The 2G and 3G network shutdowns are not a future problem for most IoT teams — they are an active one. Operators across North America, Europe, the Nordic markets, and several major markets in Asia have already switched off 2G and 3G networks or are in active decommissioning phases. The devices that relied on those networks have either been migrated, replaced, or have already stopped working.
For device fleets that are still on 2G or 3G, the planning question is no longer whether to act but how to act efficiently. The challenge is that full fleet replacement is expensive, logistically complex, and in many cases unnecessary. The right migration path depends on the device architecture, the deployment context, and how much physical access is available to the installed base. This article covers the approaches that give IoT operations teams options beyond a forklift replacement.
Understanding what the shutdown actually means for your devices
2G and 3G shutdown means that the radio access network, the towers and base stations that devices connect to, is being decommissioned. Devices that only support 2G or 3G radio standards cannot connect to 4G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT networks because they do not have the hardware to do so. This is a hardware constraint, not a SIM or software issue: no connectivity provider can route a 2G-only module onto a 4G network.
The distinction matters because some devices appear to be 2G or 3G devices but actually contain multi-mode modems that support newer standards in addition to legacy ones. A device specified as a 2G fallback device may have LTE-M or LTE Cat 1 capability that was never activated. Before planning a full replacement programme, auditing the actual modem capabilities of the installed fleet is the right first step, a proportion of devices may be migratable without any hardware change.
The three migration paths
Path 1: SIM-only migration for capable modems
For devices with multi-mode modems that support 4G, LTE-M, or NB-IoT alongside 2G/3G, migration may be achievable with a SIM change. The existing modem can operate on the new network standard; what it needs is a SIM configured for that standard and a connectivity provider with coverage on the relevant technology.
This is the lowest-cost migration path and works without physical device replacement. It requires a SIM swap at the device level (unless the device is eUICC-capable, in which case it may be achievable over the air) and testing to confirm the modem behaviour on the new technology particularly important for LTE-M and NB-IoT where power mode configurations such as PSM and eDRX may need to be verified against the application’s transmission requirements.
Path 2: Remote reprovisioning via eUICC
For devices with eUICC-capable SIMs, migration from 2G/3G to a new network technology may be achievable entirely over the air, without any physical access to the device. A new connectivity profile supporting LTE-M, NB-IoT, or 4G LTE can be provisioned remotely to the device’s eUICC, and the device switches to the new profile without field intervention.
This path is only available for devices that were deployed with eUICC-capable SIMs and where the device modem supports the target network technology. For fleet operators who have been deploying eUICC-enabled devices over recent years, this may represent a significant proportion of the installed base. For older deployments with traditional physical SIMs, physical access is still required.
The case for eUICC in new device designs is directly strengthened by the 2G/3G sunset experience: the cost of remote reprovisioning versus field replacement is substantial, and the operational disruption of a physical swap programme across a large installed base is significant. Building eUICC into new device architectures now is the investment that makes the next network transition manageable without a full fleet replacement.
Path 3: Phased hardware replacement with technology upgrade
For devices with 2G or 3G-only modems, hardware replacement is unavoidable. The question for operations teams is how to manage the replacement programme efficiently: which devices to prioritise, which technology to replace with, and how to phase the work to minimise operational disruption.
The technology choice for replacement modems should account for both current coverage and the application’s specific requirements. LTE-M is the right choice for devices that need mobile connectivity, support voice, or have moderate bandwidth requirements. NB-IoT is the right choice for stationary, low-power devices with infrequent small payload transmissions. 4G LTE remains appropriate for higher-bandwidth applications. A device that replaces a 2G asset tracker with an NB-IoT module may be making a good power efficiency decision; a device that replaces a 2G vehicle tracker with NB-IoT may be introducing coverage and latency problems that the application cannot tolerate.
Network technology selection for migration
The migration is an opportunity to make a better technology choice than was possible when the original devices were deployed. 2G and early 3G deployments predate LTE-M and NB-IoT, which were standardised specifically for IoT use cases. The technology decision for replacement hardware should be made on current and future network coverage, not legacy defaults.
LTE-M provides broadband-equivalent speed for IoT, supports voice, has good mobility handling for devices that move, and is available across major markets in North America, Europe, Japan, South Korea, and Australia. NB-IoT provides narrowband connectivity optimised for low-power stationary devices, with deep building penetration characteristics that make it useful for metering and infrastructure monitoring in enclosed or underground installations. Many markets have both LTE-M and NB-IoT coverage available, and selecting the right technology for each application segment within a fleet is more operationally valuable than standardising on a single technology for all devices regardless of their requirements.
Managing the transition on the connectivity platform
A migration programme affecting thousands of devices across multiple sites or countries needs connectivity platform support that matches the operational scale. Bulk SIM operations — activating, configuring, or migrating SIM profiles in batches of up to 1,000 devices per operation — reduce the manual overhead of managing large-scale transitions. API-driven provisioning allows the migration to be triggered programmatically from device management systems rather than managed through a portal.
Historical CDR data per device provides the baseline for the migration audit: which devices are still transmitting on legacy networks, what their consumption patterns are, and whether any anomalous usage suggests a device has already lost coverage and stopped reporting. Per-device network registration data identifies devices that have switched to 4G fallback coverage, indicating a 2G or 3G sunset has already affected their primary network in that location.
Planning a 2G or 3G migration programme?
The IoT SIM Connectivity Buyer Guide 2026 includes a migration framework covering technology selection, eUICC architecture, and the questions to ask any connectivity provider.
Download the IoT SIM Connectivity Buyer Guide 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can I migrate 2G devices to LTE-M without hardware replacement?
Only if the device modem supports LTE-M. Many devices marketed as 2G devices contain multi-mode modems with additional standard support that was never activated. Auditing the actual modem specification of the installed fleet — checking the modem datasheet rather than the device specification sheet — is the first step. If the modem supports LTE-M or NB-IoT, a SIM change or eUICC reproof may be sufficient. If the modem is 2G or 3G only, hardware replacement is unavoidable.
What is the difference between LTE-M and NB-IoT for devices replacing 2G?
LTE-M is the appropriate replacement for 2G devices that are mobile, support voice, or have moderate bandwidth requirements. It provides broadband-equivalent speeds for IoT, handles mobility well, and is available across major markets globally. NB-IoT is appropriate for stationary, low-power devices with infrequent small payload transmissions — fixed sensors, meters, and monitoring equipment. Replacing a 2G vehicle tracker with NB-IoT would typically be the wrong choice due to NB-IoT’s limited mobility handling. Replacing a fixed smart meter with NB-IoT would typically be a good choice due to the power efficiency benefits.
How does eUICC help with the 2G/3G sunset?
eUICC allows connectivity profiles to be updated remotely without physical access to the device. For devices with eUICC-capable SIMs and modems that support the target network technology, migration from 2G/3G to LTE-M or NB-IoT can be completed over the air rather than requiring a field visit. For large installed bases in physically constrained locations — elevators, smart meters, remote infrastructure — the cost difference between over-the-air migration and field replacement is substantial. Building eUICC into new device designs now also future-proofs against the next network transition.
What happens to devices in markets where 2G is still available?
2G shutdown timelines vary significantly by market. Some operators have extended 2G availability specifically to support IoT deployments that cannot migrate quickly. In some European markets, 2G extensions have been agreed between regulators and operators to accommodate IoT transition timelines. This means devices in markets with active 2G coverage are not immediately at risk of shutdown, but the extension periods are finite and the operational planning for migration should not be deferred until the extension expires. Current market status should be confirmed with a connectivity provider that tracks operator announcements across the relevant territories.
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