Virgin Media O2 has announced that it plans to commence the switch-off of 3G services in 2025 as part of an ongoing network transformation.
The company says it will be able to further expand and upgrade its 4G and 5G connectivity, reduce energy consumption and deliver enhanced speeds and reliability for customers.
It follows the Government and industry’s joint statement in December 2021 that all UK mobile network operators will switch off 2G and 3G by 2033 at the latest, and subsequent announcements by other operators.
Virgin Media O2’s programme will see 3G services switched off in phases across the country, with 3G connectivity expected to be fully switched off by the end of 2025.
“We will begin to switch off 3G in 2025, but between now and then, we will be communicating directly with our customers to explain what this means for them and outline any steps they should take in the next 18 months. While most customers will need to take no action at all, we are committed to supporting everyone with this necessary transition,” said Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer, Virgin Media O2.
Use of the 3G mobile network, which launched two decades ago, has fallen considerably over recent years – and carried less than 4% of all data used on Virgin Media O2’s network last year.
Rival Vodafone says it will complete its 3G switch off by January 2024. It has already switched off the 3G network in?Plymouth, Basingstoke, Hull, Oxford, and Glasgow.
