2G and 3G switch-off in Israel
Quick answer
2G in Israel: Partly off, 2026. No operator has announced a 3G switch-off date. Partner closed 2G for voice on 30 April 2026, keeping it for M2M and emergency calls. Cellcom planned to close it in March 2026, completion not confirmed.
3GNo dates announced
2GPartly off, 2026
Operators
Checked 30 October 2026.
Dates are set by each operator and can change. Check with us before you plan around them.
| Operator | 3G | 2G |
|---|---|---|
| Cellcom Israel | No date announced | Planned for March 2026, completion not confirmed |
| Partner | Not confirmed | Off for voice, 30 April 2026 (kept for M2M and emergency calls) |
| Pelephone | No date announced | Not confirmed |
Details
- Cellcom Israel 2G. Cellcom told the Ministry of Communications that it planned to shut down 2G in March 2026; 2G stays on for M2M devices and emergency calls until 31 December 2028. Cellcom Israel
- Cellcom Israel 3G. Since February 2026 Cellcom has run 3G only on its 2100 MHz frequencies; under the ministry's December 2025 decision, the operator chooses the 3G shutdown date and tells the ministry. Cellcom Israel
- Partner 2G. Partner says that under the Ministry of Communications' new plan, 2G phones cannot make or receive calls or use data from 30 April 2026; it offers LTE-M and NB-IoT for M2M devices. Partner Communications
- Pelephone 3G. Pelephone says 3G is expected to close at every Israeli operator under the ministry's decision, after which only VoLTE phones can call and IoT/M2M devices must support LTE-M or NB-IoT; the page gives no date. Pelephone
Regulator and government
- In June 2021 the Ministry of Communications set 31 December 2025 for ending 2G and 3G. On 30 December 2025 it allowed legacy service until 31 January 2026, and from 1 February 2026 only on bands above 1 GHz. It also allowed limited 3G at 850 MHz until 29 March 2026, and 2G for M2M devices and emergency calls until 31 December 2028. Cellcom Israel
- The Ministry of Communications' June 2021 decision banned imports of 2G/3G-only phones from 1 January 2022 and banned connecting such equipment from 1 January 2023. Partner Communications
What this means for your devices
Each SIM profile has its own page, showing where it works and what it supports.
Common questions
When does 2G switch off in Israel?
Partly off, 2026.
Is 3G still working in Israel?
No dates announced.
Sources
- Cellcom Israel Ltd. Periodic Report for 2025 (describing the Ministry of Communications decisions), Cellcom Israel
- סגירת רשתות דור 2 ודור 3 (Closure of the 2G and 3G networks), Partner Communications
- סגירת רשתות דור 3 בישראל (Closure of 3G networks in Israel), Pelephone
- Partner Communications reports Ministry of Communications decision to shut down MRT networks operating on old technologies, Partner Communications
Checked 30 October 2026. Dates move, so check the operator’s own notice before you plan a change.