Orange has confirmed that it intends to retire its 2G network in France by the end of next year.

In an update on its website, the telco revealed plans to switch off the network from December 31, 2025.

Why telcos are switching off legacy networks, and what it means for 5G

The switch off will be carried out in different phases, initially in a pilot zone including nine departments in the South-West (dpt 09, 31, 32, 40, 46, 47, 64, 65, 82).

In Ariège, Haute-Garonne, Gers, Landes, Lot, Lot-et-Garonne, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Tarn-et-Garonne, 2G will be definitively discontinued on March 9, 2026, said the carrier.

The second phase of the switch-off will cover the rest of mainland France, where Orange expects to discontinue 2G from the end of September 2026.

"Over the decades, Orange has developed an extensive, high-performance mobile network to meet growing digital needs, with 2G, 3G, then 4G and 5G. Over the next few years, 2G and 3G will give way to 4G and 5G," said Orange in a statement.

The 2G network will be completely retired by December 2026, noted the telco.

In the company's update, Orange said it also plans to switch off its 3G network from the end of 2028.

Rival French telcos Bouygues Telecom and Altice similarly plan to retire their respective 2G network by 2026.

There's been pushback from certain quarters in France over the planned switch off of 2G and 3G networks in the country.

In October, France's Elevator Federation (Fédération des Ascenseurs) asked for the shutdown of the country's 2G and 3G networks to be delayed.

The networks, which are planned to be phased out by 2029, are still being used by elevator manufacturers, according to the trade organization.