Preparing for the 2G Sunset: What It Means for Your IoT Deployments
As mobile networks continue to evolve, legacy technologies like 2G and 3G are gradually being switched off across the globe. If your business relies on IoT or M2M devices that still connect using these older standards—especially while roaming in the UK—this update is essential reading.
At Millbeck, we’re committed to keeping our customers connected, resilient, and future-proof. One of the most significant changes coming soon involves the UK’s O2 network.
What’s Happening?
From October 2025, O2 will disable 2G and 3G inbound roaming on its UK network. That means any international or multi-network SIM attempting to use O2’s infrastructure for 2G/3G fallback will no longer be able to connect. This is part of a broader national trend: all UK operators are now moving away from legacy mobile services in favour of faster, more efficient 4G, 5G, and LPWAN networks.
Importantly, O2 is the last UK network to support 3G roaming. Once this sunset takes place, 3G roaming will no longer be available anywhere in the UK. Devices that previously relied on it will need to switch to 4G, 5G, or LPWAN alternatives.
Who’s Affected?
If you’re using international or multi-network SIMs in the UK—especially for IoT, telemetry, fleet tracking, or global asset monitoring—you may be affected if:
- Your devices fallback to 2G or 3G when roaming
- Your hardware does not support 4G, 5G, or VoLTE
- You use SIMs that prioritise cost over network resilience and haven’t been recently updated
Without action, your devices may simply stop connecting.
What Should You Do?
Now is the time to audit your device fleet and ensure you’re not relying on outdated connectivity. Millbeck strongly recommends the following actions:
✅ Upgrade Your Devices
Ensure your IoT hardware supports 4G LTE, 5G, or LPWAN technologies (like NB-IoT or LTE-M). These newer standards are faster, more efficient, and far better suited to modern deployments.
✅ Enable VoLTE
If you rely on voice services (e.g. in alarm panels, vehicle comms, or healthcare devices), check that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is supported and enabled.
✅ Review Your SIM Profiles
Many Millbeck customers use multi-network or roaming SIMs that access more than one UK operator. We can help assess your current SIM setup and recommend whether a Multi-IMSI, eUICC, or Fixed IP option is more resilient for your needs post-2G.
Why This Matters for Business IoT
The retirement of 2G and 3G isn’t just a technical change—it’s a risk to uptime and reliability if not addressed in time.
Whether you’re managing smart meters, industrial sensors, vehicle telemetry, CCTV, or point-of-sale kiosks, a sudden loss of connectivity could mean downtime, lost revenue, or worse—undetected system failures.
At Millbeck, we take a proactive approach to managing mobile transitions. Our SIM solutions are already built with future-proofing in mind. We offer:
- 4G/5G-ready SIMs with seamless fallback
- Roaming and Multi-IMSI profiles across all UK networks
- Fully managed SIM services and router hardware
- Expert support in selecting the right tech for your environment
Talk to Us Before the Cut-Off
If you’re unsure whether your current IoT setup is affected, don’t wait until 2025. Reach out now, and we’ll help you review your deployments, recommend compliant alternatives, and avoid the headaches of last-minute transitions.
Contact Millbeck today to discuss your SIM portfolio, device readiness, or explore our tailored 4G/5G upgrade options.
Your connectivity is too important to leave to chance.