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Navigating the UK’s 2G/3G Shutdown:
How Spotcom Future-Proofs Industrial Connectivity with the ELPRO 641M LTE Gateway and 115E Series I/O
 

As UK mobile network providers move toward a complete shutdown of 2G and 3G networks by 2033, industries that still rely on these aging technologies for mission-critical M2M (machine-to-machine) applications must act now. From utilities and water infrastructure to manufacturing and energy, the transition demands robust, modern alternatives that preserve functionality while adding security, performance, and scalability.

The Impending 2G/3G Sunset: A Disruption or an Opportunity?

The networks being phased out are widely used for:

• Remote telemetry and SCADA communications (GSM/GPRS modems)

• Alarm systems and control logic with SMS fallback

• Serial-based PLC data transmission over 3G

The shutdown will significantly impact legacy devices relying on non-IP serial or low-bandwidth digital/analog signaling—unless they’re migrated to newer infrastructure.

Spotcom’s LTE Migration Suite:
641M LTE Gateway + 115E Modular I/O System

At Spotcom, we offer a tailored, field-proven upgrade path. Our solution combines:
 

✅ ELPRO 641M LTE Industrial Cellular Gateway

• 4G LTE CAT4 connectivity with fallback options

• Supports Ethernet and serial interfaces (RS-232/485)

• Protocol support: Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, MQTT/Sparkplug B

• VPN, firewall, NAT, and IP filtering for security

• DIN-rail mountable, extended temp and voltage ratings
   

✅ ELPRO 115E Series Modular I/O

• Provides seamless point-to-point or point-to-multipoint transmission of:

  • Digital inputs and outputs

  • Analog inputs/outputs (0–24 mA / 0–10 VDC)

  • Serial data (RS-232/485)

  • Industrial protocols like Modbus RTU and ASCII

• Designed to work natively with ELPRO gateways such as the 641M or 415U-2-Cx series

• Ideal for extending legacy Modbus RTU or analog sensor networks over IP

Together, the 641M and 115E enable a modular migration strategy, letting you upgrade critical communication paths without full PLC replacement or rewiring.
 

Ideal for These Industrial Applications:

• Remote well pad control (digital/analog signals)

• Serial-connected RTUs and PLCs in substations

• Pump stations and telemetry in water/wastewater networks

• On-site I/O collection and retransmission across distributed assets

• Edge automation with local I/O + LTE cloud backhaul

Why Choose Spotcom?

Spotcom provides:

• Site audits to identify legacy 2G/3G dependencies

• Custom migration design using 641M and 115E combinations

• Deployment and commissioning services

• Ongoing diagnostics, support, and training to maintain uptime

You can preserve existing I/O logic and serial protocol communications while taking full advantage of LTE’s speed, reach, and longevity.

Get Ahead of the Change

The shift away from 2G/3G is not a matter of if, but when. Future-proof your infrastructure today with Spotcom’s industrial-grade connectivity solutions.