Original article Total Telecom:Read More
Press Release
- Following the successful pilot in the city of Durham in April, Virgin Media O2 has confirmed that Norwich, Telford and Guildford will be the next UK locations to have 3G withdrawn on 16 July, with Torquay to follow on 4 August
- While the vast majority of customers will not need to take any action, the operator is directly contacting all customers across the UK who currently don’t have a 4G or 5G device to provide information and support ahead of a wider switch off beginning from August
- Customers can visit their local O2 store for more information and support, and they are also reminded they can use O2 Recycle to responsibly and sustainably dispose of their old handsets in exchange for cash
- The withdrawal of 3G services, which will be completed by the end of 2025, is part of long-term plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for customers
22 April 2025: Virgin Media O2 has today confirmed that its 3G network will be switched off in Norwich, Telford and Guildford on 16 July, and in Torquay on 4 August, as part of the company’s plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for mobile customers. This follows the successful pilot in Durham, which became the first city to have 3G withdrawn on 2 April.
While the vast majority of customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action as a result of the switch off, the company has begun directly contacting all customers across the UK currently without a compatible handset to inform them that they will require a 4G SIM and device to continue using mobile data once 3G is switched off.
As part of the company’s plan to support the small number of customers who will be impacted, known vulnerable customers have already been offered a 4G-ready device free of charge, helping them stay connected, while all other customers who don’t currently have a 4G handset or SIM will be offered a new device at a reduced price. Virgin Media O2 also continues to engage with consumer groups and charities such as Good Things Foundation to draw on their expertise and help manage the transition effectively.
Customers who don’t upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off will still be able to use voice calls and send text messages as they currently do for now, but they would not be able to use mobile data.
Any customers with older, unwanted handsets are urged to recycle their device through O2 Recycle. Not only will they receive cash in exchange, but they’ll also be playing their part in protecting the environment, with Virgin Media O2’s zero landfill policy meaning that these phones will be repaired or recycled for parts.
The company’s 3G network, first launched more than 20 years ago, today carries less than 3% of all network data – a figure which continues to fall. The switch-off of this older technology – agreed by the Government and all mobile network operators in 2021 – allows providers like Virgin Media O2 to reallocate mobile spectrum to more efficient 4G and 5G services and improve customers’ experience with faster data speeds, more reliable streaming and higher quality voice calls.
Indeed, Virgin Media O2 has upgraded 4G and 5G masts in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay over the past year, and the company invests around £2m every single day into its mobile network to meet ever-growing demand for connectivity.
Customers of virtual network operators that use Virgin Media O2’s mobile network – such as Tesco Mobile and giffgaff – will also be impacted by the switch-off and are being contacted directly by their provider.
Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, 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.
“Following the successful pilot in Durham earlier this month, we will now be switching off 3G in Norwich, Telford and Guildford in July, and Torquay in early August, with the rest of the UK to follow by the end of the year.
“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.”
O2 customers can find out more about the 3G switch off on its website. Tesco Mobile customers can find out more here, Sky Mobile customers should visit here for further information, while giffgaff customers can access further support here.