A MAJOR mobile phone network has announced it is “ramping up” its shutdown of a long-running service.
The move means thousands of customers in the UK will lose access to the internet in just weeks.
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The company said the switch-off is essential to ensure improved updates run smoothly.
Mobile usage has skyrocketed in recent years, with data traffic more than doubling over the past five years – making upgrades like this increasingly essential.
The O2 Virgin Media switch off means customers in certain areas of the UK who use 3G will be unable to connect to internet-connected apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram while out and about.
The service was a game-changer for smartphones when it was introduced in the UK in 2003.
But networks are increasingly shutting down 3G to allow them to concentrate on faster 4G and 5G services.
Virgin Media O2 customers across the UK have been warned for months that the shutdown is coming – with another part of the country feeling the effects in weeks.
Areas affected
From November 5, 3G users in the North-east of Scotland, including Aberdeen and Dundee, will have the service withdrawn.
A spokesperson for the company said while the vast majority of customers will not need to take action, the network is contacting all those who don’t have a 4G or 5G device to offer information and advice.
They added: “Customers can visit their local O2 store for more information and support, and they are also reminded they can use O2 Recycle to responsibly and sustainably dispose of their old handsets in exchange for cash.
“The withdrawal of 3G services is part of long-term plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for customers.”
Customer advice
With 3G services across the whole of the UK to be withdrawn by the end of the year, customers across the country are advised to check if their device is 4G or 5G compatible.
If not, they will have to upgrade as soon as possible.
The improvements are part of the company’s £700million Mobile Transformation Plan, aimed at future-proofing the network and keeping pace with soaring demand.
Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “We’re fast approaching the end of 2025 and 3G will soon be a thing of the past, replaced by faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient 4G and 5G networks that give our customers a better experience.
“We have already successfully withdrawn 3G in a number of UK locations, and in November we’ll be turning our attention to large areas of Scotland.
“We know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G handset and will not have to take any action, and we’re writing directly to those who will be impacted to provide guidance and support.”
Virgin Media O2’s 3G network, first launched more than 20 years ago, today carries less than 2 per cent of all network data – a figure which continues to fall.
