T-Mobile has now set an official date for pulling the plug on the obsolete 2G network.
T-Mobile began dismantling its 2G network in September 2024 and while that affected capacity and coverage, it continued to work in some parts of the US. The company has now finalized a date for the full network retirement.
Launched in 1991, the second-generation cellular technology was the first digital mobile network. It introduced basic internet access, SMS, and MMS.
We are now in the fifth generation of mobile networks. T-Mobile has already started developing 6G tech. Even 3G has been executed and T-Mobile is the only company in the US to still support 2G phones. 2G stuck around for so long because many Internet of Things devices and feature phones relied on the technology. It was never going to be here indefinitely.
The shutdown will also allow T-Mobile to put resources and spectrum toward its network.
T-Mobile has been trying to encourage its customers to abandon 2G devices by offering free phones and fee waivers. The offer is still on the table, with the company offering a free 5G replacement to anyone still holding on to 2G phones.
All you have to do is trade in your old device at a T-Mobile location. The company also says that this is a limited-time offer, so you might want to hurry if you don't want to spend money on a device that will work on T-Mobile's network.
2G is susceptible to attacks as it uses weak encryption and doesn't authenticate towers, which is why you should stop using 2G phones regardless of the shutdown.
After the impending shutdown, your 2G phone won't get signals and will be useless as a communication device.
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Anam Hamid is a computer scientist turned tech journalist who has a keen interest in the tech world, with a particular focus on smartphones and tablets. She has previously written for Android Headlines and has also been a ghostwriter for several tech and car publications. Anam is not a tech hoarder and believes in using her gadgets for as long as possible. She is concerned about smartphone addiction and its impact on future generations, but she also appreciates the convenience that phones have brought into our lives. Anam is excited about technological advancements like folding screens and under-display sensors, and she often wonders about the future of technology. She values the overall experience of a device more than its individual specs and admires companies that deliver durable, high-quality products. In her free time, Anam enjoys reading, scrolling through Reddit and Instagram, and occasionally refreshing her programming skills through tutorials.
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