2G Shutdown GPS Tracker Upgrade: Moving Your Fleet to 4G AIS-140 Devices
Indian operators have already switched off 3G in many circles and are steadily refarming 2G spectrum for 4G and 5G, so 2G-only VLTDs and GPS trackers are going quiet. This guide walks through a 2G shutdown GPS tracker upgrade end to end: finding the 2G units in your fleet, replacing them with 4G AIS-140 devices, and re-linking IMEIs on Vahan without breaking compliance.
By GPSBULL · Updated 2026-08-15 · Manufacturer of AIS-140 certified VLT devices, New Delhi
What is actually happening to 2G and 3G networks in India
A 2G shutdown GPS tracker upgrade sounds like a single deadline, but in India the change is gradual and uneven. Here is the picture, as of writing, for anyone running AIS-140 vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs) or plain GPS trackers.
3G is largely gone, 2G is shrinking
- 3G has largely been retired by the big private operators in most circles, with that spectrum re-used for 4G. A tracker that depended on 3G data has probably already lost service.
- 2G is still on air, but being thinned out. Most spectrum in India is technology-neutral, so an operator can move 900/1800 MHz capacity from 2G to 4G or 5G whenever it chooses, circle by circle. No nationwide, government-mandated 2G switch-off date had been announced at the time of writing; the timing is each operator's commercial decision.
- Coverage weakens before it disappears. As carriers are refarmed, 2G-only devices see poorer signal, slower reconnects and longer tracking gaps, particularly on highways and in industrial belts.
Treat this as a forecast, not a fixed date: confirm the current status with your M2M SIM provider for the circles your vehicles run in. The direction is certain, though: every new VLTD purchase should be 4G, and any 2G-only unit is on borrowed time.
Why 2G-only VLTDs and GPS trackers stop reporting
What happens inside the device
A 2G-only tracker carries a GSM/GPRS modem and nothing else. When the local 2G carrier is switched off or refarmed, the modem cannot register on any network. GPS keeps working and the unit logs positions to memory, but nothing reaches the server. You see vehicles frozen at their last known location, "last seen" times running into days, and bursts of stale data whenever the device briefly finds a surviving 2G cell.
Why it is a compliance problem, not only an IT problem
Under CMVR Rule 125H, public service vehicles as notified must carry a working vehicle location tracking device and emergency (panic) buttons meeting the AIS-140 standard published through ARAI/MoRTH. State transport departments run backends that watch device health, and state SOPs can treat a tampered or non-functional VLTD as a violation of permit conditions. The West Bengal Transport Department's VLTD SOP, for example, expects the device to be "continuously powered" and "maintained in working condition", and ties fitness processing on Vahan to activation details received from the state backend.
A silent 2G VLTD is therefore a fitness-renewal and permit risk, not just a missing dot on the map. For school buses and taxis it is also a safety gap: a panic button wired to a device that cannot get online raises no alarm at the control room. Enforcement differs by state, so confirm with your RTO before your next certificate of fitness.
How to audit your fleet and identify 2G devices
Before ordering anything, find out which vehicles actually carry a 2G-only unit.
- Export the device inventory from your tracking platform: vehicle number, device make and model, IMEI, SIM or ICCID number, and installation date.
- Check each model's radio. Look up the datasheet or ask the manufacturer to confirm from the IMEI. Model names often carry a "2G" or "4G" tag, and ARAI's public list of AIS-140 approved models includes separately listed 2G and 4G variants for some makers.
- Read the platform data. Many platforms show network type (GSM/GPRS versus LTE) in the device-health view, and vehicles with growing daily gaps on routes where 4G units report normally are strong candidates.
- Check the SIM as well as the device. A 4G device on a 2G-only M2M plan behaves like a 2G device. Note plan validity too; state SOPs commonly require a minimum subscription period for public service vehicles.
- Tag every vehicle as "replace now", "replace at next fitness" or "4G, no action", and record its next CF date and operating circles.
State backends and Vahan tie device to vehicle by IMEI, so keep the audit sheet for re-linking.
How a 2G shutdown GPS tracker upgrade works, step by step
The exact sequence varies by state, but a 2G shutdown GPS tracker upgrade for a public service vehicle generally follows the path below. Ordinary (non-AIS-140) trackers skip the Vahan and backend steps.
1. Choose an approved 4G AIS-140 device
The replacement must be AIS-140 certified, with a valid type approval (TAC) and conformity of production from a test agency recognised under CMVR Rule 126, such as ARAI, and usually must also appear on your state's approved or empanelled vendor list. As a manufacturer example, GPSBULL's AIS-140-4G device (model TRP-4G) holds ARAI type approval TAC AS9026, tracks on GPS, GLONASS and IRNSS (NavIC), and uses 4G LTE with a dual-network embedded SIM.
2. Physically replace the unit
An authorised dealer technician removes the old device, fits the new one and connects permanent power, ignition sense and ground. Replace corroded or under-rated wiring rather than reusing it, and label the IMEI clearly near the device as some state SOPs require.
3. Re-wire and test the panic buttons
Older buttons may use different connectors or logic than the new VLTD expects. State SOPs such as West Bengal's describe normally-closed (NC) buttons with an LED that glows steadily and blinks when pressed. Re-terminate each button, restore the hooter if fitted, and test-press every one until an alert reaches the app or backend. See our panic button guide for placement practice.
4. Re-link the IMEI on Vahan
The old device's IMEI is tagged to your vehicle in Vahan. The dealer or manufacturer, using their VLTD maker or state-backend login, links the new IMEI to the vehicle record along with SIM details (mobile numbers and IMSI), vehicle details and permit-holder details. In many states the owner's mobile number is then verified by OTP.
5. Backend re-activation and certificate
The state monitoring centre sends an activation command, checks that the device responds as per AIS-140, checks SIM validity and panic-button function, and pushes the activation status to Vahan. In states following this model, only then can the dealer download the fitment certificate that supports registration or fitness. Some states also require inspection by a motor vehicle inspector.
6. Update your own fleet platform
Swap the IMEI in your fleet management platform, re-attach geofences, alerts and driver mappings, retire the old device record and deactivate the old SIM so it stops billing.
Planning the upgrade fleet-wide
Sequence the work sensibly
- Passenger safety first: school buses, taxis and stage carriages before goods vehicles.
- Follow the network: start with circles where 3G is already gone and 2G is visibly weakening.
- Ride the fitness calendar: replace devices on vehicles whose certificate of fitness is due soon, so one RTO visit covers both.
- Batch by depot: with pre-registered devices a technician can often turn a vehicle around within a few hours, so schedule around off-peak shifts.
Budget and dealer capacity
Per-vehicle cost depends on the device, the number of panic buttons, wiring condition, subscription length and installation labour, so ask for a written quote per vehicle class rather than a headline figure. Check that your dealer is registered with the state backend, has trained technicians and offers support after hours; GPSBULL, for instance, runs device support 24/7. If you are also fitting speed governors, combine the visits.
Why a dual-eSIM 4G device is worth it
If you are replacing devices anyway, choose hardware that will not need replacing again at the next network shift. Two features matter most: a 4G LTE modem and a dual-network embedded SIM.
| Aspect | 2G-only tracker | 4G VLTD with dual-network eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Network life | Goes silent as 2G carriers are refarmed circle by circle | Rides on the network operators are investing in |
| Coverage on the move | One operator; blind where that operator is weak | Can register on either of two operator networks |
| SIM handling | Usually a removable card; can be pulled, misused or fall out | Embedded SIM; nothing to remove or swap |
| Positioning | Often GPS only | GPS plus IRNSS (NavIC) on current AIS-140 approvals; many units add GLONASS |
| Future work | Another replacement when 2G goes | Configuration and updates over the air |
Some 4G VLTDs also keep a 2G fallback for remote stretches while 2G still exists; ask the manufacturer what the modem supports. GPSBULL's VLT devices, for example, combine 4G LTE, a dual-network eSIM, IP68 housing, 12/24 V operation and over-the-air configuration. For non-permit vehicles, a wired 4G GPS tracker offers the same connectivity without the AIS-140 paperwork.
Upgrade checklist
- Audit done: every vehicle tagged 2G / 4G with IMEI, SIM, CF date and circles.
- Network confirmed: M2M provider consulted on 2G/3G status in your operating circles.
- Device approved: AIS-140 certified, valid TAC and CoP from a Rule 126 test agency, on the state's approved list.
- Dealer verified: registered with the state backend, trained technicians, after-hours support.
- Subscription right: plan validity meets your state's minimum for public service vehicles.
- Panic buttons: re-wired, LEDs steady, every button test-pressed and alert received.
- Vahan re-linked: new IMEI tagged, old IMEI released, owner OTP verified where required.
- Backend active: activation command answered, status pushed to Vahan, certificate downloaded.
- Platform updated: IMEI swapped, geofences and alerts restored, old SIM cancelled.
- Records filed: certificates, old and new IMEIs and invoices stored per vehicle; old units sent to e-waste.
Our AIS-140 GPS tracker page and guides library cover fitment rules in more depth. On deadlines and enforcement, your state transport department or RTO has the final word.
Frequently asked questions
Has 2G been shut down in India?
Not nationally, as of writing. 3G has largely been retired by the major private operators in most circles, while 2G is still on air but being progressively refarmed to 4G and 5G circle by circle. Confirm the current status with your M2M SIM provider for the areas your vehicles operate in.
Will my 2G AIS-140 device stop being compliant?
A device that cannot connect cannot report to the state backend, and state SOPs such as West Bengal's treat a non-functional VLTD as a permit violation that can hold up fitness processing on Vahan. Check with your state transport department, but plan to move 2G-only units to 4G before they go silent.
Do I need to re-register on Vahan when I replace a VLTD?
In most states, yes. The dealer or manufacturer links the new device IMEI and SIM details to the vehicle record, the state backend re-activates the device and checks the panic buttons, and only then can the new fitment certificate be downloaded. Exact steps vary by state, so confirm with your RTO.
Can I keep my old panic buttons when upgrading to a 4G VLTD?
Sometimes, but they must be re-wired to the new device, tested one by one, and show a steady LED. Buttons with incompatible connectors or logic, or damaged wiring, should be replaced during the same visit.
Why choose a dual-eSIM 4G device instead of a single-SIM 4G tracker?
A dual-network embedded SIM can register on either of two operator networks, so weak or refarmed coverage on one carrier is covered by the other, and there is no removable card to be pulled or misused. It reduces the chance of needing another replacement at the next network change.
How long does a fleet-wide 2G to 4G upgrade take?
It depends on fleet size, dealer capacity and how many vehicles need panic buttons re-wired. Batching by depot with pre-registered devices often keeps each vehicle in the bay for a few hours, and aligning replacements with fitness renewal dates saves extra RTO visits.
Questions about your fleet? Talk to the manufacturer.
Speak directly with the manufacturer — device specifications, state-wise compliance guidance, dealer pricing and bulk quotes. Office: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM–7 PM IST. Device support: 24/7.