Connecting the nation to the networks it needs

Back in January I wrote about the evolution of our mobile network in the three decades since the launch of 2G in the early 1990s. We’ve spent the months since liaising with the Government and Ofcom and, most importantly, our customers about how best to phase out 2G in support of the UK’s strategy to fully embrace modern mobile networks – which are more secure, more reliable and more powerful.

Having first spoken in 2021 about our intention to retire 2G by the end of this decade, we will begin closing the network from May 2029, ensuring all customers are able to use our 4G, 5G or Internet of Things (IoT) networks.

Just like other nations which have already successfully said goodbye to 2G – such as Australia and Canada – this UK-wide move will deliver a significant boost in digital connectivity for our customers.

On top of that, harnessing the power of modern mobile networks will also deliver a huge boost to the UK economy, with new research showing how 5G connectivity can help unlock up to £230 billion for the nation.

Customer-first approach

Having been the first operator in the UK to safely and responsibly retire 3G, we understand what is needed to navigate this multi-year journey in a way that supports customers at every stage.

For our previous 3G closure, we put comprehensive support in place, both online and in-person, and our approach included:

• Extensive collaboration with the Government, Ofcom and broader industry groups (including the telecare industry).
• Conducting localised trial switch-offs to inform our nationwide approach and steadily phase out customer reliance on the older technology.
• Working with charity partners to deliver skills training to more than 4,000 people aged 65+ so they felt comfortable to transition to a modern mobile network.
• Being the first operator to offer free 4G phones to consumer customers registered as vulnerable.
• Repurposing spectrum used for 3G services to improve the performance of 4G and 5G connectivity in thousands of postcodes across the UK.

We intend to take a similar approach now to 2G retirement and will be contacting all 2G customers several times in the years ahead before we make any changes.

That is important because our goal here is clear: to ensure nobody is left behind and everybody feels the benefits of improved mobile connectivity.

New age needs new technology

The way we all use mobile connectivity has evolved – whether it’s for video calls, AI or IoT tools, livestreaming or online gaming, people across the UK need a secure and reliable network to support them every day.

2G has delivered the basic voice, text and data services it was designed for, but it was built for our needs at the end of the 20th Century. Major advancements in mobile technology have seen its use fall to record lows, with Ofcom’s research finding that less than 0.1% of all mobile connections on EE are via 2G – the lowest of any UK operator.

That’s no surprise given our 4G network provides mobile connectivity to over 99% of the population and 90% of the UK’s landmass, including many of the most rural communities. Our 5G network has also grown rapidly to deliver coverage to more than 87% of the population and we now have the highest proportion of network connections on 5G of any UK operator.

Backing UK businesses

While we recognise that 2G still plays a role for some of our customers – especially businesses who may use it as part of their operations to transfer small amounts of data between devices, sensors or machines – any organisation still relying on technology that’s nearly 35 years old is missing out on the benefits and growth opportunities modern mobile networks can deliver.

Belfast Harbour is a great example of what can be achieved when businesses embrace new mobile technologies. Every year more than 1.75 million people and over half a million freight vehicles arrive and depart through the port, while 24 million tonnes of goods are managed and carried by ferries, container ships and cargo vessels. Having access to unparalleled coverage and capacity via our modern 5G mobile network enabled it to increase its use of AI, IoT, and connected vehicles, helping to drive efficiencies across transport, logistics, supply chain and shipping, as well as boost operational productivity. Taking the step to upgrade its connectivity helped it enhance services for customers, support the local economy and achieve its ambition of becoming one of the world’s leading regional smart ports.

We are actively working with all our 2G business customers to enable them to future-proof their own connectivity and reap similar rewards.

The future starts now

It is also important to say that while we have not sold 2G-only phones for many years, any customers still using these will be given plenty of notice before they need to do anything. But, given that 2G-only mobile phones cannot access many newer applications and are inherently less secure than modern devices, anyone wanting to upgrade their mobile experience can do that now.

In the meantime, we will be optimising our 2G network and investing to strengthen our 4G, 5G and IoT connectivity even further, so that by the end of the decade all our customers – wherever they are in the UK – can benefit from enhanced network security, faster data speeds, and greater capacity and coverage.

When we step into the 2030s, the retirement of our 2G network will mark a significant step forward on the journey towards a better-connected future for both our customers and the nation, and we begin that journey today.