Telecom Armenia OJSC, operating under the brand Team Telecom Armenia, is launching a large-scale network modernization and optimization program that will culminate on November 15, 2025, with the complete shutdown of the 2G network in Armenia. The freed-up resources will be redirected to next-generation technologies, making Team the first operator in the Caucasus to fully phase out 2G—a milestone that will significantly enhance network quality, security, and energy efficiency.
The second-generation mobile network, launched in Armenia 30 years ago in 1995, no longer meets today’s technological requirements. It is time to replace it with advanced solutions that ensure safer digital communications and more efficient coverage.
The frequencies, infrastructure, equipment, and software resources freed up after the shutdown of 2G will make it possible to rapidly expand 4G and 5G coverage nationwide, including in remote areas. More than 1,000 of the company’s base stations will operate exclusively on modern technologies, providing subscribers with more reliable and faster mobile and internet access.
“Recognizing the importance of timely optimization and the deployment of the latest technologies, we are ready to be the first to take this step, making innovative solutions even more accessible to our customers. This move will allow us to modernize mobile coverage, boost network efficiency, and significantly improve quality,” said Hayk Yesayan, CEO of Team Telecom Armenia.
Under the 2G network, subscribers had virtually no access to mobile internet services, limiting the use of modern communication tools. Next-generation networks not only enable simultaneous use of both voice and internet services, but are also far more energy-efficient, helping reduce environmental impact.
This optimization is part of Team Telecom Armenia’s previously announced mobile network modernization strategy, aimed at delivering advanced, accessible, and sustainable connectivity across the entire country.
Additional Information: Why We Are Retiring 2G Now
- Security. 2G’s aging standards are widely documented as vulnerable to interception and spoofing, and modern platforms have moved to mitigate these risks. Android even allows users to disable 2G radios due to security concerns. Migrating traffic off 2G helps provide a more secure baseline for customers.
- Energy efficiency. Newer radio technologies deliver far more data per joule than legacy systems. Carrying traffic on 4G and 5G instead of 2G translates to lower energy consumption per transmitted bit and reduced environmental impact.
- Global move away from 2G. This aligns with a worldwide trend. The GSMA reports more than 150 commercial 2G and 3G shutdowns announced or completed by late 2024, with many more expected through 2030, as operators repurpose spectrum to 4G and 5G.
- Device support for customers. As a social component of this project, Team Telecom Armenia has launched a special program for customers who used 2G-only phones in the last three months to obtain modern devices that support newer network technologies.
