Orange has announced that it will fully shut down its 2G mobile network in Metropolitan France on October 6 and 20, 2026. This means that devices relying on 2G technology, such as older mobile phones and some IoT (Internet of Things) devices, will no longer be able to connect to the network after these dates. Free, another major French mobile provider, will follow the same schedule because it uses Orange’s 2G infrastructure. The 2G network, introduced in the early 1990s, was the first generation of digital mobile networks, enabling services such as text messaging and basic voice calls. As newer, more efficient technologies like 4G and 5G have become widely available, telecom companies have been gradually phasing out older networks to free up spectrum for modern services and improve network performance. SFR and Bouygues Telecom, the other two major mobile operators in France, have also announced plans to shut down their 2G networks before the end of 2023. This move is part of a broader industry trend to retire outdated network technologies and focus on newer, more advanced systems that support faster data speeds and greater connectivity. Consumers and businesses using 2G-dependent devices are advised to upgrade to newer models or switch to 3G, 4G, or 5G networks to avoid disruption. This transition is expected to improve overall network efficiency and pave the way for emerging technologies like smart cities and expanded IoT capabilities.