UK 2G Network Shutdown Starts May 2029: What It Means for Your Business

The UK’s mobile landscape is evolving fast. Starting in May 2029, operators such as EE will begin phasing out their 2G networks, with full national shutdowns expected by 2033. This shift will impact thousands of businesses still relying on legacy connectivity for critical services.

What’s at Stake

2G has long been the backbone of M2M and IoT communications, powering everything from telecare alerts to parking terminals and industrial sensors. However, as spectrum is reallocated to support faster and more secure 4G and 5G networks, 2G-dependent devices will face obsolescence.

Affected sectors include:

• Healthcare (telecare, emergency alerts)

• Transport and logistics (tracking, fleet communications)

• Smart infrastructure (access control, lift phones)

• Retail (payment terminals, vending systems)

• Utilities (smart meters, remote monitoring)

Why Early Migration Matters

Waiting until 2029 or beyond risks service disruption, compliance issues, and costly last-minute upgrades. Migrating early with M2M Data Connect offers:

• Seamless transition to 4G, 5G, LPWA, or satellite

• Integration with existing hardware and systems

• Global coverage across 700+ networks in 186 countries

• Expert guidance tailored to your sector and geography

We help businesses build future-ready connectivity strategies that scale with demand and remain resilient through change.

The Time to Act Is Now

The 2G shutdown isn’t just a technical update—it’s a strategic opportunity. Businesses that plan ahead will gain operational clarity, flexibility, and competitive advantage.

Start planning your migration today. Let M2M Data Connect help you future-proof your infrastructure.

M2M Data Connect Shortlisted for Multiple Industry Awards This November

November is shaping up to be a milestone month for M2M Data Connect, as we proudly announce our nomination for not one, but three prestigious industry awards. These recognitions span across the parking, mobility, and private hire sectors—underscoring our commitment to innovation, reliability, and transformative technology.

Technology Supplier of the Year – Recognising Operational Excellence

Being named a finalist for Technology Supplier of the Year is a testament to the trust our partners place in us. From transport and logistics to smart city deployments—and notably, the UK taxi and private hire industry—M2M Data Connect has consistently delivered secure, scalable, and interoperable solutions that empower businesses to operate smarter and faster.

M2M offer a comprehensive blend of connectivity services across all operational touchpoints, including IoT connectivity, SMS smart messaging, and specialised hardware. This integrated approach enables operators to manage fleets, engage passengers, and streamline operations with minimal friction.

At the core of this transformation is our multi-channel TaxiBot service, which allows passengers to book rides through WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, web, kiosks, and more—without needing to download an app. TaxiBot bridges the gap between traditional operators and digital-first passengers, helping fleets stay competitive, compliant, and connected in a fast-changing market.

This recognition highlights not just our innovation, but the people, partnerships, and precision that drive our operational success.

Innovation Award for TaxiBot – Transforming Booking Across Every Channel

We’re especially proud to be nominated for the Innovation Award in the taxi and private hire industry, recognising the remarkable evolution of TaxiBot. Originally launched as a simple notification service, TaxiBot has grown into a fully-fledged multi-channel booking platform—designed to meet passengers where they already are.

Whether it’s WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, web, kiosk, or even a lite version for operators without dispatch software, TaxiBot empowers transportation companies to offer seamless, branded booking experiences without the need for complex integrations.

This innovation isn’t just technical—it’s strategic. TaxiBot bridges the gap between traditional operators and digital-first passengers, helping fleets stay competitive, compliant, and connected in a fast-changing market.

Parking Technology Award – Powering Smarter Parking Experiences

We’re proud to be shortlisted for the Parking Technology Award, which celebrates transformative solutions in the parking sector. This nomination recognises our role in enabling smarter, more accessible parking experiences—whether through real-time availability, seamless integrations, or scalable infrastructure for operators and municipalities.

At the heart of this innovation is ParkingBot, our frictionless booking and payment service designed specifically for the parking industry. ParkingBot allows users to book and pay for parking sessions without downloading an app—leveraging popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, web, kiosks, and more.

From on-street bays to multi-storey hubs, ParkingBot helps parking providers modernise their services, reduce friction for drivers, and unlock new revenue streams. It’s part of our broader mission to support urban mobility with tools that are not only intelligent—but intuitive, interoperable, and built for long-term impact.

We’re incredibly grateful to be nominated for these awards—just being recognised alongside so many outstanding innovators is an achievement in itself. These nominations reflect the dedication of our team and partners over the past year. From smart parking to private hire, we’re proud to be building the connective tissue of tomorrow’s mobility infrastructure.

M2M Data Connect is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Hâpy Services, now the official M2M France reseller for the M2M Data Connect Group.

This collaboration unites two fast-growing innovators in the Internet of Things (IoT) sector—combining global connectivity with local expertise to deliver seamless IoT solutions across France and Europe.

What This Partnership Brings

Together, M2M Data Connect and Hâpy Services will provide:

• 5G-ready industrial routers for next-generation IoT deployments

• Global IoT SIM cards with access to 600 + networks in 180 + countries

• Fixed IP data SIM solutions for secure remote access and VPN integration

• Smart SIM management platforms for real-time monitoring and control

By combining M2M Data Connect’s global infrastructure with Hâpy Services’ on-the-ground support, French businesses will now have direct access to the same secure and scalable IoT solutions used by enterprises worldwide.

A Shared Vision for Smart Innovation

“We’re proud to partner with Hâpy Services, whose dedication to secure and scalable IoT solutions perfectly complements our mission.”
— Richard Clayton, CEO, M2M Data Connect

This partnership marks a significant step forward in empowering smart cities, smart industries, and smart mobility projects across France and beyond.

About Hâpy Services

Hâpy Services specialises in IoT connectivity and industrial networking solutions for enterprises across France. Their expert team focuses on helping organisations build secure, scalable, and future-proof IoT networks.

About M2M Data Connect

M2M Data Connect provides global M2M and IoT SIM cards, routers, and private network solutions to organisations in more than 180 countries. The company specialises in multi-network roaming, private APN, static IP addresses, and VPN connectivity for industrial and enterprise IoT applications.

Learn More

For partnership enquiries or to explore IoT connectivity solutions in France, visit m2mfrance.com.

The Internet of Things is evolving, and with the new partnership between KPN IoT and Skylo, we’re entering a new era of seamless global IoT connectivity.

By combining mobile and satellite IoT networks, devices can now automatically switch to satellite when cellular coverage drops. The result? Uninterrupted IoT communication, even in the most remote or hard-to-reach locations on Earth.

What This Means for Global IoT Deployments

• Exceptional network uptime and coverage
• Seamless integration with enterprise systems
• Strong data security and compliance frameworks
• Agile support for transport, logistics, energy, and smart infrastructure

• Direct-to-device satellite connectivity—no bulky dishes required
• Seamless switching between mobile and satellite networks
• Coverage in the most remote regions: oceans, deserts, mountains, and rural zones
• Support for low-power, low-bandwidth IoT devices (ideal for sensors and trackers)

• Uninterrupted connectivity across terrestrial and satellite networks
• Simplified billing and provisioning through existing KPN relationships
• Scalable deployment for global fleets, infrastructure, and smart assets
• Future-proof architecture ready for 5G, LPWA, and hybrid networks

Maritime IoT

Real-time vessel tracking, cargo monitoring, and crew safety systems can now stay connected across the open ocean, far beyond the limits of terrestrial networks.

Smart Agriculture

From precision irrigation to livestock tracking, IoT in agriculture can now function in rural and mountainous regions where mobile networks are unreliable.

Energy & Mining

Monitor pipelines, offshore rigs, and remote assets with NB-IoT satellite connectivity, ensuring uptime in even the harshest environments.

Logistics & Fleet Management

Fleet operators can maintain real-time visibility across borders and continents, without losing data in coverage gaps.

Emergency & Disaster Response

When disasters strike, hybrid mobile-satellite IoT ensures reliable communication for emergency teams, where every second counts.

Built for the Future: NB-IoT Over Satellite

This hybrid IoT solution is based on NB-IoT over satellite, aligned with 3GPP Release 17 standards — paving the way for 5G and 6G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN).
It represents the next step toward truly global IoT, where devices remain connected anywhere, anytime.

Always Connected. Anywhere. Anytime.

At M2M Data Connect, we believe the future of IoT lies in global interoperability — and this collaboration between KPN IoT and Skylo proves that boundary-free connectivity is no longer just a vision.

With the power of multi-network IoT SIM cards, NB-IoT, and now satellite integration, your connected devices will never go offline again.

M2M Data Connect and KPN IoT have partnered to launch a new eSIM service based on the GSMA SGP.32 specification for IoT. The service brings the simplicity of consumer-style management together with carrier-grade provisioning for industrial deployments, enabling enterprises to scale securely and efficiently.

SGP.32 is the latest GSMA eSIM standard for IoT. It streamlines remote SIM provisioning across diverse device types and vendors, improving interoperability and simplifying life cycle management at scale. Compared with earlier generations focused on M2M or consumer devices, SGP.32 addresses the practical needs of IoT fleets including automated provisioning, profile portability and robust security controls.

Through this partnership, customers can provision and manage eSIMs remotely, avoid infrastructure investments, and switch connectivity providers without lock-ins. The solution is designed to help organisations meet local roaming and regulatory requirements while deploying globally.

KPN IoT developed the solution with IDEMIA Secure Transactions, drawing on KPN’s decade of remote SIM provisioning experience across automotive, OEM and industrial sectors. Early adopters such as Trackunit, which manages millions of connected assets across more than 200 countries, are already demonstrating the operational benefits of a single global eSIM setup during manufacturing.

M2M Data Connect complements this with multi-network eSIM coverage across hundreds of networks and a management platform for real-time monitoring and flexible data plans, supporting 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G devices across use cases such as smart metering, asset tracking and industrial sensors.

Why it matters for IoT teams
• Simplify global deployments with remote provisioning and centralised control
• Reduce operating costs by eliminating plastic SIMs and manual swaps
• Improve sustainability by avoiding SIM plastics and logistics
• Future-proof connectivity with an open standard, removing vendor lock-ins and enabling multi-vendor ecosystems aligned to GSMA SGP.32

As IoT programmes scale, standards-based eSIM under SGP.32 is becoming a strategic enabler for reliable, flexible and compliant global connectivity. M2M Data Connect and KPN IoT are pleased to bring this capability to market for customers that need to deploy and manage IoT at scale.

The UK’s Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) will be permanently retired by January 2027. While headlines focus on the move to fibre broadband, the change represents a complete overhaul of national infrastructure — with consequences for everything from emergency alarms to retail systems.

What Exactly Is the PSTN Shutdown?

The PSTN has supported voice and data services for decades, including ISDN2 and ISDN30 lines. However, maintaining a nationwide copper-based system is no longer sustainable. Openreach is leading the transition to all-IP (Internet Protocol) services delivered over fibre and mobile networks.

By 2027, all Wholesale Line Rental (WLR) services — traditional landlines, ISDN, and similar — will cease.

More Than Just a Landline Issue

The shutdown affects far more than telephone calls. Across the UK, copper lines still power:

• Lift emergency systems

• Fire and intruder alarms

• Door entry and access controls

• Telecare and social alarms

• Retail payment machines

• Utility meters and monitoring devices

For many businesses, these systems are hidden within buildings, tied to legacy contracts, or even managed by landlords. Identifying and replacing them is a major challenge.

Exchange Rationalisation: The Hidden Driver

Openreach is reducing the number of exchanges from around 5,500 to 1,000 as fibre requires less physical infrastructure. While efficient, this disrupts traditional resilience models. Fibre is reliable but not invulnerable — roadworks, flooding, or power outages can still cause outages.

Why Fibre Isn’t Always Practical

Deploying fibre everywhere isn’t realistic. Retrofitting it into lifts, alarm systems, or rural pumping stations is often complex and costly. In these cases, cellular connectivity (4G and 5G) can be a smarter alternative — offering flexibility, resilience, and rapid deployment.

What Businesses Should Do Now

To prepare for the 2027 switch-off, businesses must:

1. Audit all systems relying on copper.

2. Work with landlords and facilities managers to uncover hidden dependencies.

3. Evaluate replacement options — fibre, cellular, or hybrid solutions.

4. Build resilience into connectivity plans, not just replacements.

5. Act early — last-minute upgrades in 2026 will be expensive.

Conclusion

The PSTN shutdown represents more than a technical upgrade — it’s a full-scale reset of UK communications infrastructure. By preparing early and exploring alternative technologies, businesses can turn disruption into an opportunity to build more resilient and future-ready networks.