Hulp & Support Orange's 2G network is making way for 4G & 5G
Mobile technology is constantly evolving. In recent years, the number of active users on the 2G network has significantly declined.
Around 30 years ago – in August 1996 – Orange Belgium (then Mobistar) launched its 2G network. Since then, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks have been introduced. Today, calls and data traffic over the 2G network represent only a small fraction of its original usage. As a result, the 2G infrastructure is largely underutilized. By gradually phasing out 2G, Orange Belgium can free up valuable capacity for more advanced technologies like 4G and 5G, which offer better performance and greater reliability.
The decline in 2G usage is a global trend. Across Europe, the US, and Asia, mobile operators are decommissioning their 2G networks. Several operators in neighbouring countries and across Europe have already shut down their 2G networks or announced plans to do so. In Belgium, the three major operators have also communicated their intention to phase out 2G.
Orange Belgium shut down its 3G network in mid-2025. We now plan to fully deactivate the 2G network by the end of 2028. More detailed information about this transition will be shared closer to that date.
Some professionals still use devices that only support 2G or 3G. It is essential to replace them with 4G or 5G-compatible equipment. Once the 2G network is deactivated, these older devices will no longer be able to make or receive calls, texts, or data. We are informing you well in advance so you can prepare accordingly.
Does your business use IoT (Internet of Things) or M2M (Machine to Machine) applications? See the FAQ below for more details on the impact and available solutions.
What does this mean for me as a user?
The majority of Orange customers already use the 4G network for calls (Voice over LTE, or VoLTE), SMS, and data. The shutdown of the 2G network will therefore have no impact on them.
However, if you still use:
- old 2G or 3G devices
- outdated SIM cards
- a mobile plan that does not support 4G
... or a combination of the above, you will no longer be able to communicate once the 2G network is shut down. Read below to find out what you should do.
Will coverage be reduced once 2G is switched off?
No. 4G coverage exceeds 2G coverage both indoors and outdoors. There will be no loss of coverage or capacity.
Our business still uses old 2G phones. Will they stop working?
Yes, once the 2G network is shut down, old 2G phones will stop functioning. These devices cannot connect to 4G or 5G networks.
You will need to replace them with 4G or 5G-compatible devices.
Your SIM card also needs to be 4G/5G compatible (nanoSIM format). If you still use a miniSIM or microSIM (2G or 3G), request a replacement via our customer service, your account manager, or any Orange shop.
Lastly, make sure your mobile plan includes 4G, which is the case for most Orange plans. If unsure, contact our support or your business representative.
With 4G, your employees will benefit from smooth mobile internet and significantly better call quality (VoLTE) compared to 2G.
We still use 3G phones. Will they still work?
Orange Belgium's 3G network has already been shut down. 3G phones now fall back to 2G. Once 2G is also deactivated, these devices will stop working.
You must replace your 3G phones with 4G or 5G-compatible devices as explained above.
How can I check if my phone is 4G-compatible?
You can check this in your phone’s settings. Menus may vary by device.
Here’s how:
- iOS (Apple):
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Options > Voice & Data. If 5G/4G/LTE appears, your device is 4G/5G-compatible.
- Android:
- Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode. If you see 5G/4G/LTE, your phone supports 4G/5G.
- Or: Settings > Mobile Network > SIM1 > Preferred Network Type. If you see 5G/4G/3G/2G, then it’s compatible.
When will the 2G network be deactivated?
Orange Belgium’s 2G network will remain active until the end of 2028. The exact switch-off date will be confirmed later.
Where will the 2G network be deactivated?
The 2G network will be shut down across the entire Belgian territory. Further regional information will be shared in due time.
Will roaming be affected?
Roaming abroad: availability of calls and SMS while roaming will depend on local network support. More info here.
Roaming on Orange Belgium for foreign SIMs: these devices can connect via 4G (VoLTE roaming).
Specific questions about IoT (Internet of Things) / Machine to Machine (M2M)
Our IoT applications rely on 2G. What happens next?
The 2G network will be phased out by 2028. Any IoT applications that only use 2G will no longer function after that point.
We strongly recommend that customers begin migrating their solutions to 4G or 5G, which offer better performance and availability – both for high and low bandwidth use cases.
Timely transition ensures service continuity and avoids disruption.
Are there risks for our IoT modems?
As with the 3G sunset, the end of 2G brings certain risks.
Modems that only support 2G will no longer be able to connect to our network. We are helping customers assess risks and plan migrations.
For dual- or multi-mode modems (2G/3G/4G), it’s important to verify smooth fallback to 4G.
Will companies need to invest in new IoT hardware?
In most cases, yes. 2G-only modems will need to be replaced by at least 4G-capable devices.
We proactively support our M2M/IoT customers through this transition, considering their budget, hardware lifecycle, and technical needs.
Many companies have already started migrating to more future-proof and reliable 4G or 5G solutions.
Will SMS for IoT disappear after the 2G shutdown?
Just like with data, support for 2G will be phased out. Without modifications to the devices, SMS services will no longer work once the 2G networks are shut down.
To ensure the continuity of SMS functionality for IoT applications, devices need to be adapted or replaced to use newer networks such as 4G or 5G.
We closely monitor technological developments and advise our customers in a timely manner to adapt their equipment so that SMS services can continue to operate in the long term.
