UK’s biggest mobile provider to shut service TODAY and kill internet access

THE UK’S largest mobile provider is continuing its shut down of a major service today, which could leave customers without internet.

Britain’s major mobile providers have been gradually switching off a key service over the past few years, following an agreement with the Government made in 2021.

EE, Vodafone and Three have all shut off their 3G services, with Virgin Media O2 the last to follow suit.

The telecoms giant said that the switch off is so that it can focus on “faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient” 4G and 5G networks.”

The 3G switch off began in Durham on April 2, and is continuing today, July 16, in Norwich, Telford and Guildford.

Torquay’s 3G network will then be switched off on August 4.

The mobile provider has confirmed that the rest of the UK will have its 3G networks turned off by the end of the year.

The switch off will also affect Giffgaff, Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile users as they all use Virgin Media O2’s network.

“We’re switching off our 3G network to focus our attention and investment on upgrading faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will give our customers a better overall experience”,  Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, said.

“Following the successful pilot in Durham earlier this year, we will be switching off 3G in Norwich, Telford and Guildford in July, and Torquay in early August, with the rest of the UK to follow by the end of the year.”

Virgin Media O2 customers living in the affected areas have been urged to upgrade to a device which supports 4G or 5G before the switch off takes place.

Anyone who’s device is only capable of supporting 3G will be left without mobile data, but will still be able to text, take phone calls, and access WiFi.

Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) explained: “If you have a phone or Sim that only supports 3G, you’ll effectively no longer be able to use the internet once it’s fully switched off by your provider – you’ll still technically be able to connect to the internet, but you’ll struggle to do even basic tasks.  

“You’ll still be able to make calls and send text messages over 2G, though the quality of the call will likely be a lot worse than it was on the 3G network.”

Virgin Media O2 has said that the “vast majority” of its customers already have a device which supports 4G or 5G, so will be completely unaffected by the switch off.

It added that any customers still using a 3G device who are known to be vulnerable have been offered a 4G device free of charge.

All other customers who do not currently have a device compatible with 4G or 5G have been offered a new device at a reduced cost.

Jeanie York added: “While we know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, our priority is to provide support to those who need it.

“That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps.

“It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off.”

Customers wishing to dispose of their old 3G devices should recycle them through O2 recycle, which could see them get cash for the old handsets.

How to check if your device is affected

Smartphone users who have purchased their device in the last 10 years are unlikely to be affected by the switch off.

However, if you are still unsure, you can do a simple trick to check.

Click on the settings page on your phone and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network.

If you spot 4G or 5G listed, then you will be unaffected by the switch off.