Phones blocked over emergency calls: Norway orders Telia and Ice to cut off 2G-reliant handsets

On Thursday 29 October the regulator published an explainer, “Why phones are being blocked from the mobile networks” (in Norwegian). “Blocking a phone from the mobile network is an intrusive measure, which is why it is a last resort. If the problem cannot be solved any other way, health and safety must come first,” says Inger Vollstad, head of section at Nkom.

Why block a phone that can still make calls?

Some handsets use 4G for everyday calls but drop back to 2G when they dial an emergency number. Telia switched off its 2G network in autumn 2025, and Lyse Tele has no 2G network of its own, Nkom says.

These customers have therefore relied on Telenor’s 2G network to reach the emergency services. Nkom calls this emergency roaming – a phone that cannot complete an emergency call on its own network borrows another operator’s. The regulator says Telia and Lyse cannot count on a rival’s network to solve the problem for them.

Can Telia block my phone?

In principle, yes – but as of 20 August 2026 Telia had no such phones on its network. According to Nkom, Telia monitors emergency calls continuously to spot phones that try to fall back to 2G.

At Lyse Tele, the operator behind Ice, it is a different story. By 20 August it had identified 744 active phones that depended on another network to make emergency calls.

Nkom says the problem affects “a limited number of phone models”. It has not published a list of which ones.

How do I know whether my phone is affected?

The most reliable sign is a message from your operator, which identifies affected phones itself and contacts customers directly. The notice must arrive at least three weeks before the block and explain that the phone will be blocked, why and from when – and that you need a new phone to stay connected.

You can also check whether your phone supports 4G calling (VoLTE). Ice’s guidance is to open the mobile network settings and look under Voice and data or Network mode: if you cannot choose 4G, LTE or 5G, the phone has to be replaced.

Bear the limitation in mind, though: a phone that makes normal calls over 4G can still be one of those that need 2G for emergency calls – which is exactly what this case is about. “Don’t call an emergency number to test your phone. Contact your mobile operator directly if you have questions or are unsure,” Vollstad says.

If you are replacing your phone anyway, our piece on what is changing in phone batteries in 2026 is worth a read.

Will switching to Telenor help?

Not necessarily. Nkom notes that a phone can complete emergency calls on one network but not on another, even when ordinary calls work on both.

Telenor is the last Norwegian operator with 2G, but according to Telenor’s own 2G page the network closes on 31 December 2027. After that, Telenor says, phones without 4G calling will not be able to make calls at all. Telenor postponed the shutdown in December 2024, partly for the sake of personal safety alarms.

Ice customers lost 2G access on 27 May 2025. Other bits of invisible infrastructure are changing too, as the abolition of the leap second shows.

Can you call for help with no signal at all?

Without coverage from any mobile network, an ordinary call to 113 will not go through. But since 29 September 2026, newer iPhones have been able to send emergency messages by satellite to Norway’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (HRS), according to Nkom (30 October 2026). Apple’s “Emergency SOS via satellite” is currently being piloted in Norway.

“Of the three real incidents in the first month, Apple SOS probably helped save at least one life,” says Rune Danielsen, rescue coordinator and Apple SOS project lead at HRS.

Key points about satellite SOS

• Requires an iPhone 14 or later on iOS 26.4 or later, or an Apple Watch Ultra 3 on watchOS 26.4 or later.
• Text only – no voice calls.
• Does not work more than 12 nautical miles offshore, and mountains, buildings and foliage can block the signal.
• According to Apple Support, it is free for two years after activation, and you should try calling the emergency number first.

Nkom stresses that the feature does not replace a personal locator beacon, satellite phone or radio. For Android, it is still unclear whether Google’s satellite features can connect to HRS; Nkom has contacted Google.

What happens next?

Counting from the announcement on 23 September, the six-week deadline for phones already identified expired around 4 November. Nkom has not said whether the blocks have been carried out. Phones discovered later must be blocked within two months, always with at least three weeks’ notice.

The next big milestone is Telenor’s 2G shutdown on 31 December 2027, after which every phone in Norway will need to make calls over 4G or 5G. More technology coverage is on nettsak.no/en/technology.

Frequently asked questions

Can Telia block my phone?

Yes, if the phone can only reach the emergency services through another operator’s 2G network and the fault cannot be fixed otherwise. As of 20 August 2026, Telia had no such phones.

How do I know if my phone needs 2G for emergency calls?

Your operator will notify you at least three weeks before any block. If you are unsure, contact your operator – do not call an emergency number to test.

Does 113 work without coverage?

An ordinary call needs mobile coverage. With an iPhone 14 or later on iOS 26.4, you can send a text-based emergency message by satellite to the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre.

Which Norwegian operators still run 2G in 2026?

Only Telenor. Telia closed its 2G network in 2025, Ice customers lost 2G on 27 May 2025, and Telenor will switch off 2G on 31 December 2027.