Coverage Check — Telecoms Network Modernisation and 2G Switch-off
Audit of public-source material that may be missing from this policy thread.
Likely missing — should be added
5 itemsThis is Ofcom's primary regulatory statement on 2G/3G switch-off expectations for mobile network operators — the foundational regulatory document for the 2G switch-off component of this thread.
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What it adds: The thread has the DSIT-led charters and protocols but not Ofcom's own regulatory expectations document, which is the regulator's counterpart to the government's voluntary charter framework.
"We have set out how we expect MNOs to approach the switching off of their services in the following document. This document also sets out the relevant regulatory requirements that providers will need to meet during this process."
Ofcom's guidance for IoT and third-party device suppliers is a key regulatory output directly relevant to the 2G switch-off and CNI resilience themes of this thread.
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What it adds: The thread covers the government's charter framework but not Ofcom's sector-specific guidance for device suppliers, which addresses the same CNI and telecare concerns from the regulator's perspective.
"If you provide a service (like telecare) that relies on 2G or 3G networks, then you are responsible for ensuring the continuity of service after 2G and 3G networks are switched off."
Ofcom's publication of 2G inbound roaming not-spot data (April 2025) is a concrete regulatory action directly supporting the 2G switch-off and telecare/CNI protection objectives of this thread.
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What it adds: This is a distinct Ofcom data publication not captured elsewhere on the thread, providing postcode-level coverage data to help telecare providers prepare for 2G switch-off.
"We are publishing a list of postcodes containing premises that are predicted to become new '2G inbound roaming not-spots' indoors, to assist interested sectors, especially the telecare sector."
Ofcom's 3G not-spot data publication is a regulatory monitoring output directly relevant to the network modernisation and coverage resilience themes of this thread.
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What it adds: The thread has no Ofcom data publications on coverage impacts of the switch-off; this fills that gap for the 3G phase, complementing the 2G inbound roaming not-spot data.
"3G mobile network switch-off is underway in the UK; as these switch offs take place, we estimate that an additional but small number of properties might lose access to a reliable, indoor, 3G-only mobile service."
This Ofcom news announcement formally published the regulator's expectations for MNOs during 2G/3G switch-off, marking the start of Ofcom's active regulatory oversight of the switch-off process.
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What it adds: The thread's earliest entry is February 2024; this February 2023 Ofcom announcement is an earlier key regulatory milestone that set the framework for subsequent government and industry action.
"We expect mobile operators to provide a minimum of three to six months' notice of the steps customers need to take, and to communicate clearly using a range of methods to raise awareness."
Related but separate issue
1 itemLow confidence — needs review
1 itemOfcom's plan of work consultation sets out its regulatory priorities for 2026/27 including 2G switch-off preparations, making it relevant to this thread's forward-looking regulatory context.
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What it adds: Provides Ofcom's own forward regulatory programme for 2G switch-off oversight, which is not captured elsewhere on the thread.
"Migration from legacy services: with 3G switch-off reaching its conclusion, we will focus further on preparations for 2G switch-off."
Already covered in this thread
6 itemsThis is the formally designated SSP that directly governs Ofcom's regulatory approach to telecoms modernisation including 2G switch-off and PSTN migration — a major policy milestone for this thread.
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What it adds: The thread has the Feb 2026 written statements laying the draft SSP, but not the final designated publication itself (April 2026), which is the operative policy document.
"The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology designated this statement for the purposes of section 2A of the Communications Act 2003 on 27 April 2026."
This is the government's formal consultation response that shaped the final SSP, directly addressing 2G switch-off and PSTN modernisation policy — a key decision document for this thread.
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What it adds: The thread records the written statements laying the draft SSP but not the government's response to the consultation that preceded it, which explains the policy choices made.
"As modernisation includes both fixed (PSTN migration, Exchange Exit) and wireless networks (2G switch-off) the modernisation section of the proposed Statement has been moved to a new section 1c."
This is the statutory consultation on the SSP that ran July–September 2025, directly covering telecoms modernisation and 2G switch-off policy — a formal consultation event missing from the thread.
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What it adds: The thread has no entry for the SSP consultation itself (only the Feb 2026 written statements), leaving a gap in the policy lifecycle between the 2024 entries and the March 2026 charters.
"To support the modernisation of telecoms networks: Ofcom should collaborate with the telecoms industry, government, and other partners (like the telecare sector) to ensure that there is no significant adverse impact on Critical National Infrastructure throughout modernisation programmes."
The Explanatory Memorandum is a formal parliamentary document accompanying the SSP, setting out the legal basis and policy rationale for telecoms modernisation including 2G switch-off.
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What it adds: The thread has the written statements but not the Explanatory Memorandum, which provides the statutory context and detailed policy justification for the SSP designation.
"On modernisation, the Statement sets out the importance the government attaches to the modernisation of the UK's digital infrastructure, including: the need for modernisation to protect lives."
The Commons Library briefing is a comprehensive secondary synthesis of the 2G/3G switch-off policy, useful context but not itself a primary policy event.
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What it adds: Provides a consolidated reference for the thread's policy context but does not represent a new government or regulatory decision.
"The mobile industry plans to switch off the 3G mobile network by 2025. 2G will be retired by 2033 at the latest. This page provides information about the switch-off, including how users may be affected."
The draft SSP laid before Parliament on 11 February 2026 is the formal parliamentary document that preceded designation, directly covering telecoms modernisation and 2G switch-off policy.
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What it adds: The thread has the written statements announcing the laying of the draft SSP but not the gov.uk publication of the draft document itself, which is a distinct citable primary source.
"The Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum and postal services was laid in draft before Parliament on 11 February 2026."
Background context only
2 itemsThe Commons Library PSTN briefing is useful background on the fixed-line modernisation strand of this thread but is a secondary synthesis rather than a primary policy event.
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What it adds: Provides updated context on PSTN migration timelines and consumer protection issues, but does not add a new primary source event to the thread.
"The industry had originally targeted a switch-off date of 31 December 2025. However, the migration of customers has been 'paused' twice in response to concerns raised about the impact on customers who rely on landlines."
Ofcom's consumer-facing guidance page on 2G/3G switch-off is useful context but is a living guidance page rather than a discrete policy event.
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What it adds: Provides consumer-facing regulatory context but does not represent a new policy decision or formal regulatory output beyond what is already captured by the expectations document.
"All mobile network operators have confirmed to the Government that they will switch off 2G by 2033 at the latest, and individual mobile network operators may decide to switch off services earlier."