The mobile phone and telecoms provider will shut down its 3G mobile data service later this year following Vodafone, Three, and EE’s changes last year
Virgin Media O2 has issued an update ahead of a major change to services this year.
The mobile phone and telecoms provider will shut down its 3G mobile data service later this year following Vodafone, Three, and EE’s changes last year. Virgin Media O2 is the final provider to end the service, and the first place to see it go will be the city of Durham in April.
While the vast majority of customers will not need to take any action, the operator is contacting customers who have recently been in the area to provide further information and support. While the vast majority of customers will not have to take any action as a result of the switch-off, Virgin Media O2 has started directly contacting the small proportion of customers in the area who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device about the change. They will inform customers that from April, they will require a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data.
However, it will impact not just O2 customers but also those with phone deals with Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, and Giffgaff – all of which use O2’s network to operate. Customers of these other networks will be contacted by their provider.
Virgin Media says the switch-off in the city of Durham is a “key milestone” in its 3G switch-off programme. The company will use any lessons learned to inform the wider programme when 3G sites across the UK are turned off. In the Durham area specifically, Virgin Media O2 has upgraded 4G and 5G masts over the past year, with further improvements planned in 2025.
The company’s 3G network – first launched more than 20 years ago – today carries less than 3% of all network data. Virgin Media O2 says the switch-off of the older technology – agreed upon by the Government and all mobile network operators in 2021 – allows providers to reallocate mobile spectrum to 4G and 5G services and improve customers’ experience with “faster data speeds, more reliable streaming and higher quality voice calls.”
Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Switching off 3G will be an important milestone in the evolution of our network, enabling us to focus our attention and investment on faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will deliver improved services for our customers.
“By starting in just one location and by putting careful monitoring in place, we’ll minimise disruption to customers and ensure the success of this essential modernisation programme.
“While the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not be impacted, 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-ready device, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to help them prepare. We will continue to support our customers as we complete the switch off of our 3G network.”
