ONE of the UK’s biggest mobile networks has warned customers that the shutdown of a long-running service is almost complete – and some will have to upgrade their phone as a result.
Those who fail to do so “as soon as possible” will be left with no data access to go online.
O2 is the last of the UK’s big networks to switch off 3G, a service it started just over 20 years ago.
All firms are axing the old 3G to make way for more faster 4G and 5G.
It’s all part of a Government and industry-agreed target for all 2G and 3G networks to be switched off by 2033.
The move by O2 not only affects its own customers, but also those on Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile.
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O2 started the process in April with the city of Durham and has been gradually ripping out the old kit across the UK.
Now bosses have revealed that the final areas still with 3G are set “to follow shortly”.
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Most handsets are unaffected by the shake-up but a small portion of people still using older 3G-only phones won’t be able to get online when they’re out and about.
That’s because these smartphones are not built to handle 4G or 5G.
They’ll still be able to make calls and send texts, but going online with data will stop.
“You may still see a 3G signal in some places for a short period in early 2026, but the network will soon be switched off entirely, so I’d like to take this opportunity to urge anybody who is still using a 3G-only handset to please visit your local store, or call us, to upgrade as soon as possible,” warned Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer.
“We’re now more connected than ever before thanks to the significant investments made by mobile network operators like Virgin Media O2 in faster, more reliable 4G and 5G networks.
“It’s therefore not a surprise that 3G is increasingly a relic of a bygone era.
“It was built to support basic web browsing – not to power the high bandwidth activities like zoom calls, video streaming or browsing pictures on social media that people increasingly expect to do seamlessly on the go.”
3G accounts for less than 2 per cent of mobile data usage on O2’s network today.
O2 says its number one priority has been supporting those who need to upgrade.
The firm has been writing directly to customers, offering big discounts and free handsets to vulnerable users.
Is the 3G switch off that big of a deal?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
It’s unclear exactly how many people will be affected by the 3G switch off but with only 2 per cent usage for O2 it doesn’t appear to be many.
There wasn’t much noise after Three, EE and Vodafone ended 3G.
So, there will undoubtedly be some still using 3G-only phones but the numbers are probably very small.
Just because it may be a small figure doesn’t mean those people should be cast aside, especially if they’re not very tech-savvy or vulnerable.
So definitely look out for support communications from O2 – and speak to them if you’re unsure.
Image credit: Getty
