GSM (2G) & UMTS (3G) switch-off – significance for IoT devices

Constantly growing demands on data transmission and the desire for future-proof technologies are challenging network operators. To make room for future-proof transmission technologies such as 4G, NB-IoT and 5G, older technologies are being switched off. Swisscom, for example, has already switched off the 2G network in Switzerland in 2019. In 2021, Vodafone and Deutsche Telekom switched off 3G in Germany. In Austria, Magenta 2024 has switched off 3G. A1 plans to do the same by the end of 2024.

The freed-up frequency spectrum makes room for new modern technology such as 4G and 5G. We have summarised more about the development of mobile technologies and 4G with NB-IoT and M1 for you in "4G is not just 4G".

01. Jun 2024

written by

Sabrina

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What replaces 2G (GSM) & 3G (UMTS) ?

2G and 3G are being replaced by 4G or LTE-M in the IoT sector. M1 and NB1 are predestined for all applications that require little bandwidth, are energy-saving and reliable. For applications that require high bandwidth, on the other hand, we recommend 4G.

What needs to be done for IoT devices?

Many of Microtronics’ devices use modems with multiple uplink technologies. Unless you have overwritten the default setting, the device itself takes care of selecting the technologies. But there are also devices that do not have this functionality. So it is worth taking a detailed look.

How do you determine which transmission technology your devices use?

Information on the transmission technology used on your device can be found on the type plate and on the IoT platform.

In many cases, the transmission technology is indicated on the type plate of the device. On the IoT platform you can see details of the last connection including the transmission technology used.

If you are not sure which transmission technology your device uses, please contact our support team. With the serial numbers, colleagues can query the installed technology.

Which Microtronics IoT devices require modernisation?

Device	Future-proof variant
myDatalogMUC	myDatalogMUC 4G (no adaptation of the application necessary) myDatalogC3 (adaptation of the application (IoT app) necessary. Future-proof and expandable)
myDatalogMUCmini & myDatalogMUCmicro	myDatalogC3 Adaptation of the application (IoT app) necessary. Future-proof and expandable
myDatalogEASY V3 4-DatenloggerChannel myDatalogEASY myDatalogEASYmbm myDatalogEASYplus myDatalogEASYsd myDatalogRSS	myDatalogEASY IoTmini 2G/M1/NB1 World myDatalogEASY IoT 2G/M1/NB1 World myDatalogEASY IoT 2G/3G/4G World myDatalogEASY IoT ATEX 2G/M1/NB1 World myDatalogEASY IoT ATEX 2G/3G/4G World
rapidM2M M22x 3G World	Little bandwidth: M22x M1/NB1 Much bandwidth: M22x 2G/4G World
M23x 3G World	M23x 2G/3G/4G World
myDatalogEx myDatalogGauge myDatasensH2S	Jellox Analog M1/NB1 World Jellox Node M1/NB1 World myDatasensH2S LTE M1/NB-IoT
myDatalogNANOamr	Jellox Pulse Pro M1/NB1

We will be happy to work with you to determine the transmission technology of your current devices and draw up a modernisation plan. Benefit from our attractive exchange offers when returning of 2G / 3G IoT devices from Microtronics and other suppliers.

With IoT as a Service, we take the next steps together – future-proofing your business model with state-of-the-art technology.

First published in February 2022, last updated in March 2025

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