Major network provider warns customers they will be left with NO mobile data unless they upgrade as service closes
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A MAJOR UK mobile network is warning customers they will be left with no mobile data soon unless they upgrade their phone.
Fortunately, there is a £100 voucher on offer to soften the blow.
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O2 is the last network to switch off 3G
Credit: Alamy
2
Other providers like GiffGaff are also affected
Credit: PA:Press Association
O2 has already started switching off its legacy 3G network as part of a national effort by all the UK's providers.
The firm's plan also affects other brands that rely on O2's network infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile.
O2 started deactivating 3G in April in the city of Durham.
The shake-up means anyone with an older phone only capable of handling 3G will no longer be able to use data when they're out and about.
Calls, texts and going on the internet via Wi-Fi only will still be possible.
As efforts ramp up, the company is warning more customers that will be affected.
In an email seen by ISPreview, O2 says "you may experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp".
It continues to warn that "upgrading your tariff won't be enough to keep you connected once the switch off happens. You need to upgrade to a compatible phone."
But there is a £100 voucher towards a new phone being offered, so check your email for it or reach out to O2.
The next areas where 3G will be switched off across the UK is Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay.
Norwich, Telford and Guildford will have the plug pulled on July 16, while Torquay's will change on August 4.
The loss of 3G means more faster 4G and 5G services can be installed in their place.
3G NETWORK SWITCH OFF
Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off:
-O2
- Tesco Mobile
- Sky Mobile
- GiffGaff
Networks which have already switched off 3G:
- Vodafone
- Asda Mobile
- Lebara
- Talk Mobile
- Voxi
- EE
- 1pMobile
- Ecotalk
- IQ Mobile
- Lycamobile
- Mozillion
- RWG Mobile
- Spusi
- Talk Home
- Utility Warehouse
- Your Co-op
- Three
- iD Mobile, Smarty
- Honest Mobile
- Superdrug
Is my phone affected?
O2 is contacting people that are affected by the move.
But the vast majority of people should be unaffected - if you've bought yours in the last 10 years or so it's probably safe 4G and 5G compatible.
If you're unsure, there is a trick to check.
Go into your phone's settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network.
If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear.
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Virgin Media O2 warns customers about ongoing 3G switch off
The UK's major mobile providers, including EE and Vodafone, have gradually been axing all 3G services over the past few years. Virgin Media O2 is the latest provider to switch off its 3G network so it can focus on the "faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient" 4G and 5G networks. It's 3G network switch off began on April 2, with the city of Durham the first area affected. 📡 Virgin Media O2 begins its 3G switch-off this April in Durham, marking a key milestone in our network evolution. This move allows us to focus on faster, more reliable #4G and #5G services, delivering better connectivity for our customers. 🌐📱 Learn more here:… The switch-off is also set to impact other mobile providers which use Virgin Media O2's network, including: With the Virgin Media O2 switch off now underway, customers with 3G devices are being urged to upgrade or risk a drop in call quality and being left unable to access mobile data. In an email, seen by The Mirror, Virgin Media O2 said: "We recently got in touch to let you know we'll be turning off our 3G services. "This change has already started, and we'll be continuing the switch off across the country throughout 2025. "You may currently have a device that's not fully compatible with the UK's 4G or 5G network. "After the switch off, you could experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp." The next areas set to be impacted by Virgin Media O2's 3G switch off are: 📡 We're continuing our 3G switch-off programme. Next up: Norwich, Telford, Guildford & Torquay. This move frees up spectrum for faster, more reliable #4G & #5G – keeping our customers better connected. 📱 Read more: Virgin Media O2's Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, said: '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. '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.' Any customers who don't upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off in their area will still be able to make voice calls and send text messages, but will be unable to use mobile data. Customers with 3G devices will be unable to use the internet once the network is switched off. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) explains: "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." The 3G switch-off will only impact those customers with older devices and sim cards, ones that are unable to connect to the newer 4G or 5G networks. If you are unsure whether or not your device will lose mobile data access when Virgin Media O2's 3G network is switched off, don't worry; there is a way to check. Visit the Virgin Media O2 website and look at its list of devices that are not compatible with 4G and WiFi Calling. If your phone/sim is on that list, you will be impacted by the switch-off and will need to change devices before it happens. Devices on the list include: Apple iPhone Samsung Sony LG Google Motorola RECOMMENDED READING: Nokia For the full list of devices affected or any further information about Virgin Media O2's 3G network switch off, visit its website (a link to which can be found above).
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
Major network provider warns customers they will be left with NO mobile data unless they upgrade as service closes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR UK mobile network is warning customers they will be left with no mobile data soon unless they upgrade their phone. Fortunately, there is a £100 voucher on offer to soften the blow. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 O2 is the last network to switch off 3G Credit: Alamy 2 Other providers like GiffGaff are also affected Credit: PA:Press Association O2 has already started switching off its legacy 3G network as part of a national effort by all the UK's providers. The firm's plan also affects other brands that rely on O2's network infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile. O2 started deactivating 3G in April in the city of Durham. The shake-up means anyone with an older phone only capable of handling 3G will no longer be able to use data when they're out and about. Calls, texts and going on the internet via Wi-Fi only will still be possible. As efforts ramp up, the company is warning more customers that will be affected. In an email seen by ISPreview, O2 says "you may experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp". It continues to warn that "upgrading your tariff won't be enough to keep you connected once the switch off happens. You need to upgrade to a compatible phone." But there is a £100 voucher towards a new phone being offered, so check your email for it or reach out to O2. The next areas where 3G will be switched off across the UK is Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay. Norwich, Telford and Guildford will have the plug pulled on July 16, while Torquay's will change on August 4. The loss of 3G means more faster 4G and 5G services can be installed in their place. 3G NETWORK SWITCH OFF Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug Is my phone affected? O2 is contacting people that are affected by the move. But the vast majority of people should be unaffected - if you've bought yours in the last 10 years or so it's probably safe 4G and 5G compatible. If you're unsure, there is a trick to check. Go into your phone's settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Major network provider warns customers they will be left with NO mobile data unless they upgrade as service closes
A MAJOR UK mobile network is warning customers they will be left with no mobile data soon unless they upgrade their phone. Fortunately, there is a £100 voucher on offer to soften the blow. 2 O2 has already started switching off its legacy 3G network as part of a national effort by all the UK's providers. The firm's plan also affects other brands that rely on O2 's network infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff and Sky Mobile. O2 started deactivating 3G in April in the city of Durham. The shake-up means anyone with an older phone only capable of handling 3G will no longer be able to use data when they're out and about. Calls, texts and going on the internet via Wi-Fi only will still be possible. As efforts ramp up, the company is warning more customers that will be affected. In an email seen by ISPreview, O2 says "you may experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp". It continues to warn that "upgrading your tariff won't be enough to keep you connected once the switch off happens. You need to upgrade to a compatible phone." But there is a £100 voucher towards a new phone being offered, so check your email for it or reach out to O2. The next areas where 3G will be switched off across the UK is Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay. Norwich, Telford and Guildford will have the plug pulled on July 16, while Torquay's will change on August 4. The loss of 3G means more faster 4G and 5G services can be installed in their place. 3G NETWORK SWITCH OFF Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug Is my phone affected? O2 is contacting people that are affected by the move. But the vast majority of people should be unaffected - if you've bought yours in the last 10 years or so it's probably safe 4G and 5G compatible. If you're unsure, there is a trick to check. Go into your phone's settings and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you see 4G or 5G listed then you are in the clear. IS THE 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. 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 get in contact with O2 (or GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile) if you need support.
