m2mmanager
As previously communicated in May 2024, French operators have announced the progressive shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. Below is a reminder of the shutdown dates:
Orange: by the end of 2025 for 2G and the end of 2028 for 3G
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Bouygues Telecom: by the end of 2026 for 2G and the end of 2029 for 3G
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SFR: by the end of 2026 for 2G and the end of 2028 for 3G
Following the planned phase-out of these technologies, connected devices that are not compatible with more recent cellular technologies such as 4G or 5G will no longer be able to connect to the aforementioned operators' networks.
As a reminder, for equipment to operate on 4G networks, three prerequisites are necessary:
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A 4G-compatible SIM card,
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A 4G-compatible subscription,
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A 4G-compatible module (hardware).
It is important to note that voice calls are currently made via "circuit/GSM" mode on 2G or 3G networks. Once these networks are completely decommissioned, no voice or SMS communications will be possible on these technologies.
Some of your SIERRA WIRELESS (SEMTECH) SIM cards are only compatible with 2G/3G networks and will never be able to access 4G networks.
When the 2G and 3G technologies are shut down, older versions of SIERRA WIRELESS SIM cards earlier than version V4 will not function on 4G networks, even if these SIM cards are used in 4G modules.
It is therefore imperative to replace these SIM cards before the 2G and 3G services are discontinued with 4G-compatible SIM cards to ensure that your 4G-compatible equipment continues to operate.
Access to 4G Networks and New Technologies Such as VoLTE and LPWAN on Other SIERRA WIRELESS SIM Versions.
Other versions of SIERRA WIRELESS SIM cards are 4G-compatible. However, we have not yet received confirmation from SIERRA WIRELESS that these SIM cards will provide access to all 4G services such as VoLTE, SMSoIP, LPWAN NB-IoT, or LTE-M.
Additionally, some customers have reported that their SIERRA WIRELESS SIM cards are no longer connecting to SFR’s network, including certain multi-IMSI V4 and V5 versions that previously had access. We have not received official information from SIERRA WIRELESS regarding roaming agreements or the available technologies for each SIM card version, despite multiple follow-ups on our part.
Since November 2024, SIERRA WIRELESS has discontinued the ordering of V4 and V5 SIM cards as they have ceased production. However, you may continue to activate existing V4 and V5 cards in your stock.
For your future projects, we remain fully capable of offering solutions from other operators. Our teams are available to assist you during this transition.
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By phone: +33(0)4 88 36 07 40 (choice 4)
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By email: helpme@matooma.com
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Via your M2Mmanager account: My Requests menu