The 2G and 3G network shutdown – how does it affect hauliers?

In short: în România rețelele 3G au fost oprite de toți operatorii mobili (Telekom și Digi în 2023, Vodafone în 2025, iar Orange a anunțat finalizarea la sfârșitul lui 2025), iar 2G rămâne activ în principal pentru voce și SMS. Pentru transportatori, asta înseamnă că orice echipament GPS care comunică exclusiv pe 3G își pierde legătura de date, iar cele care merg doar pe 2G sunt o soluție pe termen scurt. Rezolvarea este înlocuirea trackerelor cu modele 4G, planificată pe grupuri de vehicule.

Majoritatea operatorilor europeni și-au oprit deja rețelele 3G, iar în România 3G a fost scos din uz între 2023 și 2025; următoarea etapă va fi 2G, deocamdată fără o dată anunțată.

In recent years, more and more network operators around the world have decided to say stop to 2G and/or 3G networks, in order to expand the coverage of 4G and 5G networks.

This means that once these networks are switched off, many consumers will be affected, and older-generation devices that use 2G and/or 3G technology will no longer be able to work by connecting to the network.

In transport, the problem is even bigger, because many hauliers use GPS devices that run on a 2G signal, since they are much more affordable and, until recently, seemed like the best option for small companies.

Below, we present the most important information about the 2G and 3G network shutdown and how you can adapt to a situation that will spread over the coming period.

Network operators want to shut down 2G and 3G networks

As 4G and 5G networks keep improving, shutting down 2G and 3G networks is an option more and more telecom providers are choosing.

Shutting down 2G and 3G networks would mean expanding 4G and 5G services, which offer much higher quality.

However, this shutdown is happening gradually, worldwide.

It is important to note that the 2G and 3G network shutdown varies from one network provider to another.

Not all telecom companies choose to shut down both networks: some opt to shut down only 2G, others only 3G, and some shut down both, either at the same time or a few years apart.

Depending on this, customers of certain telecom companies will be affected to a lesser or greater extent.

Why 2G and 3G networks are being shut down

Essentially, telecom companies want to expand the reach of their 4G and 5G networks.

To do so, they have to choose to stop providing either 2G or 3G. This way, they can expand their 4G and 5G frequency spectrum and improve service quality, since 2G and 3G are technologically outdated.

What’s more, the number of 2G and 3G users keeps shrinking all over the world, because new phones and devices have access to 4G and 5G, which deliver far better data quality.

This is where the problem arises for devices on the market that use the 2G or 3G network and may end up, practically, outside any coverage area.

The 2G and 3G network shutdown in Europe

O mare parte dintre operatorii europeni au închis deja rețelele 3G, iar mai mulți au anunțat și închiderea rețelelor 2G în următorii ani. Anumite companii de telecomunicații din țări precum Elveția, Olanda și Liechtenstein au închis deja rețeaua 2G .

În 2023, operatori din Danemarca, Slovacia, Grecia și Ungaria și-au planificat închiderea rețelei 3G.

Planul estimat în 2023 de onomondo.com este mai jos; unele date s-au schimbat între timp. Pentru România, situația reală este: Telekom și Digi au oprit 3G în 2023, Vodafone până la 1 iulie 2025, iar Orange a anunțat finalizarea opririi la sfârșitul lui 2025; 2G rămâne activ, fără o dată de închidere anunțată.

How does it affect hauliers?

The 2G and 3G network shutdown will significantly affect the transport industry.

Vehicle fleets equipped with 2G or 3G devices will need radical changes in order to keep using GPS monitoring effectively.

Why exactly? Hauliers will start noticing location update issues in the countries that shut down their 2G or 3G networks.

In practice, GPS devices will stop transmitting any information once they enter an area not covered by the networks they run on.

As a result, you will lose real-time access to:

• The vehicle’s exact location;
• The vehicle’s status;
• Tachograph records, which can only be downloaded while the vehicle is in a country with a 2G/3G network;
• Notifications and alerts received through the GPS device will be significantly delayed;
• Location sharing with other partners will be affected;

What can you do after the 2G and 3G network shutdown?

In the coming period, it is important to check the network compatibility of the GPS device installed on your vehicles — whether it works only on 2G, 3G and/or 4G networks.

That way, you can start considering replacing them with GPS devices compatible with the 4G network, to make sure that over the coming years you won’t have to worry about accessing your vehicle data, wherever your vehicles are.

This way, you’ll avoid the stress caused by these changes and gain much better control over the vehicles in your fleet.

Industry tips

In telematics, GPS devices running on the 2G network were widely used, because they were efficient enough for the needs of that time.

However, the digitalization that inevitably affects the transport industry as well demands technological progress, for much faster and more efficient operation.

With GPS devices running on the 4G network, data transfer will be much faster, and downloading data and sending routes and documents will take much less time.

So it is only in your interest to take action early, to avoid buying the same services at much higher prices.

What you can do to avoid problems

We recommend starting by making sure your devices are network-compatible.

You can talk to the company you bought your GPS devices from, or contact other companies to get the support you need in this process.

The CargoTrack team is here to help you check your GPS devices’ compatibility and show you how to start the process of replacing them.

Talk now with a consultant CargoTrack and check your GPS device!

Frequently asked questions about the 2G and 3G network shutdown

Have 2G and 3G networks already been shut down in Romania?

În România, rețelele 3G au fost oprite, în timp ce 2G rămâne funcțional. Orange România a oprit gradual rețeaua 3G începând din iunie 2024, cu finalizare anunțată la sfârșitul lui 2025, iar serviciile de voce și SMS rămân disponibile prin rețeaua 2G. Telekom și Digi au renunțat la 3G încă din 2023, iar Vodafone a încheiat oprirea până la 1 iulie 2025; din octombrie 2025, clienții Telekom Mobile au fost preluați de Vodafone și Digi. Pentru 2G nu există un termen de închidere anunțat în România.

What happens to a fleet GPS unit that only works on 2G or 3G?

Un echipament care comunică exclusiv pe 3G a rămas deja fără legătură de date în România, unde rețelele 3G au fost oprite. Dispozitivele pe 2G încă funcționează în România, dar cu viteze foarte mici și cu risc pe termen mediu. Practic, vehiculul dispare de pe hartă: nu mai primești poziția în timp real, alertele și rapoartele, chiar dacă modulul captează în continuare semnalul de la sateliți.

How do I check whether the GPS device installed on my truck is 4G-compatible?

Checking takes three steps. Look up the tracker model in the manufacturer’s technical data sheet and see which radio technologies it supports, from 2G and 3G up to 4G LTE. Then ask your tracking provider for the list of vehicles with older modules. Finally, watch the platform for vehicles that stop reporting altogether or report with long delays. A reliable provider can pull this inventory directly from the system.

Do I need to replace all my GPS equipment, or is changing the SIM card enough?

As a rule, the device itself has to be replaced, not just the SIM card. The communication module is built into the tracker, so a device designed for 2G or 3G does not become 4G by swapping the SIM or through a software update. The SIM card only matters for the data plan and roaming. Replacing the tracker also means reinstalling it on the vehicle, so it is worth planning by vehicle group, during downtime.

How does the network shutdown affect remote tachograph data download?

Remote download of digital tachograph data depends on the mobile connection of the telematics device installed on the vehicle. If it runs on a network that has been shut down, automatic download no longer happens and you are left having to retrieve the files manually, directly from the vehicle. The concrete risk is missing the legal deadlines for the periodic download of data from the driver card and the vehicle unit.

What risks does a haulier face by postponing the switch to 4G GPS devices?

The risks are both operational and financial. You lose real-time visibility over your fleet, you can no longer justify routes to customers or authorities, tachograph data downloads get delayed, and alerts on fuel consumption or driving behavior disappear. On top of that comes pressure on prices and installation lead times, because a great many fleets are replacing their equipment during the same period.

Does it matter which countries the truck travels through if I have older GPS devices?

Yes, it matters a lot. The 2G and 3G network shutdown is happening at different paces from one operator to another and from one country to another, and an older device can lose coverage as soon as it crosses a border. For international transport, a 4G tracker with multi-operator roaming is the option that ensures continuous data transmission on all European routes.

Vlad