SIM800C and SIM868 Reached End of Life: What SIMCom's 2G Module Phase-Out Means for Your IoT Project
If your product still relies on the SIM800C or SIM868 GSM/GPRS modules, this article is essential reading. SIMCom Wireless Solutions — one of the world's largest cellular module manufacturers — has officially announced the End of Life (EoL) of most of its SIM800 series, including the hugely popular SIM800C and the GPS-integrated SIM868. Combined with the accelerating global 2G network sunset, engineers and product managers need a migration plan now, not later.
In this guide, we cover why SIMCom discontinued these modules, the official timeline, how the worldwide 2G shutdown affects your deployed devices, and the best drop-in replacement modules available today.
SIMCom's Official EOL Announcement for the SIM800 Series
In December 2021, SIMCom Wireless Solutions issued an official End of Life (EoL) and Product Change Notification for most of its SIM800 series modules. The reason was upstream in the supply chain: the power amplifier (PA) used in the SIM800 series was discontinued by the chipset provider, making continued production impossible.
Key dates from the announcement:
- Last Time Buy (LTB): Purchase orders were accepted until April 30, 2022
- Last Time Delivery (LTD): Final orders were delivered before mid-2022
- Affected products: Most SIM800 series variants, including the SIM800C and the SIM868 (GSM + GNSS combo module)
Today, distributors list both the SIM800C and SIM868 as Discontinued / End of Life, and any remaining stock on the market is residual inventory — often at inflated prices, and with a growing risk of counterfeit or refurbished chips.
Bottom line: SIM800C and SIM868 are no longer in production. Any new product design based on them carries serious supply-chain risk.
Why the 2G Sunset Makes This Even More Urgent
The EOL of these modules is only half of the story. Mobile operators around the world are shutting down their 2G (GSM/GPRS) networks to refarm spectrum for 4G LTE and 5G:
- United States: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon have completed or scheduled their 2G/3G shutdowns; 2G is effectively gone from US networks.
- Australia: Telstra and other carriers have switched off 2G entirely.
- Europe: A rolling process — some operators (e.g., in Spain) plan to keep 2G as an IoT fallback toward 2030, while others are shutting down much earlier.
- Asia & Middle East: Timelines vary widely by country and operator; some markets have no 2G coverage left, while others have no announced shutdown date.
This creates a dangerous double exposure for products built on SIM800C or SIM868:
- You can no longer buy the modules in reliable volume.
- The networks they depend on are disappearing, country by country.
Devices such as GPS trackers, alarm panels, smart meters, vending machines and fleet-management terminals that were designed around these modules may stop communicating as operators pull the plug.
Best Replacement Modules for SIM800C and SIM868
The good news: the migration path is well established. The industry has largely standardized on LTE Cat 1 / Cat 1 bis as the successor to 2G for mainstream IoT, with NB-IoT and LTE-M (Cat M1) covering ultra-low-power use cases.
Legacy Module | Key Features | Recommended Replacement | Migration Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
SIM800C | Quad-band GSM/GPRS, compact LCC package | SIMCom A7670C / A7670SA / A7680C (LTE Cat 1) | Similar physical size; A7670 series is widely used as a near drop-in alternative, but power supply design, baud rates and some AT commands must be reviewed |
SIM868 | GSM/GPRS + integrated GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/BeiDou) | SIMCom A7670G (LTE Cat 1 + GNSS) or SIM7070G (NB-IoT/Cat-M + GNSS) | Choose A7670G for general tracking; SIM7070G for battery-powered, low-data applications |
Other SIM800 variants | GSM/GPRS voice + data | A7670 series (LTE Cat 1 family) | Regional variants (A7670E for EMEA, A7670SA, etc.) match local LTE bands |
Why LTE Cat 1 (A7670 / A7680 series)?
- Longevity: LTE networks will remain in service for 15+ years — no sunset risk in the foreseeable future.
- Performance: Up to 10 Mbps downlink vs. 85.6 kbps on GPRS — a 100× improvement.
- Power efficiency: Modern sleep modes (PSM, eDRX) can beat 2G modules in real battery-powered deployments.
- Cost: LTE Cat 1 module pricing has dropped close to legacy 2G levels.
- Voice: VoLTE support replaces 2G voice for alarm and calling applications.
Migration Checklist: Moving from SIM800C/SIM868 to LTE
- Audit your fleet and designs — list every product variant using SIM800C, SIM868 or other 2G modules.
- Check target markets' 2G shutdown dates — prioritize countries where 2G is already off or closing soon.
- Select the replacement module — A7670C/A7680C for data-only; A7670G or SIM7070G if you need GNSS.
- Review the hardware design — power supply (LTE peak currents differ), antenna matching (LTE bands), SIM interface, and PCB footprint.
- Update firmware — verify AT command compatibility; adjust baud rates, PDP context and SMS handling.
- Prototype and field-test — especially in weak-signal areas.
- Recertify if required — carrier and regulatory certifications may be needed in some markets.
- Plan the rollout — stagger replacement, starting with your most critical deployments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the SIM800C still being manufactured?
No. SIMCom issued an End of Life notice for the SIM800 series in December 2021, with last orders accepted until April 30, 2022. Current market supply is residual stock only.
Q: Why did SIMCom discontinue SIM800C and SIM868?
The power amplifier (PA) chip used in the SIM800 series was discontinued by the upstream chipset provider, so SIMCom could no longer manufacture the modules.
Q: Can I still use my existing SIM800C/SIM868 devices?
Existing devices will keep working only while a 2G network remains available in their location. Many countries have already shut down 2G, and more shutdowns are scheduled — check your operator's roadmap.
Q: What is the best replacement for SIM800C?
The SIMCom A7670C, A7670SA or A7680C (LTE Cat 1) modules are the most common replacements, offering a similar footprint and far better longevity.
Q: What replaces the SIM868 with built-in GPS?
The SIMCom A7670G (LTE Cat 1 + GNSS) or SIM7070G (NB-IoT/Cat-M + GNSS) cover combined cellular + positioning requirements.
Q: Is the A7670C a direct drop-in for the SIM800C?
It is close in size and pinout, but not 100% drop-in. Power design, UART voltage levels, default baud rate and parts of the AT command set should be reviewed and tested before mass production.
Conclusion
The discontinuation of the SIM800C and SIM868, together with the global 2G network sunset, marks the definitive end of the 2G module era. Continuing to design or deploy products on these modules exposes your business to supply shortages, counterfeit components and sudden loss of connectivity. Migrating to LTE Cat 1 modules such as the SIMCom A7670 series secures your products for the next decade and beyond.
Need help choosing the right replacement module? Shenzhen Hurry Up Technology (Szhurryup.com) is an experienced distributor of SIMCom cellular modules, GPS receivers, and GSM/GPS/4G/5G antennas. Our engineering team can help you select the right A7670/A7680 variant, match antennas to LTE bands, and shorten your redesign cycle. Contact us today for pricing, stock availability and free technical consultation.
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