A HUGE UK mobile provider has announced it will axe a service used by thousands – three years ahead of schedule.
The planned closure will leave customers without access to the internet.
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In recent weeks, all the big mobile providers have been shutting down older services to make way for the faster 4G and 5G networks.
It follows an agreement, made in December 2021, between the government and the tech giants to switch off 2G and 3G networks in the UK in 2033.
However, Vodafone’s announcement this week has come as a surprise, as the company says it will shut its 2G service down in 2030, three years before it is legally obliged to switch it off.
This means phones using the provider’s 2G service – which was launched in 1991 – will lose access to the internet.
It is a move that could affect thousands of users in the UK.
The company said there were several reasons for its decision to bring the date forward.
This included the widespread adoption of 4G and 5G technologies for smartphones.
Essential functions
These are increasingly being relied on by Brits for essential functions such as banking, navigation, messaging, and social media, said Vodafone.
Utilising more space for other services was also cited as an issue as 2G equipment is recycled.
In the statement posted on Vodafone’s website on Monday, September 22, a spokesperson for the company announced its plan to shut down its 2G service early.
“2G was launched in 1991 around the same time as a page of the world wide web took nearly 10 minutes to load,” said the spokesperson.
“Fast forward to the present day and web pages can almost instantaneously pop up on a smartphone over 5G.”
Phased approach
The spokesperson emphasised the company was committed to ensuring a smooth transition for customers through a “phased approach”.
“Vodafone can ensure customers stay connected during this time,” they said.
“In addition, it continues to expand its 4G and 5G networks, as well as looking to introduce direct to device mobile broadband satellite services, so that by the end of 2030, Vodafone will serve areas that have little or no coverage today.”
Technologies are also available to support services that currently use 2G, including the Internet of Things, they added.
“In the coming years, these technologies are predicted to be well established.”
