Mobile operators across Spain are phasing out 2G and 3G networks, putting many cars’ eCall systems at risk of losing their connection to emergency services. Older modules may not connect to 4G or 5G, so an SOS call could fail when drivers need help.
Most eCall modules in Spanish cars work only with 2G or 3G. In a crash, they are meant to call 112 and send the car’s location, even if the driver cannot move. As older networks disappear, those calls could fail.
Joseba Barrenengoa, an engineer and founder of EasyGas, has warned about the issue for months. As 2G and 3G vanish, some cars will lose their emergency link. The hardware will remain in the car, but without a working network, it will be useless. The European Commission says up to 64 million vehicles across the EU could lose eCall if nothing changes.
Not every car faces the same risk. The EU made eCall mandatory for new passenger cars and light vans from March 31, 2018, but the technology varies. Some newer cars already use 4G or 5G; many do not. Drivers should check the manual or ask the manufacturer to find out which system their car has.
Barrenengoa says a life-saving system should not go dark while a car remains roadworthy. He has also criticized automakers that refuse to update or retrofit older eCall units, leaving drivers to believe they are protected when they may not be.
Operators are phasing out 3G at different rates. The LS Telcom study says some plan to keep 2G for IoT devices until at least 2030, while others may end 2G/3G support as early as 2027. Public statements by major Spanish operators indicate that Movistar plans to complete its 2G/3G shutdown by mid-2027, while MasOrange intends to end 3G by December 31, 2027, but keep 2G for IoT devices until at least the end of 2030. The European Commission and operator disclosures describe a staggered approach, so the risk to eCall systems will vary by region and operator.
Spain has not set a single date for shutting down 2G and 3G nationwide. The government began a public consultation on December 17, 2025, to study the impact on services such as eCall. Feedback closes January 20, 2026. eCall will fail only when every compatible network in an area is gone, but the transition has begun. Drivers may not realize their system has stopped working until they need help.
From January 1, 2026, new vehicle approvals must support the next generation of eCall. By January 1, 2027, further requirements will apply to new cars under transition rules. These deadlines do not require upgrades to cars already on the road, leaving millions potentially affected as the networks they rely on disappear.
A car can look fine while its most impressive safety feature is cut off from emergency services. As reported earlier, Spain’s car market is changing fast, with more electric vehicles and new technology. Digital upgrades can also leave older systems behind, putting basic safety at risk even when no parts are broken.
The eCall issue shows what can happen when technology lifespans and public safety do not align. Spain and the EU are moving ahead with new networks, but without mandatory retrofits or clear plans, millions could lose a system intended to save lives. Automakers’ reluctance to fix older units and regulatory gaps could leave drivers without emergency help or any warning. Policymakers need to act before silent failures put lives at risk.
