Last checked 1 November 2026 against ComReg and Eir. Operators set their own dates, so check your own operator and supplier.
What is happening in Ireland
ComReg says Vodafone switched off its 3G network in October 2024, and that Clear Mobile and An Post Mobile use the Vodafone network. Eir announced that it is switching off its 3G network from 1 October 2026, starting in Donegal, on a phased basis over a number of weeks until 6 November. GoMo and Lyca Mobile use the Eir network, so their 3G services are also retired.
Eir’s own page lists the phases as Donegal on 1 October, north, west and east (excluding the east coast) on 14 October, Dublin, Meath and Louth on 21 October and the southern counties on 28 October. Eir says that if you have an old 3G SIM or device, 3G data services will stop working and calls and texts move to 2G, where quality may vary.
Why it matters for GPS trackers
A GPS tracker sends its position over the mobile network. ComReg lists GPS trackers and inventory trackers among the devices that may be affected, and Eir says some alarms, trackers, medical devices and cars that use an Eir SIM and depend entirely on 3G will need to be updated where possible or replaced. A tracker that can only use 3G will still find its position but cannot report it once 3G is withdrawn in its area. ComReg says older devices that also have 2G can continue with data on 2G at much slower speeds, while Eir says 3G data services will stop working, so test a unit rather than assume.
What to check
- Which mobile technologies does each tracker use? “4G compatible” is not the same as 4G only.
- Which SIM and network is it on? A SIM tied to one network has no fallback if that network retires a service.
- Is any unit older or fitted for a one-off job? Those are the likeliest to be on older technology.
- Does your platform flag a tracker that stops reporting?
No Irish 2G end date has been confirmed by the operators on the pages we checked, so 2G is not a deadline today, but it is sensible to plan ahead.
If you are not sure what your trackers use, contact Trackmatic with what you run. See also our tracker range and vehicle tracking in Ireland.
Sources
ComReg, 3G Retirement; Eir, 3G switch-off. Both checked 1 November 2026.
Want a price for your vehicles? Request pricing, get a quick quote or call 01 254 8367.
