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2G and 3G Shutdown Guide: Migration Planning for IoT Deployments

Operators worldwide are shutting down 2G and 3G networks. For enterprises running connected products on these technologies, this is not simply a network upgrade. It is a lifecycle decision affecting hardware, firmware, roaming, and long-term service continuity.

This updated strategy guide provides a practical framework for evaluating your replacement options and planning the transition with minimal disruption.

Download the guide to understand how the 2G and 3G shutdown affects your IoT deployment and which connectivity path is most appropriate for your use case.

Sunset Strategy Guide: Adapting Connected Products for the Post-2G/3G Era

Whether you’re safeguarding existing IoT solutions or embarking on new projects, our guide will help you prepare for the impending network shutdown and transition to future-proof solutions in the 5G era.

What This Guide Covers

This edition expands on our earlier 2G/3G shutdown white paper and includes detailed guidance on selecting and implementing replacement technologies.

Inside the guide, you will find:

  • Regional 2G and 3G shutdown considerations and timeline implications
  • Risks to long-lifecycle IoT deployments
  • Hardware, firmware, and device management constraints
  • Migration pathways to LTE-M, NB-IoT, and LTE Cat-1
  • Roaming and global fleet considerations
  • The impact of firmware over-the-air updates on technology choice
  • When LTE Cat-1 may be more practical than Mobile IoT alternatives

Rather than presenting abstract trends, the guide focuses on operational trade-offs that influence total cost of ownership and long-term viability.

Who This Guide Is For

This resource is intended for:

  • CTOs and technical decision-makers responsible for connected products
  • IoT product owners managing long device lifecycles
  • Connectivity managers overseeing international deployments
  • Organisations operating 2G or 3G-based device fleets

If your devices rely on legacy cellular networks, or if you are designing products that must remain operational for 10–15 years, this guide will help clarify the migration implications.

Key Technology Considerations

Selecting a replacement for 2G or 3G is not a like-for-like upgrade. Each alternative comes with distinct characteristics.

The guide compares:

  • LTE-M: Mobility support, balanced bandwidth, suitability for evolving use cases
  • NB-IoT: Deep indoor coverage, constrained mobility, static deployments
  • LTE Cat-1 / Cat-1 bis: Mature global coverage, higher throughput, strong roaming support

Global availability, roaming agreements, firmware update requirements, and device behaviour all influence the correct choice. Migration complexity varies depending on hardware constraints, software architecture, and regulatory context.

From Awareness to Implementation

If you are looking for a general overview of the 2G and 3G shutdown and its regional timelines, you can explore our 2G/3G sunset overview page.

This guide goes further by outlining how to evaluate and implement a replacement strategy for connected products.

Enterprises that approach the transition early can reduce risk, avoid rushed hardware changes, and align connectivity decisions with long-term product development.

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