2G and 3G Switch-Off: Will Your GPS Trackers Stop Working in the UK?
Charles Alexis
3G has now been switched off by every UK mobile network, and 2G is next. If your fleet has older trackers, some of them may already be offline or on borrowed time.
Where things stand
All four UK mobile networks, EE, Vodafone, Three and O2, have finished switching off 3G. Ofcom confirmed this in 2026.
2G is still running for now, but not forever. The networks have agreed with the government that all public 2G and 3G services will be gone by 2033 at the latest. Several operators have already set earlier dates. Virgin Media O2, for example, has announced it will start switching off 2G from summer 2029.
So: 3G is gone now, and 2G has a few years left, but the clock is running.
Why this matters for fleets
Lots of telematics hardware was built to use 2G or 3G because it used little data and was cheap. That includes:
- GPS trackers
- Dash cams with SIM cards
- Remote immobilisers
- Alarm and stolen vehicle tracking units
- Some keyless and remote unlock systems
If a device only supports 3G, it will not connect at all now. If it only supports 2G, it will stop when 2G ends on its network.
Signs a tracker has been hit
- It went offline and never came back, with no obvious power fault.
- It still replies to SMS but never shows online.
- It shows “no network” or registers, then drops off.
If this sounds familiar, see our guide to GPS trackers offline and not connecting as well.
How to check your devices
- List your hardware. Make and model of every tracker, camera and immobiliser.
- Check the network technology. Look at the spec sheet. You are looking for “4G”, “LTE”, “LTE Cat-M1” or “NB-IoT”. “GSM” or “GPRS” alone means 2G. “UMTS” or “WCDMA” means 3G.
- Check what fallback it uses. Many 4G devices fall back to 2G when 4G is weak. That is fine for now, but they will rely on 4G only once 2G goes.
- Check your SIMs. Roaming or multi network SIMs can help with coverage, but they cannot make a 3G-only device work on 4G.
What to do about it
- 3G-only devices: replace them now. They will not come back.
- 2G-only devices: plan replacement over the next couple of years. Do not buy any more.
- 4G with 2G fallback: you are fine for now. Check performance in areas with weak 4G.
- 4G LTE Cat-M1 or NB-IoT: built for long term IoT use and the safest choice for new purchases.
Budget for it as a planned project, not a panic. Swapping a few devices a month is much easier than replacing everything when a network switches off.
Do you need hardware at all?
For newer vehicles, you may not need to fit a tracker. Digital tracking uses the connectivity already built into the vehicle to give location, mileage and fuel or charge level, without any hardware or SIMs to manage.
You can check whether your vehicles support it with our digital tracking checker, or read more on our digital fleet tracking page.
How Traknova can help
We work with a wide range of tracker brands, including Teltonika, Ruptela, Queclink, Concox and Jimi. That means you can mix older devices you are phasing out with new 4G hardware on one dashboard while you transition. See our integrations and GPS tracking pages.
Summary
3G is off. 2G is going. Check what network every device uses, replace 3G-only units now, and plan 2G replacements before your network sets the date for you.