While the vast majority of customers will not have to take any action, Virgin Media O2 is directly contacting the small proportion of customers in the area who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device about the change
Thousands are at risk of losing mobile data access this month as a major mobile network is making a huge change to its services. Virgin Media O2 is switching off its 3G network from this month, and those whose phones rely on this network to connect to the internet will be affected.
The first place to see it go will be the city of Durham, where the service switch-off is planned for this month. While the vast majority of customers will not have to take any action, Virgin Media O2 is directly contacting the small proportion of customers in the area who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device about the change.
Those impacted by the move will need to get a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data. It’s important to note that these phones will still be able to access the internet through wifi even after the switch off.
Virgin Media O2 has offered customers who are considered vulnerable in Durham 4G-ready devices free of charge and those who do not have a 4G handset or SIM have been offered a new one at a reduced price. Customers who have not upgraded to a 4G or 5G device will also still be able to use voice calls and send text messages.
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 providers.
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Virgin Media O2 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, and further improvements are planned for this year. The company’s 3G network – which was 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.”
Other major telecoms providers including Vodafone, Three, and EE have switched their 3G networks over the last few years with Virgin Media O2 being the last. These services provide networks to the following companies:
- Vodafone network – Lebara Mobile, Asda Mobile, Talk Mobile and VOXI
- EE network – Your Co-op, 1p Mobile, Utility Warehouse, Ecotalk, Lycamobile and BT Mobile
- Three network – iD Mobile and Smarty, Freedompop and Superdrug Mobile
- O2 network – Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, and Sky Mobile
How to check if you are affected by the 3G switch off
Your provider will let you know if you are affected and if there are any steps you need to take. However, if you are worried, you should check your device settings to see if it has WiFi and 4G enabled, just to be certain.
To check all you need to do is go to your device settings and search for “mobile networks” or “mobile data”. If you do not have a device that is compatible with WiFi and 4G, then you will need to change or upgrade it. If you are buying a new device due to the switch off, you should make sure it supports 4G if you want to use it to access mobile data services.
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