The Fire Industry Association (FIA) is encouraging organisations across the fire and life safety sector to review any systems that rely on 2G mobile network connectivity, following correspondence from the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). DSIT has identified the fire sector as potentially having critical equipment, services, or processes that depend on 2G communications and has called on industry stakeholders to begin planning for migration to newer technologies. 

As part of the wider modernisation of the UK's digital infrastructure, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) will retire their 2G networks between 2029 and 2030. DSIT has been working with government departments, network operators and industry bodies to identify sectors that may be affected and to ensure the transition takes place safely and responsibly, while protecting consumers, vulnerable users, critical national infrastructure (CNI) and life-critical services. 
In its communication to the FIA, DSIT stated that the fire sector may have "one or more potential critical use cases that use the 2G network". These could include alarm signalling and monitoring systems, remote communications equipment, and devices originally designed to use 3G services that revert to 2G as a fallback connection. Any equipment that remains dependent on 2G could lose connectivity once the relevant mobile networks are withdrawn if action is not taken in advance. 

Current Switch-Off Timetable

According to the Government's latest Telecommunications Modernisation programme, the planned withdrawal of 2G services is expected to follow this timetable:

• EE will begin nationwide retirement of its 2G network in May 2029.
• Virgin Media O2 is expected to start switching off its 2G network during summer 2029.
• VodafoneThree plans to commence 2G switch-off activities in spring 2030, with earlier local trials expected.

Although the final switch-off dates remain several years away, organisations should be aware that local trials, phased withdrawals and migration programmes may begin considerably earlier. For many fire safety applications, particularly those supporting life-safety services, upgrading equipment can involve lengthy planning cycles, product approvals, procurement, commissioning and testing.

What Fire Industry Organisations Should Do
The FIA recommends that members and other organisations responsible for fire safety systems begin assessing their exposure to the 2G switch-off programme by:

• Identifying alarm signalling, monitoring and other connected equipment that may use 2G connectivity.
• Confirming the underlying communications technology with manufacturers, signalling providers and network operators.
• Establishing whether devices use 2G as a primary communication path or solely as a fallback connection.
• Determining whether equipment can be upgraded or whether replacement will be required.
• Prioritising systems supporting life-safety functions and critical infrastructure.
• Developing migration and testing plans well in advance of the switch-off dates.
• Recording assessments and actions as part of broader business continuity and risk management processes.

Organisations should not assume that mobile network operators will always be able to identify end users of embedded 2G devices. In many cases, connectivity arrangements may be managed through manufacturers, signalling providers, integrators or other organisations within the supply chain.

Government Support and Next Steps
DSIT has advised that it will be issuing formal correspondence to industry associations identified as potentially affected by the 2G switch-off. The department has also offered to engage directly with relevant sector representatives to discuss the implications of the programme and to highlight support available to assist organisations in preparing for the transition.

The Government's voluntary 2G Switch-off Charter commits network operators to helping protect vulnerable users, life-critical services and critical national infrastructure during the transition. However, responsibility for identifying affected equipment and ensuring continuity of service ultimately remains with system owners and operators.

The FIA will continue to engage with DSIT and other stakeholders to better understand the potential impact on fire detection, alarm signalling, monitoring and related fire safety technologies. Further guidance will be provided to members as more information becomes available and the sector's potential exposure becomes clearer.