Israel: Countdown Begins on 2G and 3G Network Sunset

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Israel’s Ministry of Communications has officially announced that all 2G and 3G cellular networks in the country will be deactivated starting January 1, 2026. This policy marks a significant regulatory shift, aiming to streamline national telecom infrastructure and support the adoption of modern wireless technologies like 4G and 5G.

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Transition Oversight and Compliance

The network sunset is being coordinated between the Ministry of Communications and mobile network operators to ensure a seamless transition. Regulatory oversight includes ensuring that all carriers cease the provisioning of legacy services and that public awareness campaigns are in place to assist affected users. Stakeholders, including importers and distributors, must verify that all mobile equipment entering or being sold in the Israeli market supports at least 4G LTE.

Device Certification and Market Requirements

Mobile devices and SIM cards that operate exclusively on 2G or 3G networks will no longer meet compliance standards after the cutoff date. These devices will be inoperable on any network in Israel. As such, manufacturers, resellers, and operators must ensure that all new and existing inventory is clearly labeled and certified for 4G or higher technologies. Failure to comply may result in market restrictions or device disqualification from use.

Implications for Operators and End Users

Telecom carriers are expected to take proactive steps to phase out legacy SIM provisioning, communicate upgrade paths to customers, and support the migration of users with older devices. End users especially enterprise customers managing large device fleets should begin auditing their hardware to ensure continued compatibility post-2025. The regulation is also expected to impact certain industrial and IoT deployments still relying on legacy networks.

For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity. 

Quick Country Facts

Israel

Certification Body: Ministry of Communication (MOC)

Certification Type: Mandatory

License Validity: 24 Months

Application Language: Hebrew

Legal License Holder: Importer

In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required

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