The Government of Rwanda has approved a phased roadmap to retire the country’s legacy 2G and 3G mobile networks as it accelerates the nationwide transition to 4G and 5G connectivity. Under the plan, 3G services will be switched off across the country on 30 June 2027, while the retirement of the 2G network is provisionally targeted for December 2028, subject to the country’s readiness and the successful completion of the 3G migration.
According to the government, the continued operation of four generations of mobile technology simultaneously has become increasingly expensive and inefficient. Maintaining 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G networks consumes valuable radio spectrum, increases operational and maintenance costs, and limits investment in newer technologies. Retiring the older networks will free up additional spectrum for 4G and 5G services, enabling faster data speeds, improved network capacity and enhanced security.
The government noted that Rwanda’s transition aligns with a broader global trend, with many countries already shutting down older mobile networks. However, officials also acknowledged the need for a carefully managed migration. A study conducted for Rwanda found that, without intervention, more than two million people could still be using 2G devices by 2030, with affordability remaining a key barrier to adopting 4G-enabled smartphones. As a result, the transition plan includes measures aimed at improving the affordability of compatible devices and ensuring that vulnerable users are not left behind.
Before the nationwide 3G shutdown proceeds, authorities said several conditions must be met. The Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT), the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA) and mobile operators will monitor nationwide 4G coverage, particularly in rural areas, alongside the reliability of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) services, including support for emergency calls. They will also ensure uninterrupted access to essential services such as voice calls, SMS, mobile money, digital payments and other services that currently depend on legacy technologies.
The government will also oversee the migration of systems that still rely on USSD, 2G or 3G infrastructure, including connected devices such as utility meters, vehicle trackers and security systems. Other areas of focus include the availability of affordable 4G handsets, customer support and public awareness campaigns throughout the transition period.
The migration will take place in phases over the next two years. During 2026, mobile operators will continue expanding 4G coverage, validate the performance of VoLTE services, identify devices and applications dependent on older networks and begin migrating them to newer technologies. Operators will also conduct trial shutdowns in selected locations to identify and resolve potential issues before the nationwide switch-off.
During the first half of 2027, operators and service providers will complete the migration of critical systems, notify affected customers, strengthen customer support channels and establish a joint incident response team to manage any issues arising during the transition. Monitoring and reporting activities will increase as the 30 June 2027 deadline approaches.
The government said temporary extensions may be granted for a limited number of critical services where a genuine operational need exists. However, such extensions will require regulatory approval, must be supported by a clear migration plan and will not be open-ended.
Consumers using 3G devices have been advised to begin preparing well ahead of the switch-off date by checking whether their phones and SIM cards support 4G, upgrading devices where necessary and avoiding the purchase of phones that only support 2G or 3G connectivity. Users are also encouraged to consult their mobile operators on how frequently used services, including USSD-based services, will function after the migration and to follow official updates from MINICT, RURA and their mobile service providers.
To help customers verify compatibility, MTN Rwanda subscribers can check whether their SIM card supports 4G by dialing 4561#, while Airtel Rwanda customers can dial 2555*4#. Operators will also proactively contact customers who need to replace either their SIM cards, their devices or both.
Businesses, government agencies and other organisations have also been urged to audit equipment and services that rely on 2G or 3G connectivity, including payment terminals, utility meters, security systems, vehicle trackers and USSD-based services. Organisations are expected to appoint transition managers, allocate budgets for upgrades, test replacement systems and ensure critical services remain operational before the June 2027 deadline.
MINICT and RURA are coordinating the nationwide migration through a multi-stakeholder working group comprising mobile operators, government institutions, financial sector players and other affected organisations. The government said it will continue providing regular progress updates and will review the outcome of the 3G switch-off before confirming the final timeline for retiring the country’s remaining 2G network.
