Telecommunications provider Telefónica Deutschland will shut down the 2G (GSM) mobile standard on its network in the second half of 2028. The technology was developed more than 30 years ago primarily for voice calls and SMS and has now reached the end of its lifecycle, which is why all German mobile providers are discontinuing 2G service. The company will use the freed-up frequencies for 4G/LTE and 5G in the future. This will allow Telefónica Deutschland to create additional capacity for mobile voice calls, data usage, and connected applications.
“We are building Germany’s digital backbone with modern mobile technologies and are retiring 2G, a more than 30-year-old standard that no longer meets today’s demands. While 2G once defined mobile communications, it was designed for voice and SMS and has reached its limits in a data-driven world. Today, nationwide 4G and 5G networks deliver significantly higher performance for streaming, mobile work, and connected applications. By phasing out 2G in the second half of 2028, we are creating planning certainty and unlocking valuable spectrum to further strengthen mobile broadband. This shift will improve networks exactly where people and businesses rely on them every day,” says Mallik Rao, Chief Operating Officer of Telefónica Deutschland.