31, 2026 in the southwest.
Since the adoption of the very high speed France plan in 2013, several important events have overturned the world of telecommunications. In addition to the arrival of 5G, it was the ADSL who began saying goodbye next to the fixed Internet. The end of 2G and then 3G is, therefore, only the logical continuation to offer the best possible flows to users, which will have to start, whatever it costs.
Source: BFM TV
