Telecoms operator A1 Group has confirmed that it will retire its 2G mobile network in Austria in 2028.

The telco said its 2G network will be replaced by its 4G LTE and 5G mobile networks, and it will switch off its 2G service nationwide by May 31, 2028.

After this period, 2G SIM cards will no longer work for those subscribers still using devices supported by 2G.

It represents the end of an era for the company's 2G network, which was launched in the early 1990s.

However, as A1 notes, this network "no longer meets today's requirements for security, efficiency, and performance."

"Far more modern technologies like 4G/LTE and 5G are now available throughout Austria. The vast majority of people in Austria already use 4G/5G daily. 2G is only used sporadically," states A1 on its website.

The telco said the shutdown will be carried out in a "planned and transparent manner," while affected customers will be informed in advance.

2G heralded the beginning of the data era, and introduced SMS (Short Message Service), something that is probably an afterthought for most people now, given the instant messaging services such as WhatsApp or iMessage that are used.

Another Austrian telco, Magenta Telekom, plans to shut down its network in 2030 at the earliest.