Orange completes 2G network shutdown

As of October 20, Orange has completed the shutdown of its 2G network in the last 43 departments that had not previously been affected. This marks the full decommissioning of the 2G network in all areas of metropolitan France.

Benefits for 4G and 5G networks

The shutdown allows Orange to reclaim 5 MHz of frequencies that were previously allocated to the 2G network. The operator plans to reallocate these frequencies to its 4G and 5G networks, which should slightly improve their capacity and performance.

Orange is first among French operators

Orange is the first major French mobile operator to fully decommission its 2G network in metropolitan France. SFR and RED by SFR are scheduled to follow in November 2026, while Bouygues Telecom and B&You will shut down their 2G networks between November 1 and November 15, with some areas transitioning earlier.

Limited impact on data rates

According to the website AlloForfait, the use of these additional 5 MHz by 4G and 5G networks will not result in a dramatic increase in data rates. However, Orange states that the modernization of its network will still provide some benefits, including better security and energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency and modernization

Orange explains that 4G and 5G networks use more advanced encryption and authentication methods, improving security. The French Federation of Telecommunications notes that transmitting a gigabyte of data via 2G can consume up to 500 times more energy than in 5G, due to the slower data transfer speeds of 2G.

Impact on subscribers

Subscribers with phones that only support 2G can no longer make calls on Orange's network. The operator encourages affected customers to switch to devices compatible with 4G VoLTE or 5G. Phones that only support 3G will still function for a few more years, as Orange plans to shut down its 3G network in 2028.