Yes, it is shutting down — but not tomorrow. In Türkiye the 2G and 3G licence period for mobile operators has been extended to 30 April 2029, and the plan is for these networks to be switched off gradually by then. That means any device relying on 2G alone has a limited life ahead of it.
Where does the timetable stand?
Retiring 2G and 3G is a worldwide trend; operators want to hand the spectrum these networks occupy over to 4G and 5G. In Türkiye the relevant licence period has been extended to 30 April 2029, and the regulator's planning points to these networks being withdrawn by then.
In practice a shutdown does not happen on one day: operators usually reduce coverage in certain areas first and cut it entirely later. So rather than waiting for 2029, you may notice coverage weakening much earlier.
This date is based on regulatory planning and the licence period; operators' implementation schedules may change. If you are planning a critical installation, confirm the current position with your operator. (This post was written in September 2026.)
Who does this affect?
Two groups of devices are directly affected, and both are installed to stay in place for years:
- Lift intercoms — fitted once into a car and left there for a decade. A large share of devices on the market still work on 2G only.
- Vehicle tracking devices — fitted across a fleet at once. When the network closes, hundreds of devices have to be replaced together.
- Meters, alarm panels and similar remotely monitored field equipment.
Why is this serious?
Because most of these devices do a critical job. A lift intercom exists to carry the voice of someone trapped at an hour when nobody is around. If that device quietly loses its network, nobody notices — until it is actually needed.
The second issue is cost. A single-network device cannot be rescued with a software update when its network closes; the hardware itself does not support the other frequency. The fix is replacement, and that comes with installation labour.
What should you do now?
- List which networks your installed devices support. The technical documentation usually states "2G", "2G + 4G" or "LTE Cat-M/NB-IoT".
- Make a replacement plan for 2G-only devices — spread it across your normal maintenance and renewal cycle rather than waiting for 2029.
- Require support for at least two networks on anything you buy from now on. A single-network device may look cheaper today, but it is a device you will buy twice.
- At critical points — lifts, emergency systems — choose devices that can fall back to another network when one drops.
What does dual network mean?
That the device supports more than one network technology at once and can switch when one becomes unavailable. A device using 4G as primary and 2G as fallback, for example, drops to 2G when 4G coverage weakens inside a shaft and keeps carrying the call; and when 2G is finally switched off, it carries on over 4G.
That approach solves today's coverage problem and tomorrow's shutdown timetable at the same time. It is why we designed the Aselfon M8 as 2G + 4G.
Frequently asked questions
- When will 2G be switched off in Türkiye?
- The 2G and 3G licence period for mobile operators has been extended to 30 April 2029, and the plan is for these networks to be switched off gradually by then. Coverage may weaken in some areas before that date.
- Will my lift intercom keep working after 2G closes?
- If your device supports only 2G, no — it loses its connection entirely when the network closes and has to be replaced. A device that also supports 4G carries on over 4G.
- How do I find out which network my device uses?
- Check the device's documentation or label; supported networks are usually written as "2G/GSM", "4G/LTE" or "LTE Cat-M". If you are unsure, ask the supplier which networks the model supports.