Is 4G also about to be phased out? US carriers are preparing to shut down 4G networks

As 5G enters the second half, the global phase - out of 2G/3G networks is reaching its peak.

The latest research results released by GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association) show that as of the end of June 2025, GSA confirmed that 83 countries or regions have completed, planned, or are in the process of shutting down their 2G/3G networks. At the end of last year, this number was 77. GSA believes that 2025 is a crucial year, with the planned 2G/3G shutdown activities peaking. It is estimated that 37 2G networks and 39 3G networks will be shut down globally.

China is also actively promoting the shutdown of 2G/3G networks. This year, operators in multiple provinces have issued announcements that their 2G or 3G networks will be phased out in an orderly manner. A person engaged in 2G/3G network phase - out work at a provincial - level operator told a reporter from IT Times that most of the old networks were dismantled by the end of last year, and the equipment assets were scrapped before May this year.

Some aggressive operators, such as T - Mobile, a major US operator, are planning to "target" their 4G networks in order to further simplify the network architecture and provide more spectrum "ammunition" for the development of 5G and even future 6G.

The "Flood Peak" of 2G/3G Shutdowns is Approaching

In 1991, Europe launched the world's first GSM system. Since then, the commercial use of 2G networks has a history of 34 years. In 2001, the world's first 3G system was commercially launched in Japan. Since then, 3G has a history of 24 years.

As time goes by, 4G and 5G have arrived one after another. However, operators do not feel the "happiness" of having 2G/3G/4G/5G co - existing but rather increasing pain. Not only is the network system architecture becoming more and more complex and the operation and maintenance costs are getting higher and higher, but also the frequency resources are gradually running short.

Especially with the maturity and wide application of VoLTE and VoNR, the necessity of 2G/3G as the "voice backup network" is approaching zero.

Therefore, the wave of 2G/3G network phase - outs has been sweeping the globe for many years.

In the United States, the 3G network was completely phased out in 2023. After T - Mobile officially shut down its GSM network in February 2024, 2G networks have also been completely phased out in the US. Since then, there are no longer 2G and 3G networks in the US, only 4G and 5G networks.

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Data released by GSA shows that as of the end of June 2025, 131 operators worldwide have completed or planned to shut down their 2G networks, of which 51 have completed the shutdown; 147 operators are promoting the shutdown of 3G networks, of which 78 have completed the transition. Most of the operators phasing out the old networks are upgrading their networks to 4G or 5G. GSA believes that the shutdown of 2G/3G networks will reach its peak in 2025.

Not only operators are promoting the phase - out of 2G/3G networks, but government departments are also playing a role. For example, the UK government requires the 2G/3G networks to be phased out by 2033.

In China, since the issuance of 5G licenses in 2019, there has been a continuous call for shutting down 2G/3G networks.

In October 2019, four months after the issuance of 5G licenses, relevant officials from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology clearly stated publicly that the conditions for phasing out 2G/3G networks in China have gradually matured, and they will promote the gradual phase - out of 2G/3G networks. In 2021, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology clearly proposed in the "14th Five - Year Plan for the Development of the Information and Communication Industry" to "accelerate the phase - out of 2G and 3G networks and coordinate the coordinated development of 4G and 5G networks."

Domestic operators are also actively promoting the phase - out of 2G or 3G networks. Relevant news shows that in 2025, China Mobile clearly adopted a strategy of promoting the 2G network phase - out province by province. According to the WeChat official account "Changhua Duanshuo", as of June 2025, China Mobile has 14 provinces (such as Hunan, Guangdong, and Shanxi) with clear phase - out plans, and other provinces are gradually following up. It is expected that most regions will complete the phase - out within 2025.

For example, Guangdong Mobile said in its "Announcement on the Orderly Phase - out of 2G Networks": "After more than thirty years of service, the historical mission of the 2G network has been completed... The China Mobile 2G network in Guangdong Province will gradually withdraw from service... At that time, terminals, tariff packages, and SIM cards that only support the 2G network will no longer be usable."

Another person from a provincial - level operator told the reporter that they have completed the phase - out of most 2G/3G networks in their region. "The relevant frequency bands have been cleared and are used to improve the breadth and depth of 4G and 5G coverage."

T - Mobile Fires the "First Shot" in 4G Network Phase - out

Just as the peak of 2G/3G network phase - outs is approaching, a major news is spreading in the industry that some operators are planning to phase out their 4G LTE networks.

The one doing this is none other than T - Mobile, a major US operator with an aggressive style. According to foreign media reports, T - Mobile plans to gradually phase out its 4G LTE network starting from early 2026 and re - cultivate the 4G frequency bands to expand its 5G SA (Stand - Alone) network.

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Of course, this is a long - term plan. In early 2026, all newly connected devices of T - Mobile will support 5G SA. In 2028, most of the LTE spectrum will be re - cultivated for the construction of the 5G stand - alone network, and only a 5MHz bandwidth will be reserved for the Internet of Things business. Finally, by 2035, T - Mobile will shut down its LTE network across the United States.

Among major US operators, T - Mobile used to be a complete "underdog". However, since entering the 5G era, T - Mobile has been growing rapidly in recent years by deploying 5G networks more quickly, offering more attractive prices, and actively embracing the new FWA approach.

The "US Mobile Network Experience Report" released by research institution OpenSignal in June this year shows that the 5G download speed of T - Mobile reaches 252Mbps, far higher than that of AT&T (168Mbps) and Verizon (170Mbps).

In sharp contrast, T - Mobile is at a disadvantage in the 4G network competition. Relevant data shows that T - Mobile's 4G coverage in the US is only 43%, lagging behind Verizon and AT&T.

There is no definite news yet on when Verizon and AT&T will follow up and promote the 4G network phase - out. But undoubtedly, compared with T - Mobile, Verizon and AT&T have a heavier "burden" in 4G, so their pace will be much slower and the difficulties will be much greater.

Verizon and AT&T are more dependent on 4G. Currently, a considerable part of 5G connections are based on the 4G core network, that is, non - stand - alone 5G. Therefore, it will take more time and greater investment to promote the full transition from 4G to 5G.

Industry analysts believe that T - Mobile's preemptive promotion of the 4G network phase - out, which frees up spectrum resources and reduces network operation and maintenance costs, will further consolidate its advantages in 5G development and also prepare in advance for the arrival of 6G, promoting the continuous evolution and change of the US operator market pattern.

This article is from the WeChat official account "IT Times" (ID: vittimes). Author: Qian Lifu, Editor: Qian Lifu and Sun Yan. Republished by 36Kr with permission.