O2 to Start UK 3G Mobile Switch Off in City of Durham in April 2025

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has this morning revealed that they’ll begin the withdrawal of their older 3G mobile (broadband) services across the United Kingdom – the last major operator to do so – in April 2025, which will start with the city of Durham in England (not to be confused with County Durham).

Just to recap. Back in 2023 VMO2 became the final mobile operator to reveal their plan for switching off their 3G mobile (mobile broadband) network (here), which they said would begin in 2025 and the withdrawal will then occur in phases, with completion by the end of this year.

The first switch-off site in Durham will thus help to inform their wider withdrawal programme. The process also aims to free up radio spectrum so it can be used to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G based networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators’ costs and power consumption.

The operator states that the “vast majority of customers” will not have to take any action as a result of the switch off. O2 added that they’ve already started directly contacting the small proportion of customers in Durham who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device to let them know that, from April, they will require a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data.

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. Customers who don’t upgrade will find that their connections fall back to 2G, but they “would not be able to use mobile data” (2G can actually do data, it’s just so slow as to be pretty useless for the modern web).

Jeanie York, VMO2’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.”

The operator said that customers can find out more about their 3G switch off on O2’s official website. Customers of the operator’s various MVNO (virtual) providers also have information pages –  Tesco Mobile customers can find out more here, Sky Mobile customers should visit here, while giffgaff customers can access further support here.

In addition, O2 previously announced that they’d also start shifting almost all remaining traffic and customers off their oldest 2G network in 2025 too (here). But they won’t be turning that off completely for “several years” because it’s still necessary for some vital services (e.g. some Smart Meters – home energy tracking) and as a fall-back in areas where 4G and 5G signals have yet to reach.

As usual, O2 intends to upgrade 4G and 5G connectivity as the 3G service is withdrawn. In the Durham area specifically, VMO2 has already upgraded 4G and 5G masts over the past year, with further improvements planned in 2025.