Orange has started turning off its 2G mobile network in the Basque Country and nine departments in the Southwest, as well as in Nice. The rest of the metropolitan area will follow on October 6 and October 20, 2026. SFR and Bouygues Telecom plan to shut down their 2G networks by the end of 2026. Orange’s 3G network will be phased out from the end of 2028, with SFR also planning a 3G shutdown by the end of 2028. Bouygues Telecom, however, will keep its 3G network active until the end of 2029. Free Mobile does not have its own 2G network and uses Orange’s network for roaming, so its users will lose 2G access at the same times as Orange, depending on the region. For 3G, Free’s roaming on Orange’s network will continue until December 31, 2028, to allow Free to shut down its own 3G network. According to the latest report from the Arcep observatory, published on September 24, 1.7 million SIM cards were still in use in June 2026 in devices that only support 2G networks in metropolitan France. These older devices will no longer be able to make calls or send SMS messages once their operator turns off the 2G service. To ensure continued functionality, users should check if their smartphone is compatible with 4G and/or 5G networks. This can be done by checking the phone’s settings under “Settings,” then “Mobile Network,” and finally “Preferred Network Type.” If the options 4G or 5G are present, it is a good sign. A field test can also be revealing: disabling Wi-Fi and observing the network icon on the screen can indicate if the device is picking up 4G or 5G networks for internet. For calls, the device must support 4G Voice (VoLTE), which can be checked in the network settings. Most smartphones sold since 2018 support VoLTE, but older models and some entry-level phones may not. Operators may need to activate VoLTE on their end, so contacting customer service may be necessary. A practical test involves enabling 4G, disabling Wi-Fi, and making a call. If the 4G icon remains displayed during the call, it means VoLTE is working correctly. Devices that only support 2G will no longer make calls or send SMS after October 6 or October 20, depending on the department, and by mid-December with SFR and Bouygues Telecom. 3G devices will continue to work until the end of 2028 (end of 2029 with Bouygues Telecom). Other connected devices, such as tablets, smartwatches, and connected cameras, may also be affected, so checking their 4G compatibility is recommended. The shutdown of 2G and 3G networks allows operators to free up frequency bands, which are limited resources, to focus on 4G and 5G. A 4G smartphone compatible with VoLTE is sufficient to continue making calls, but a 5G model is the most durable choice for the future. 5G networks use different frequency bands, some of which are already used by 2G and 3G networks. Recycling these bands can improve network coverage and capacity without requiring new infrastructure.