T-Mobile shuts off 2G on Aug. 3

A small slice of T-Mobile subscribers could lose service on Aug. 3 if they are still using phones that rely on the carrier’s 2G network. After two years of outreach, T-Mobile says those customers can get a free 5G-capable replacement either by mail or by bringing their old device — in any condition — to a T-Mobile store.

A company representative declined to say how many people are affected, but Roger Entner of Recon Analytics told CNET he estimates the change will hit 1% to 2% of subscribers.

“These are low-usage, glove-box case scenarios.”

For most customers, the shutdown should pass unnoticed. Modern smartphones depend on 4G LTE and 5G, not 2G, and T-Mobile says users moving off legacy devices will gain faster data, newer features including T-Satellite satellite data service, and better 911 location accuracy.

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Why T-Mobile kept 2G running this long

2G dates back to the 1990s, when it introduced digital signals, encrypted voice calls, and SMS texting. T-Mobile’s rivals exited the standard years ago: AT&T shut down 2G in 2017, and Verizon followed in 2020. T-Mobile had already retired its 3G network in 2022, alongside Verizon and Sprint.

T-Mobile says one reason it kept 2G active longer was to support some international roaming users whose carriers did not support Voice over LTE, or VoLTE, for calls. The final shutdown comes after the company retired older network security standards in April.

Customers still using very old devices may also be affected by broader plan changes. Starting this month, T-Mobile is moving users off many retired plans and onto current 5G plans, with some seeing price increases of up to $6 per line.