2G

2G (or 2-G) is short for second-generationcellular technology. Second-generation 2G cellular networks were commercially launched
on the GSM standard in Finland by Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) in 1991.[1] Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their
predecessors were that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were significantly more efficient on the spectrum
enabling far greater wireless penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages. 2G
technologies enabled the various networks to provide the services such as text messages, picture messages, and MMS (multimedia
messages). All text messages sent over 2G are digitally encrypted, allowing the transfer of data in such a way that only the intended
receiver can receive and read it.

After 2G was launched, the previous mobile wireless network systems were retroactively dubbed 1G. While radio signals on 1G
networks are analog, radio signals on 2G networks are digital. Both systems use digital signaling to connect the radio towers (which
listen to the devices) to the rest of the mobile system.

With General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), 2G offers a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 50 kbit/s (40 kbit/s in practice).[2]
With EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution), there is a theoretical maximum transfer speed of 1 Mbit/s (500 kbit/s in
practice).[2]

The most common 2G technology was the time division multiple access (TDMA)-based GSM, originally from Europe but used in
most of the world outside North America. Over 60 GSM operators were also using CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz frequency band
(CDMA450) by 2010.[3]

Contents
Evolution
2.5G (GPRS)
2.75G (EDGE)
Past 2G networks
See also
References

Evolution

2.5G (GPRS)
2.5G ("second and a half generation") is used to describe 2G-systems that have implemented a packet-switched domain in addition
to the circuit-switched domain. It doesn't necessarily provide faster service because bundling of timeslots is used for circuit-switched
data services (HSCSD) as well.

2.75G (EDGE)
GPRS networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction of 8PSK encoding. While the symbol rate remained the same at
270.833 samples per second, each symbol carried three bits instead of one. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE),
Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone technology that allows
improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of standard GSM. EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in
2003, initially by AT&T in the United States.

Past 2G networks
2G has been superseded by newer technologies such as 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, and 4G; however, 2G networks are still used in most parts
of the world. Various carriers have made announcements that 2G technology in the United States is in the process of being shut down
so that carriers can reclaim those radio bands and re-purpose them for newer technologies (e.g.
4G LTE).
 Total
Country Network decommission Details
year

AT&T's 2G GSM service was shut down in January 2017. [4][5][6] This
shutdown had a notable impact on the electronic security industry ,
United where many 2G GSM radios were in use for alarm signal
AT&T 2017
States communication to central station dispatch centers. 2G GSM radios
were required to be replaced by newer generation radios to avoid
service outages.[7]
Verizon plans to shut down its 2G and 3GCDMA-based network by 31
United
States
Verizon 2019 December 2019.[8] Making it the first LTE-only network in United
States.

United T-Mobile US has postponed shutdown of their 2G network until

T-Mobile 2020 (TBC)
States 2020.[9]
Telstra closed their GSM network on 1 December 2016, being the first
Australia Telstra 2016
mobile provider in Australia to switch off 2G.[10]
Optus shut down 2G in Western Australia and Northern Territory on 3
Australia Optus 2017 April 2017 and completed the shutdown within the rest of Australia on
1 August 2017.[11]

Australia Vodafone 2018 [12]

Vodafone closed its legacy GSM network on 30 June 2018.
Spark's 2G network (CDMA) was shut down on 31 July 2012. Spark
New Spark
2012 now operates 3G and 4G networks, and was the first mobile provider
Zealand (CDMA)
in New Zealand to switch off 2G.[13]
New
2degrees 2018 2degrees shutdown its 2G network on 15 March 2018.[14]
Zealand

Netherlands T-Mobile 2020 (TBC) T-Mobile Netherlands will shutdown 2G services by 2020.[15]
Telecommunications in Switzerlandis mainly operated by state-owned
Swisscom, and the two privately heldSalt and Sunrise
Switzerland Swisscom 2021 Communications AG as these companies have a license to operate
2G. Swisscom will cease 2G services due to its "public service
requirements" only by 1 January 2021.[16]
Sunrise Communications AGhas announced plans to phase out its
GSM network by the end of 2018. GSM, GPRS and EDGE will be
Switzerland Sunrise 2018 (TBC)
ended by the end of 2018 in favour of expanded 4G and 4G+
coverage.[17]
Singapore Singtel 2017
Singapore M1 2017
Singapore StarHub 2017
Bharti Airtel, the largest carrier will shut down the 2G network later
India Airtel 2019 (TBC)
after 2019.
Reliance Communications, a group led by Reliance ADAG, decided to
Reliance shut down its entire 2G network at the end of November 2017. It is the
India (including 2017 first operator in the country to do so.[18] Also Jio, a second largest
JIO) carrier led by Reliance Industries (RIL) operates as the only 4G-LTE
network in India.
bmobile decommissioned its 2G GSM network in order to roll out its
Trinidad
bmobile 2016 LTE network on Band 2 (1900MHz) on 9 December 2016. bmobile's
and Tobago
2G EDGE network will still be active.

See also
2G spectrum case
 Cliff effect
Dropout
List of mobile phone generations
Mobile radio telephone, also known as 0G
5G

References
1. "Radiolinja's History" (https://web.archive.org/web/20061023212724/http://www .elisa.com/english/index.cfm?t=6). 20
April 2004. Archived fromthe original (http://www.elisa.com/english/index.cfm?t=6&o=6532.50) on 23 October 2006.
Retrieved 23 December 2009.
2. "Wi-Fi and mobile Internet (3G or 4G)"(https://web.archive.org/web/20161012041902/http://www .proximus.be/suppo
rt/en/id_sfaqr_wifi_vs_mob/personal/support/internet/internet-on-the-go/surf-on-3g-or-4g/wi-fi-and-mobile-internet-3g
-or-4g.html?origin=support.en.proximus.be%2Fapp%2Fanswers%2Fdetail%2Fa_id%2F13580) . Proximus. Archived
from the original (http://support.en.belgacom.be/app/answers/detail/a_id/13580)on 12 October 2016. Retrieved
15 October 2017.
3. "CDMA Worldwide" (http://www.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=0&h_technology=999&h_frequency=1).
Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20100130085408/http://www
.cdg.org/worldwide/index.asp?h_area=0&h_techn
ology=999&h_frequency=1)from the original on 30 January 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
4. Gryta, Thomas (3 August 2012)."AT&T to Leave 2G Behind"(https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100008723963904436
87504577567313211264588). Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
5. "AT&T 2G Sunset" (http://povertymobile.com/att_2g_sunset/). povertymobile. 2016-01-20. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
6. "AT&T's Donovan Says 2G Network in 'Soft Lock', Decommissioning to Begin in Coming Months"(http://www.fiercew
ireless.com/wireless/at-t-s-donovan-2g-network-soft-lock-decommissioning-to-begin-coming-months)
.
FierceWireless.com. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
7. "2G Sunset Overview" (http://www.telguard.com/2GSunset/Overview). Telguard. 21 July 2011. Retrieved
26 December 2016.
8. Danno, Mike. "Verizon to Shut Down 2G CDMA 1X Network by the End of 2019" (http://www.fiercewireless.com/nod
e/136241). FierceWireless. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
9. Abent, Eric (14 September 2016)."T-Mobile Takes a Swing at AT&T, Says Its 2G Network Will Stay Active through
2020" (http://www.slashgear.com/t-mobile-takes-a-swing-at-att-says-its-2g-network-will-stay-act
ive-through-2020-144
56049). SlashGear. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
10. Turner, Adam (4 November 2016)."Budget Mobile Customers Brace for Australia's 2G Shutdown"(http://www.smh.c
om.au/technology/technology-news/budget-mobile-customers-brace-for-australias-2g-shutdown-20161103-gshpx5.h
tml). Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 26 December 2016.
11. "2G Network Closure Update"(http://www.optus.com.au/shop/support/answer/2g-network-closure-update?requestTy
pe=NormalRequest&id=5873&typeId=5/)(Press release). Optus. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
12. "We've switched off our 2G network" (https://www.vodafone.com.au/support/network/2G-closure). Vodafone
Australia.
13. "Telecom closes CDMA network"(https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=1082363
7/). The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
14. "2degrees to close down 2G access in March 2018"(https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/company/news-and-media-r
eleases/2degrees-to-close-down-2g-access-in-march-2018/) . 2degrees. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
15. "T-Mobile Netherlands plans GSM shutdownby 2020" (https://www.telecompaper.com/news/t-mobile-nl-prepares-cu
stomers-for-eventual-gsm-shutdown--1178502)
.
16. "Swisscom is equipping its mobile network for the future"(https://www.swisscom.ch/en/about/medien/press-releases/
2015/10/20151008-MM-Swisscom-ruestet-ihr-Mobilfunknetz-fuer-die-Zukunft.html) . Retrieved 2 November 2015.
17. "Sunrise to shut down GSM network by end-2018"(https://www.telecompaper.com/news/sunrise-to-shut-down-gsm-
network-by-end-2018--1200473). Retrieved 20 June 2017.
18. "RComm to Shut Down 2G Network in a Month, Will Continue with 4G Only Network Like JIO"
(https://www.teletechn
ology.in/reliance-shut-down-2g-network).
 Preceded by Succeeded by
Mobile Telephony Generations
1st Generation (1G) 3rd Generation (3G)

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