Networks supporting 2G only phones

400ixl

haze23 said:

I understand the desire to move things forward but the new systems should be in place everywhere before the legacy systems are removed, otherwise we end up with this highly confusing situation and it all feels like a con.

The new systems have been in place for years now and maintaining the legacy is too expensive and a waste of money as the usage of it has dropped to such low levels. The bandwidth is now also needed for the newer systems in order for the coverage gaps to be closed.

There is no con in it and there really isn't a confusing situation.

Pretty much all phone providers sell handset which they know work with their networks, they also issue lists of compatible devices. Buy from those for the particular provider you are with and there won't be issues. 

None of that takes any special technical knowledge.

Go and buy something not on the list and without pre-checking with them, you are taking your own risk. It appears that is what you have chosen to do. Although with the right network APN settings VOLTE isn't an issue. Calls / texts over WIFI can be more of an issue.

Sorry to hear you are in this position, but you have to take the responsibility for some of it. 99% of the population buy compatible phones without issues.

PHK

10Wbulb said:

PHK said:

EE announced this week that they will begin migrating 2G only customers to 4G soon, starting with business customers. 

That is true, but it looks like ending the 2G service is some way off, see:-

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/01/mobile-operator-ee-sets-out-uk-approach-to-future-2g-switch-off.html#:~:text=Having%20first%20spoken%20publicly%20about,built%20Internet%20of%20Things%20(IoT)

Close to the end EE say:-

“In the years ahead, we will be preparing our network for the closure of 2G.”

The networks are migrating consumers and businesses away from 2G so that it can be used for M2M, IoT and emergency. (And some of the bandwidth will be re-farmed to improve 4G) 

So even though the 2G network will be around, a phone won't connect to it. 

haze23

Apologies, looks like the caveats were appropriate and I got it all wrong. I have removed the original post to avoid spreading misinformation.

facade

facade said:

my precious PAYG is a micro SIM. I may have to get the mini grinder to it.

*Precious because it is a true PAYG, make one call every 90 days to keep it active, not like the "Pay monthly, every month on the dot, but it isn't a contract" sims you get off them now.

I now suspect it won't be an issue, I found out that the O2 PAYG use the legacy system and there is a strong possibility they will kill them all off rather than migrate them to 4G.