Virgin Media O2, the proprietor of the O2 cell community, has confirmed its 3G cell community will be switched off fully “in the coming weeks”, marking the finish of 3G signal in the UK.
Vodafone and EE turned off their 3G networks in 2024, with Three also switching off earlier this yr. In a weblog post, Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said some signal may stay accessible “for a short period in early 2026” but that “the network will soon be switched off entirely”.
“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,” York said.
“Anyone who doesn’t upgrade before 3G is switched off in their area will still be able to make calls and send text messages as they do today, but they won’t be able to use mobile data.”
Three launched the UK’s first 3G community in March 2003, heralding the daybreak of cell information on handsets that predated the first iPhone by 4 years. Most fashionable smartphones are now appropriate with 4G and 5G networks, with less than two % of cell information utilization on O2’s community going over 3G, according to the firm.
After a 2021 settlement between industry and authorities, 3G networks are being retired to give choice to 4G and 5G frequencies as cell information use continues to grow across the nation. Mobile operators are promising this will end result in quicker information speeds as properly as higher cell reliability.
It is unlikely that you will be affected if you have a fashionable smartphone launched within the last decade or so, since 4G networks launched in 2012. But if you do have a cell phone only succesful of 3G connections, you will soon lose the skill to join to information providers.
This means you will still be ready to ship and obtain voice calls or textual content messages, as 2G networks are still dwell in the UK, but you will no longer be ready to use cell information, dropping access to web browsers or cell apps including messaging providers such as WhatsApp.
As properly as O2 prospects, those on the Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile networks are also being warned, as these suppliers use the O2 community.
“Our number one priority, however, is supporting those customers who do need to upgrade to a compatible advice,” said York.
“That’s why we’ve been writing directly to all of these customers, offering heavy discounts on replacement phones and entirely free upgrades for those we know are vulnerable. Many have already taken advantage of these offers and are now benefitting from easy-to-use devices they can count on for years to come.”