4G vs 2G GPS Tracker: Which One Should You Buy in India?

What the two network types mean

A GPS tracker works out its position from satellites and then sends that position to a server over a mobile network. 2G (GSM/GPRS) is the oldest network still used by trackers. 4G (LTE) is the current generation. A tracker sends only small messages, so it does not need much speed. What matters more is whether the network will be there next year, how fast the device finds its position after a cold start, and how well it holds a connection.

2G vs 4G GPS tracker: comparison

Question	2G tracker	4G tracker
Network future	Being switched off in many countries; some operators never built 2G	The network operators keep investing in
Time to first position	Can be slower, because satellite assistance data downloads slowly or fails on congested 2G	Assistance data can download quickly, so a cold start can drop from minutes to seconds
Connection reliability	Some vendors report intermittent connection failures on old 2G networks	Generally more stable where 4G coverage exists
Security	2G is considered easier to intercept	4G adds stronger authentication and encryption
Coverage	Where a 2G network remains, it can reach areas with weak 4G	Depends on the operator's 4G coverage on your routes
Cost	Compare device, SIM and data plan, and subscription for both	Compare device, SIM and data plan, and subscription for both

The technical points in this table come from tracker vendors' own support notes, listed under Sources. Ask any seller for the real figures for the model you are considering instead of relying on a general table.

2G shutdowns around the world

Operators switch 2G off to reuse the radio spectrum for 4G and 5G. There is no single date. A third-party tracker of 2G sunsets, last updated in August 2026, lists examples such as AT&T in the USA (switched off in January 2017), T-Mobile US (announced for August 2026), and a range of European dates from late 2026 into 2030. Always check the current plan of the operator whose SIM your tracker uses.

Where India stands

The same tracker lists no announced 2G shutdown date for Airtel, Vi or BSNL in India, and says Jio never deployed 2G or 3G. Two practical points follow from that:

• A 2G-only tracker cannot use Jio's network. If you want a Jio SIM, you need a tracker with 4G.
• No announced date is not a guarantee. An operator can change its plan. A 2G tracker bought today may be on a network with no end date, or may not.

What about AIS-140?

AIS-140 is the Indian standard for vehicle location tracking devices used in commercial and public transport vehicles. One industry guide (updated May 2026) says the primary communication standard for AIS-140 devices is 4G LTE with fallback to 3G and 2G, and that the SIM must be an M2M SIM from a licensed operator. Rules differ by vehicle type and state, so read the current standard and your state's notification before buying for a regulated vehicle. This article does not state that any Inurum product is AIS-140 certified or approved.

What to check before you buy

• Network: does the tracker support 4G on the bands your operator uses, and does it fall back to 2G where 4G is weak?
• SIM: is a SIM included, which operator is it from, and what happens after the first year? Check the data plan terms.
• Power: input voltage range for your vehicle (bike, car, truck) and a backup battery for when the vehicle battery is disconnected.
• Features you will use: live location, route history, alerts for ignition and power cut, and an engine cut-off relay if you want one.
• App and support: a maintained Android and iOS app, a clear warranty, and a seller who answers.

Where Inurum's Trackify fits

Trackify is Inurum's own 4G GPS tracker for bikes, cars, e-rickshaws and trucks. It ships with a pre-installed 4G SIM, an internal backup battery, an engine cut-off relay and Android and iOS apps. For current specifications, plans and pricing, see the Trackify GPS tracker page. If you are an engineer choosing a cellular module for a tracker, read Quectel BG95 for IoT applications.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 4G GPS tracker better than a 2G GPS tracker?

For a new purchase, a 4G tracker is usually the safer choice. 2G networks are being switched off in many countries, 4G networks are the ones operators keep investing in, and some operators, such as Jio in India, never deployed 2G at all. A working 2G tracker can still do the job where a 2G network remains, so the right answer depends on your country, operator and how long you want the device to last.

Is 2G shut down in India?

A third-party tracker of 2G sunsets, last updated in August 2026, lists no announced 2G shutdown date for Airtel, Vi or BSNL, and says Jio never deployed 2G or 3G. Operators can change plans, so check with your operator before buying a 2G-only device.

Will my 2G GPS tracker stop working?

It stops working when the operator it uses switches off its 2G network in your area. In India no shutdown date has been announced for the operators above. In other countries, for example the USA, some 2G networks are already off. Ask your SIM provider about its 2G plans.

Do 4G GPS trackers use more data?

A tracker sends small packets of position and status data, so the amount of data is small on either network. Check the data plan and the SIM terms with your provider rather than assuming a number.

Is the Trackify GPS tracker 4G?

Yes. Trackify is Inurum's own 4G GPS tracker for bikes, cars and trucks, with a pre-installed 4G SIM, a backup battery and an engine cut-off relay. See the Trackify page for the current specifications, plans and prices. This article does not claim that Trackify holds any certification such as AIS-140.

Sources: iot.cards, "2G sunset by country" (updated 8 August 2026); iKonn support, "Technological Migration from 2G to 4G in Tracking"; FleetX, "AIS 140 Full Guide" (May 2026 update). These are third-party summaries and may change. Check operators and the standards themselves before you decide.