T-Mobile customers using very old devices will lose connectivity next month
T-Mobile is shutting down 2G.
For real this time. | Image by PCMag
American carriers are already prepping for a 6G rollout in 2030. Given that timeline, it's impressive that T-Mobile is only now shutting down 2G, a cellular network technology that launched in 1991.
The T-Mobile Network Evolution page has been updated to inform customers that its 2G GSM network will be retired on August 3.
While other carriers pulled the plug on 2G years ago — AT&T in 2017 and Verizon in 2020 — T-Mobile wanted to give customers ample time to switch from legacy devices. The extended support also filled the coverage gap created by other carriers' GSM shutdowns. T-Mobile Chief Network Officer Ankur Kapoor told Fierce Wireless that the company didn't want to abandon its customers.
Another reason for maintaining the 2G network this long was international tourists. Many globetrotters visiting the US had LTE data but lacked VoLTE, meaning they relied on circuit switchied (CS) voice calling. T-Mobile has spent the last two and a half years working with global carriers to ensure travelers won't suddenly find themselves stranded without service.
The remaining 2G user base is negligible, comprising mainly older IoT devices.
T-Mobile has informed the remaining customers using its 2G network that they need to migrate to a supported technology.
Carriers usually retire older tech to reallocate spectrum to newer cellular generations. The company began dismantling its 2G network in September 2024, impacting capacity and coverage. The company initially planned to shut down 2G completely in 2025.
To ease the transition, it has been offering free 5G devices to customers.
T-Mobile has been gradually switching off 2G across the US, though the activity appears to have ramped up recently. One BlackBerry 8320 user found out a month ago that they only had emergency service left. Apparently, 2G was shut down across T-Mobile's Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), such as Mint, last month.
T-Mobile switched off 3G in July 2022. 2G outlasted the newer tech because a massive web of older infrastructure, such as smart meters, vending machines, ATM networks, and Machine-to-Machine services, relied on it.
Switching off 2G will allow T-Mobile to free up resources, simplify operations, and save on energy consumption costs. The cost of operating three networks at a time was likely very high.
About time
The T-Mobile Network Evolution page has been updated to inform customers that its 2G GSM network will be retired on August 3.
As of August 3, 2026, T-Mobile's 2G GSM network will be retired.
T-Mobile
While other carriers pulled the plug on 2G years ago — AT&T in 2017 and Verizon in 2020 — T-Mobile wanted to give customers ample time to switch from legacy devices. The extended support also filled the coverage gap created by other carriers' GSM shutdowns. T-Mobile Chief Network Officer Ankur Kapoor told Fierce Wireless that the company didn't want to abandon its customers.
Another reason for maintaining the 2G network this long was international tourists. Many globetrotters visiting the US had LTE data but lacked VoLTE, meaning they relied on circuit switchied (CS) voice calling. T-Mobile has spent the last two and a half years working with global carriers to ensure travelers won't suddenly find themselves stranded without service.
The remaining 2G user base is negligible, comprising mainly older IoT devices.
T-Mobile retained GSM longer than other carriers to give customers and partners additional time to migrate legacy devices. Other carriers shut down their GSM networks earlier, and T-Mobile helped fill that gap by maintaining support while customers transitioned to newer technologies.
T-Mobile spokesperson, July 2026
Time to upgrade
T-Mobile has informed the remaining customers using its 2G network that they need to migrate to a supported technology.
Any remaining customers have been informed and provided ample time to migrate to modern network technologies.
T-Mobile spokesperson, July 2026
Carriers usually retire older tech to reallocate spectrum to newer cellular generations. The company began dismantling its 2G network in September 2024, impacting capacity and coverage. The company initially planned to shut down 2G completely in 2025.
To ease the transition, it has been offering free 5G devices to customers.
How will the 2G shutdown affect you?
Finally happening
T-Mobile has been gradually switching off 2G across the US, though the activity appears to have ramped up recently. One BlackBerry 8320 user found out a month ago that they only had emergency service left. Apparently, 2G was shut down across T-Mobile's Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), such as Mint, last month.
I've been happily using a BlackBerry 8320 for a few months now, only to discover this morning that I now only had emergency service. Lots of fiddling about and waiting on hold later, I was informed by the Mint technician that today the 2G network was shut down across all T-Mobile MVNOs.
Kaktusman, Reddit user, June 2026
Received notice that T-mobile has shutdown 2G in parts of northern Ohio
dt7cv, Reddit user, July 2026
Lasted longer than 3G
T-Mobile switched off 3G in July 2022. 2G outlasted the newer tech because a massive web of older infrastructure, such as smart meters, vending machines, ATM networks, and Machine-to-Machine services, relied on it.
Switching off 2G will allow T-Mobile to free up resources, simplify operations, and save on energy consumption costs. The cost of operating three networks at a time was likely very high.
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