The sunsetting of 2G & 3G networks
Operators across the globe have either already shut down 3G services or are planning to do so in the near future. In general, 3G services are being retired sooner than 2G, meaning that 2G will still be available in many countries (especially in Europe) for some time to come.
Networks are calling it sunsetting. But with large numbers of machine-to-machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications still relying on 3G (and 2G) services, owners of these solutions must consider the need for decommissioning, SIM swaps, upgrading and/or complete replacement of devices.
The impact on IoT deployments depends on a number of factors, including (but not limited to) the cellular module in use, the SIM type, the configuration of connectivity and the availability of alternative bearer services. Assessing the likely impact of specific network sunsets on deployments is essential.
The next generation of IoT products will use 4G, 5G and the latest Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies to ensure they remain connected throughout their lifecycle.
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In this guide you will discover:
- sunsetting in more detail, why it’s happening and the impact and timescales
- What will happen to your IoT deployments when 3G (and 2G) services are switched off
- the capabilities and features of alternative connectivity technologies
- The 3 key steps you should take to take to future-proof your existing or planned IoT deployments
To understand the impact on your deployment and for help on how to plan for this change…
Global 2G & 3G Network Sunset Dates
Whilst we will try to maintain this list as accurately as possible, we are not tracking each network globally for updates. Networks not appearing on this table may not have publicly stated their plans for 2G or 3G network sunsets. Officially networks only need to give three months’ notice to confirm the shutdown of network services.
| COUNTRY | NETWORK | SERVICE | CLOSURE | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | Vodafone - Albania | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Argentina | Telecom Argentina | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Australia | Optus | 2G | 2017 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Australia | Vodafone Australia | 2G | 2018 | 2G network closed in 2018 |
| Australia | Telstra | 2G | 2016 | 2G network closed in 2016 |
| Australia | TPG Telecom | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Australia | Telstra | 3G | Jun-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Austria | A1 Telekom Austria | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Austria | T-Mobile Austria | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Bahrain | Bahrain Telecommunications | 2G | Nov-21 | 2G network closed in 2021 |
| Bahrain | Zain Bahrain | 3G | Closure begun in Jul-22 with no end date disclosed | |
| Bangladesh | Grameenphone Ltd | 3G | 2026 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Belgium | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Belgium | Orange | 2G | Dec-30 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Belgium | Telenet | 3G | Sep-24 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Brazil | Sercomtel | 2G | 2016 | 2G network closed in 2016 |
| Bulgaria | Yettel Bulgaria | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| British Virgin Islands | Digicel | 2G | Jul-21 | 2G Network closed in 2021 |
| Bulgaria | A1 Bulgaria | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Cambodia | Smart Axiata | 3G | Jun-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Canada | SaskTel | 2G | Jul-17 | 2G Network closed in 2017 |
| Canada | Rogers | 2G | Dec 21 | 2G not supported from Dec-2021 |
| China | China Mobile | 3G | Dec-20 | 3G network closure in 2020 |
| China | China Unicom | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Columbia | Comunicacion Celular | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Canada | Rogers | 3G | 3G Network closure timing unconfirmed | |
| China | China Unicom | 2G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| China | China Mobile | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Croatia | Hrvatski Telekom | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Columbia | Colombia Movil | 2G | Oct-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Columbia | Comcel | 2G | Feb-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Czech Republic | T-Mobile Czech Republic | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Czech Republic | Vodafone Czech Republic a.s. | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Czech Republic | T-Mobile Czech Republic | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Czech Republic | O2 Czech Republic | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Czech Republic | Vodafone Czech Republic | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Denmark | Nuuday | 3G | May-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | Telenor | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Denmark | Telenor | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | Telia | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | Telia | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | TDC | 3G | May-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | 3 Denmark | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Denmark | Three | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Estonia | Elisa Eesti | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Estonia | Tele2 Eesti Aktsiaseits | 3G | Dec-26 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Estonia | Telia Eesti | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Estonia | Telia Eesti | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Finland | Ålands Telekommunikation | 2G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Finland | DNA | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Finland | Telia Finland | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Finland | Telia Finland | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Finland | DNA | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Finland | Elisa | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| France | Orange France | 3G | Dec-28 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| France | Orange France | 2G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| France | Bouygues Télécom | 3G | No plans announced for 3G network closure | |
| France | Bouygues Télécom | 2G | No plans announced for 2G network closure | |
| France | SFR | 2G | No plans announced for 2G network closure | |
| France | SFR | 3G | No plans announced for 3G network closure | |
| Germany | Telefonica Germany | 2G | No plans announced for 2G network closure | |
| Germany | Deutsche Telekom | 2G | No plans announced for 2G network closure | |
| Germany | Vodafone | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Germany | Deutsche Telekom | 3G | 2021 | 3G Network closure in 2021 |
| Germany | Vodafone | 3G | 2021 | 3G Network closure in 2021 |
| Germany | Telefonica Germany | 3G | 2021 | 3G Network closure in 2021 |
| Greece | Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Greece | Cosmote Mobile Telecommunications | 3G | Feb-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Greece | Vodafone-Panafon Hellenic | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Guam | DOCOMO Pacific | 3G | Nov-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Iceland | Siminn h.f. | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Iceland | Siminn h.f. | 2G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Iceland | Sýn hf. | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Iceland | Sýn hf. | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Greece | Wind Hellas Telecommunications | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Greenland | Tele Greenland | 3G | Jan-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Hong Kong | China Mobile | 2G | Dec-20 | 2G Services withdrawn in Dec 2020 |
| Hong Kong | Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT) | 2G | Sep-21 | 2G network closed in 2021 |
| Hong Kong | Hutchison Telecommunications Hong Kong | 2G | Sep-21 | 2G network closed in 2021 |
| Hong Kong | SmarTone Mobile Communications | 2G | Oct-22 | 2G Services withdrawn in Oct 2022 |
| Hungary | Magyar Telekom | 3G | Jul-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Hungary | Vodafone Hungary | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Hungary | Vodafone Hungary | 3G | Mar-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Hungary | Yettel Hungary | 2G | Dec-28 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Hungary | Yettel Hungary | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| India | Bharat Sanchar Nigam | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| India | Bharti Airtel Limited | 2G | Dec-23 | Phasing out 2G services from Dec-23 |
| India | Vodafone | 3G | Apr-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| India | BSNL | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Indonesia | PT Telekomunikasi Selular | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Indonesia | PT Hutchinson 3 Indonesia | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Indonesia | XL Axiata | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Indonesia | XL Axiata | 3G | Mar-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Ireland | Vodafone Ireland | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Israel | Cellcom Israel | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Israel | Cellcom Israel | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Israel | Pelephone Communication | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Israel | Partner Communications | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Israel | Partner Communications | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Italy | Telecom Italia | 2G | Dec-29 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Italy | Telecom Italia | 3G | Oct-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Italy | Vodafone Italia | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Italy | Vodafone Italia | 3G | Feb-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Japan | KDDI | 3G | Mar-22 | CDMA 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Japan | SoftBank | 3G | Jan-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Japan | NTT DOCOMO | 3G | Mar-26 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Latvia | Latvijas Mobilais Telefons | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Latvia | SIA BITE Mobile | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Latvia | Tele2 SIA | 3G | Dec-26 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Liechtenstein | Swisscom Ltd | 2G | 2021 | 2G Services withdrawn in 2021 |
| Liechtenstein | Swisscom Ltd | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Lithuania | Bite Lithuania | 2G | Dec-28 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Lithuania | Bite Lithuania | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Lithuania | Telia Lietuva | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Lithuania | Telia Lietuva | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Lithuania | UAB Tele2 | 3G | Dec-26 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Luxembourg | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Luxembourg | Orange | 2G | Dec-30 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Luxembourg | POST Luxembourg | 3G | Oct-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Malaysia | Celcom Axiata Berhad | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Malaysia | Digi Telecommunications | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Malaysia | Maxis Broadband | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Malaysia | U Mobile | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Malta | Vodafone Malta | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Mauritius | Emtel | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Mexico | AT&T Comercializacion Movil | 2G | Sep-19 | 2G network closed in 2019 |
| Myanmar | Telenor Myanmar | 2G | Dec-24 | 2G switch off estimated by end 2024 |
| Myanmar | Telenor Myanmar | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Netherlands | T-Mobile | 2G | Jun-21 | 2G Network closed in 2021 |
| Netherlands | Vodafone | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Netherlands | KPN | 2G | No confirmation of plans for 2G | |
| Netherlands | Vodafone | 3G | Feb-20 | 3G Network closed in 2020 |
| Netherlands | KPN | 3G | Apr-22 | 3G network closed in 2022 |
| Netherlands | T-Mobile | 3G | No timeline announced for 3G network closure | |
| Netherlands Antilles | Telcell N.V. | 2G | Jan-19 | 3G Network closed in 2019 |
| New Caledonia | Office des Postes et Telecommunications | 3G | Jan-30 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| New Zealand | 2 degrees New Zealand (NZLNH) | 2G | Mar-18 | 3G Network closed in 2018 |
| New Zealand | 2 degrees New Zealand (NZLNH) | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| New Zealand | Vodafone New Zealand | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| New Zealand | Vodafone New Zealand | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Norway | Telenor Norge AS | 2G | Sep-27 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Norway | Telia Norge | 3G | Nov-21 | 3G Network closed in 2021 |
| Norway | Telenor Norge AS | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G Network closure in 2021 |
| Poland | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Poland | Orange | 2G | Dec-30 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Pakistan | Telenor Pakistan | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Pakistan | Telenor Pakistan | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Phillippines | Smart Communications | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Poland | T-Mobile Polska | 3G | Jan 23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Portugal | Vodafone Portugal | 2G | Dec-25 | Likely 2G network closure in 2025 |
| Portugal | Vodafone Portugal | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Puerto Rico | AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico | 2G | 2022 | 2G network closed in 2022 |
| Puerto Rico | AT&T Mobility Puerto Rico | 3G | Feb-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Puerto Rico | Liberty Mobile Puerto Rico | 3G | Feb-22 | 3G network closed in 2022 |
| Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Telephone Company | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G network closed in 2022 |
| Puerto Rico | T-Mobile Puerto Rico | 3G | Jul-22 | 3G network closed in 2022 |
| Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Telephone Company | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Romania | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Romania | Orange | 2G | Dec-30 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Romania | Telekom Romania | 2G | Jan-29 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Romania | Telekom Romania | 3G | Jul-22 | 3G network closed in 2022 |
| Romania | Vodafone Romania | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Slovakia | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Slovakia | Orange | 2G | Dec-21 | 3G network closed in 2022 |
| Slovakia | Slovak Telekom | 3G | Dec-21 | 3G network closed in 2021 |
| Slovenia | A1 Slovenija | 2G | Dec-30 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Slovenia | A1 Slovenija | 3G | Jun-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Saudi Arabi | Saudi Telecom Company (STC) | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Singapore | M1 | 2G | 2017 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Singapore | StarHub | 2G | 2017 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Singapore | Singtel | 2G | 2017 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| South Africa | Mobile Telephone Networks | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| South Africa | Vodafone | 2G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Spain | Orange | 3G | Dec-25 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Spain | Orange | 2G | Dec-30 | Confirmed Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Spain | Vodafone | 2G | 2025 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Spain | Movistar (Telefonica Spain) | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Spain | Telefonica | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Spain | Vodafone | 3G | Jul-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Sri Lanka | Dialog Axiata | 3G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Sweden | Tele2 | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Sweden | Telenor Sverige | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Sweden | Telia | 2G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Sweden | Telenor Sverige | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Sweden | Tele2 | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Sweden | Telia | 3G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Switzerland | Salt Mobile | 2G | Dec-20 | 2G network closed in 2020 |
| Switzerland | GTEL Mobile | 2G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Switzerland | Sunrise Communications AG | 2G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| Switzerland | Swisscom Ltd | 2G | Dec-20 | 2G network closed in 2020 |
| Switzerland | Swisscom Ltd | 3G | Dec-25 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa Telecom | 2G | Jun-17 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Taiwan | Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd | 2G | Jun-17 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Taiwan | Chunghwa Telecom | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Taiwan | Taiwan Mobile | 2G | Jun-17 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| Taiwan | Taiwan Mobile | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Thailand | CAT Telecom | 2G | Oct-19 | 2G network closed in 2019 |
| UAE | Emirates Integrated Telecommunications | 2G | Dec-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| UAE | Emirates Telecom | 2G | Dec-23 | Estimated Timeframe for full 2G network closure |
| UK | EE | 3G | Jan-23 | No official support for 3G from January 2023 with cell sites not being repaired from this date. Some locations will have 3G actively removed where 4G coverage is strong, so full National Coverage is not guaranteed. Full 3G shut down expected early 2024. |
| UK | Vodafone | 3G | Jan 23 | Vodafone plan to switch off their UK 3G network in 2023, with work commencing in Jan-23 and completion by the end of the year. National Coverage and support for 3G services can not be guaranteed from Jan-23. |
| UK | Three | 3G | Dec-24 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure with work commencing in some regions in early 2023 |
| UK | EE | 2G | EE 2G network closure estimated 2026-2029 | |
| UK | Vodafone | 2G | By 2033 | No immediate plans to retire 2G but approach is aligned to the UK Government plan to modernise the UK infrastructure and retire 2G by 2033. Current focus is on 3G switch off and moving as much 2G and 3G traffic as possible to 4G and 5G. Longer-term strategy is to continue to move all voice and non-IoT traffic to 4G and 5G, leaving 2G for narrow-band IoT data traffic. |
| UK | O2 | 2G | No plans announced for 2G network closure | |
| UK | O2 | 3G | 3G phase-out confirmed, but no confirmed dates | |
| United States | AT&T | 2G | 2017 | 2G network closed in 2017 |
| United States | Verizon | 2G | Dec 20 | Shut down its 2G CDMA network at end 2020 |
| United States | Sprint | 2G | Jan 22 | CDMA 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| United States | T-Mobile | 2G | No date set | |
| United States | AT&T | 3G | Feb 22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| United States | Sprint | 3G | Jul-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| United States | T-Mobile | 3G | Jul 22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| United States | Verizon | 3G | Dec 22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |
| Vietnam | GTEL Mobile | 2G | Jan-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | Viettel | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | Viettel | 3G | Jun-22 | 3G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | Vietnamobile | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | VNPT | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | Mobifone | 2G | Mar-22 | 2G Network closed in 2022 |
| Vietnam | Viettel | 3G | Jun-22 | Estimated Timeframe for full 3G network closure |