The operator continues to pursue its plans to consistently deliver the best that its network can offer to customers, which also means transitioning from older technologies to modern ones. This also includes the shutdown of the 2G network. Customers will have sufficient time for the transition—more than two and a half years.
“The 2G network was the foundation of the mobile revolution in Slovakia. It enabled people to stay connected anytime and anywhere for the first time. Today, however, we stand at the threshold of a new era, where connectivity is no longer just about communication, but about the ability to digitally transform entire industries and everyday life. By freeing up frequency spectrum, we are creating space for 5G technologies that will deliver higher performance, new services, and fundamentally better opportunities for customers, businesses, and the overall development of the country. Throughout the transition, we want to support our customers and partners so they can smoothly move to modern technologies and continue to benefit from reliable connectivity. We therefore do not see the end of 2G as the closing of a chapter, but as the beginning of a much more ambitious future,” said Carlos Fernandes, Chief Technology Officer, Slovak Telekom and T-Mobile Czech Republic.
The second-generation (2G) network is one of the most significant milestones in the history of mobile communication in Slovakia. It was introduced to the Slovak market in 1996 following the granting of a GSM license in the 900 MHz band. Shortly thereafter, the first call was made, and in 1997 commercial operations began. The technology enabled the mass adoption of mobile phones, the expansion of voice calls, and later the era of SMS messaging and early data services via GPRS and EDGE. After nearly thirty years, however, the 2G network no longer meets modern user demands, and Telekom plans to shut it down in January 2029.
The decline in 2G usage is a natural evolution as newer technologies emerge
The decline in 2G traffic is the result of a natural migration of customers to 4G and 5G devices. In 2025, data traffic in the 2G network decreased year-on-year by 11.4%, and further significant declines are expected in the coming years. At the same time, the use of modern voice technologies is growing rapidly: in May this year, VoLTE calls and Wi-Fi calling accounted for as much as 84% of voice traffic, while Wi-Fi calling alone increased by 71% year-on-year.
“These figures confirm that customers have largely transitioned to higher-quality solutions that deliver a better user experience and greater network efficiency,” explains Carlos Fernandes from Telekom, adding: “Shutting down the 2G network is a logical step to ensure that customers can fully benefit from the top-tier capabilities of our mobile network. It will provide the necessary speed, capacity, and responsiveness. This is a global trend, and customers in Slovakia will also be able to take full advantage of modern technologies.”
Benefits of transitioning from the 2G network
The shutdown of the 2G network will enable more efficient use of the frequency spectrum and strengthen the quality of mobile services across Slovakia. In the most recent spectrum auction, Slovak Telekom acquired the largest amount of frequency bands among operators in Slovakia, and by consolidating the 900 MHz band, conditions are created for its use in 4G and 5G networks. This will result in higher data speeds, improved network stability even during peak times, and increased capacity for growing data traffic. At the same time, it will create a solid foundation for the development of modern digital services, industrial solutions, and Internet of Things technologies.
Check whether the 2G shutdown affects you
The shutdown of the second-generation network will primarily affect users of older devices that support only 2G or devices without VoLTE support. In some cases, it may also include older 4G devices that use 4G for data but switch back to 2G for voice calls.
Since the 2G shutdown affects not only mobile data but also voice services, it is important to verify both device and SIM card compatibility. Customers should check whether their device supports 4G or 5G—for example, based on the icon displayed on the screen—whether it supports VoLTE calling, and whether they have a compatible SIM card. Slovak Telekom will inform customers about the next steps well in advance. It will also provide support in checking device and SIM compatibility and offer practical recommendations, including options for replacing devices or SIM cards. Residential customers can easily check compatibility on the dedicated page https://www.telekom.sk/podpora/2g. A separate section is available for business customers at http://www.telekom.sk/2g_tbusiness, tailored to their specific needs.
Special attention for businesses and technical devices
The planned transition will not only affect standard mobile phones but also various technical and corporate solutions that have historically relied on the 2G network. These include modules in vehicles, elevator emergency call systems, payment terminals, sensors, and various measurement devices, often involving large fleets of devices with long life cycles.
Slovak Telekom therefore recommends that corporate customers begin inventory checks and migration planning in advance. Successor technologies include 4G (LTE), 5G, NB-IoT, and LTE-M, which offer more reliable connectivity and better energy efficiency for Internet of Things devices. NB-IoT and LTE-M also enable connectivity in remote locations while maintaining low energy consumption and long device lifespans. For solutions involving voice services, it is necessary to verify support for VoLTE or newer voice technologies.
Transitioning to modern networks also presents an opportunity from the perspective of IT architecture and further development of digital services. Migration to 4G (LTE) and 5G brings lower latency, higher availability, and the ability to manage service quality through QoS (Quality of Service) and defined SLA parameters. In the 5G environment, advanced use cases such as private 5G networks, network slicing, and edge computing become possible, enabling data processing closer to the source and in real time.
Companies thus gain a more robust and flexible platform for digitalization, automation, and system integration—from industrial manufacturing and logistics to the management of critical infrastructure. Well-planned migration also enables optimization of operating costs, improved security, and readiness for deploying new digital solutions.
Slovakia follows a global trend
The shutdown of legacy mobile networks is now common internationally. Many European countries have already shut down their 3G networks and are gradually announcing the end of 2G as well, including Germany, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. The same trend is also visible in the United States and Asia, confirming that this is a natural evolution of the entire industry.
The shutdown of 2G networks in Slovakia at the beginning of 2029 therefore represents a natural milestone in the evolution of mobile technologies. It also confirms the growing importance of modern technologies, especially 5G, and their role in enabling new digital services, modern ways of working, and smart solutions in households and businesses.