Sweden is beginning a nationwide shutdown of its 2G and 3G networks this month, a move intended to bolster faster 4G and 5G service. Tho, the transition is creating a critical public safety concern, as tens of thousands of mobile users are now at risk of losing the ability to contact emergency services via 112. The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) has mandated that operators begin blocking affected phones from their networks-in some cases, as early as December 1-after identifying a flaw in a previously relied-upon workaround.
Tens of thousands of mobile users in Sweden will lose the ability to connect to the emergency number 112 as older 2G and 3G networks are phased out.
In some cases, users will be completely unable to make calls at all – effectively being cut off from the network.
Some customers are already experiencing disruptions as of Monday.
“From December 1, your mobile will be blocked from making and receiving calls due to a lack of support for emergency calls,” Tele2 informed affected customers in a recent communication.
Tele2, Tre, and Telenor are beginning the shutdown of their 2G and 3G networks on December 1, a move designed to free up capacity for the more modern 4G and 5G networks. This transition requires users with older mobile phones and connected devices lacking 4G or 5G compatibility to upgrade their equipment. The planned network changes have been widely publicized, but the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) recently discovered that an additional segment of mobile users will be impacted.
Certain phones will be unable to reach the 112 emergency number through the operator’s network following the shutdown, even if they are utilizing 4G technology.
– I cannot specify the exact number, but we are talking about tens of thousands of users, says Petter Öhrn, press officer at PTS, to Senioren.
Service Disruptions Already Underway
According to the PTS, Tele2, Tre, and Telenor have been relying on affected mobile phones to connect to Telia’s 2G network for emergency calls, which is scheduled to remain operational until 2027. However, the PTS has determined that this workaround is not sufficiently reliable and, on November 21, mandated that operators block these phones from their networks starting February 2, 2026.
The issue centers on phones with 4G capabilities, including Voice over LTE (VoLTE) technology for voice calls, but lacking support for emergency calls over 4G/VoLTE. This situation highlights the complexities of transitioning to newer mobile technologies and ensuring continued access to critical services.
For phones requiring a specific action, such as SIM card removal to connect to Telia’s network, the blocking requirement takes effect immediately, starting December 1.
Prioritizing Public Safety
The PTS has directed the operators to identify and contact all affected customers, who will need to either upgrade their mobile phone or switch providers.
“We understand this may be burdensome for users who now need to replace their phone or operator. At the same time, the alternative is worse. We cannot risk people believing they have a working phone service, only to find out they cannot reach 112,” stated PTS Director-General Dan Sjöblom in a press release accompanying the decision.
Marielle Theander Olsson
