Understanding the 2G Sunset: What is it?
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2G is shutting down. What does it mean for you?
The 2G sunset is the gradual closure of older mobile networks. If your GPS tracker relies on 2G, here are the three things to know.
Older trackers are affected
2G-only trackers, including the original Cobblestone and Cobblestone Pro, need these networks to send location updates.
Shutdown dates vary
Operators are closing 2G at different times. Where you use your tracker and which networks it can access both matter.
Plan your move to 4G
When compatible 2G service disappears, a 2G-only tracker cannot send new locations. A suitable 4G tracker removes that reliance on 2G.
Considering a Cobblestone battery replacement? A new battery restores power, but cannot add 4G or restore a missing 2G connection. Before ordering, check whether your tracker can still connect where you use it. If you are unsure, ask our support team. The country list below is a starting point, not a guarantee for your tracker.
When is 2G shutting down in Europe?
The table below covers selected European markets and the operator announcements or regulatory guidance we could verify. These are network timelines, not a coverage guarantee for your tracker. A network remaining open does not necessarily mean your SIM can use it.
| Country | What has been announced? |
|---|---|
| Denmark | Norlys says it has not yet set a final 2G shutdown date. This is not a date or commitment for every Danish network. |
| Norway | Telia closed its 2G network in 2025. Telenor plans to close its network on 31 December 2027, according to Norwegian regulator Nkom. Norway did not lose all 2G networks in 2025. |
| Sweden | Tele2 and Telenor closed their 2G networks in 2025. Telia plans to retain 2G until the end of 2027. See the Swedish regulator's update. |
| France | Orange began regional closures in March 2026, with its wider shutdown scheduled from 22 September to 20 October 2026, excluding Mayotte. Other operators have their own schedules; this is not a single national deadline. |
| Germany | Telekom targets 30 June 2028, Vodafone September 2028 and Telefónica the end of 2028, according to Bundesnetzagentur. Do not assume any limited service retained for specific applications will be available to your tracker. |
| The Netherlands | KPN will stop 2G on 1 December 2027. It began removing access for customers who no longer need 2G in March 2026. This is KPN's timetable, not a deadline for every Dutch network. |
| United Kingdom | EE plans to begin switching off 2G in May 2029, O2 from summer 2029 and Vodafone during 2030. O2 began withdrawing 2G access for inbound roaming SIMs on 1 October 2025. See Ofcom's guidance for connected devices. The older 2033 headline should not be treated as a service guarantee. |
| Finland | The obligation to maintain 2G ends at the end of 2029; operators can close their networks after that. Traficom's guidance does not mean all networks will close on that date. |
| Estonia | Telia has said it does not plan to start closing 2G before 2029. This is not confirmation of a complete shutdown in 2029, or a commitment from every Estonian operator. |
| Czech Republic | ČTÚ describes an obligation to maintain 2G until at least the end of June 2028, subject to a low-demand exception. This is a minimum service requirement, not a confirmed shutdown date. |
| Latvia | 2G has not disappeared from every Latvian network. LMT still lists 2G among its IoT network technologies. Check the networks accessible to your SIM. |
| Portugal | Vodafone's Portuguese announcement concerned 3G, not 2G. Its group plans to phase out remaining European 2G networks by 2030, with timing varying by country. |
What about other countries? Orange's published group roadmap includes a 2G phase-out by 2030 in markets including Belgium, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain, depending on local plans. That is an operator roadmap, not a deadline for every network in those countries. For Lithuania, Slovenia and other markets, check the relevant operator announcements before relying on a shutdown date.
Plans can change. A country missing from this table does not mean it has no shutdown plans. Check the latest operator information and ask your device provider about your specific SIM and service.
What does the 2G shutdown mean for a GPS tracker?
A GPS tracker needs to do two things: work out its position and send that position to you. Satellites help with the first part. A mobile network handles the second.
When a 2G-only tracker loses access to a compatible network, it cannot send new location updates to the app. It may still be able to calculate a GPS position, but that does not help you see its current location remotely.
This is also why a working battery does not guarantee working tracking. And when a vehicle crosses a border, the networks it can access may change.
What should original Cobblestone owners do?
The original Cobblestone has been discontinued. It and the original Cobblestone Pro use 2G hardware. Discontinuation does not automatically stop an existing tracker from working, but continued operation depends on battery power and access to compatible 2G service.
- Check your tracker model. The original Cobblestone and Cobblestone Pro are different from Cobblestone 2.0.
- Check where you use it. Consider every country your car, boat, trailer or equipment travels through.
- Ask about actual connectivity. A national shutdown date cannot tell you how long your individual tracker will remain connected. Contact our support team if you are unsure.
- Plan your replacement. If you depend on tracking, arrange the move to a suitable 4G device before connectivity becomes a problem.
Can I upgrade my original Cobblestone to 4G?
A software update, a new battery or a different SIM cannot turn a 2G modem into a 4G modem. Moving from the original Cobblestone to 4G means replacing the tracker with a model that has 4G hardware.
Which GPS tracker should I choose after 2G?
Cobblestone 2.0 is the next generation of Cobblestone. Gemstone is another option if you want longer battery life between replacements. Both use 4G LTE-M and NB-IoT connectivity, so standard tracking does not depend on keeping 2G networks running.
| Feature | Cobblestone 2.0 | Gemstone |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile connectivity | 4G LTE-M and NB-IoT | 4G LTE-M and NB-IoT |
| Battery life* | Up to 2 years | Up to 6 years |
| Battery replacement | 3 standard AA batteries; alkaline or lithium. Batteries not included. | Replaceable battery pack, available from our webshop |
| Rated protection | IP66 | IP68 |
| Standard tracking | Built-in SIM; no subscription required | Built-in SIM; no subscription required |
*Battery life is based on one position update per day. More frequent tracking uses more battery. Optional Premium features, including indoor positioning, are available separately. Check the product page for current country coverage before ordering.
Explore Cobblestone 2.0 →
Explore Gemstone →
Why are 2G networks shutting down?
Think of mobile frequencies as lanes on a road. There is only so much space, and operators want to use more of it for the networks people and businesses use today.
Closing 2G frees up frequencies and resources for newer services. It also reduces the need to maintain several generations of network equipment at once. Modern networks offer better capacity, improved security features and more efficient ways to carry data.
Mobile network operators set their shutdown plans, within local regulatory requirements. GPS tracker manufacturers do not set those dates, but we can help customers understand the changes and choose suitable replacement devices.
A few common questions about the 2G sunset
Does the 2G shutdown affect GPS satellites?
No. The shutdown concerns mobile networks, not GPS satellites. A tracker can still lose its ability to report its position if the mobile connection it relies on disappears.
Will a new SIM keep a 2G tracker working?
A different SIM may change which networks a compatible device can access, but it cannot add 4G capability to 2G-only hardware. For an original Cobblestone, contact us before making any changes.
Will my tracker keep working until the final national shutdown date?
Not necessarily. Local coverage, roaming agreements and restrictions on particular SIMs can affect service earlier. The UK's withdrawal of O2 2G access for inbound roaming SIMs is one example.
Is 4G tracking guaranteed forever?
No mobile technology comes with a permanent availability guarantee. Choosing a suitable 4G tracker removes reliance on 2G, but service still depends on compatible networks and coverage where the device is used.
Not sure which tracker you have, or what the changes mean for you? Get in touch with Copenhagen Trackers and we will help you work through the options.