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Articles for Category Tag - 3G

DCF Examine Other Countries to Reveal Learnings for UK 2G Mobile Switch-off

22nd January, 2026 (6 Comments)

A new report from Plum Consulting and the Digital Connectivity Forum (DCF), an industry think-tank, has today been published that attempts to identify what UK mobile operators can learn from the switch-off of legacy 2G networks in other countries. Needless to say, there are a few recommendations.

O2-3G-Switch-Off-Screenshot-from-YouTube-Video

Virgin Media O2 Confirm UK 3G Mobile Switch-Off to Complete in Early 2026

18th December, 2025 (8 Comments)

The Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of broadband and mobile provider Virgin Media and O2 (VMO2), Jeanie York, has today confirmed that they’re “set to complete” their switch-off of the old legacy 3G mobile network “in the coming weeks” – largely as planned (although a few areas will still have 3G signals into “early 2026“).

Mobile-broadband-UK-operator-network-speed by 123rf

Top 15 Fastest and Slowest UK Local Authorities for Mobile Broadband in 2025

17th December, 2025 (5 Comments)

Network testing firm Ookla, which collects data from consumers via their popular broadband Speedtest.net service, has this morning published a new analysis of mobile 4G and 5G network data performance across UK local authorities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK-wide median mobile download speed rose 15% to 63.03Mbps in 2025, but big gaps remain.

Three UK Finally Switch Off Remaining 3G Mobile Sites as 4G and 5G Boosted

5th December, 2025 (25 Comments)

Mobile operator Three UK (VodafoneThree), which at the start of 2025 confirmed (here) that the “vast majority” of their 3G sites had now been switched off – save for a “small number” of sites were still live to avoid customers losing service, have now confirmed that those remaining sites were finally switched off at the end of November 2025.

Smart Meter UK Display for Energy by 123rf ID197070935

UK Homes with Out of Range Energy Smart Meters Get Reprieve from 2G Switch Off

5th December, 2025 (21 Comments)

Some 46,000 consumers have been given extra time to resolve connectivity problems with their Energy Smart Meters, which were previously at risk of losing 2G based mobile data connectivity to the Data Communications Company‘s (DCC) wide area network on 1st January 2026. But Ofgem has now extended the service coverage until 1st June 2026.

mobile phone user with confused expression 123RF ID 121414377

Poverty Alliance Warn Vulnerable Users at Risk from UK 2G and 3G Mobile Switch Off UPDATE

10th November, 2025 (22 Comments)

A new report from the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) has warned that the ongoing switch-off by mobile operators Vodafone / Three UK, EE and O2 of legacy 3G and 2G networks “exposes a deep fault line in digital inclusion,” which they say could risk disconnecting vulnerable users (e.g. those with telecare systems and safety devices) from essential communication and support.

Energy Smart Meters May Soon Link via UK Home Broadband Connectivity

24th October, 2025 (53 Comments)

A new Government consultation has revealed that the Data Communications Company (DCC), which is in the process of working to upgrade existing Smart Meters in UK homes with a new 4G Communication Hub (here and here), will in 2026 also launch a Virtual WAN service. This will mean that home broadband can be used to connect premises not covered by their normal wireless network.

Virgin Media O2 Expand UK 3G Mobile Switch Off to Scotland

29th September, 2025 (3 Comments)

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has this morning revealed that customers in Scotland will be the next to go through their 3G mobile (broadband) switch-off programme on 5th November 2025. The announcement follows completed withdrawals across various other locations in England (Durham, Norwich, Telford, Watford etc).

BT Study Claims UK Digital Network Upgrades to Deliver £3bn in Economic Benefits

25th September, 2025 (6 Comments)

Broadband, mobile and telecoms giant BT has today published a new economic modelling study from Assembly Research, which examines how the ongoing migration from legacy networks (PSTN/WLR, 2G mobile etc.) to All-IP (Internet Protocol) services could “deliver billions in benefits” (£3bn) to the UK’s critical national infrastructure sectors.

VodafoneThree Sign Outside UK Office Building in June 2025

Vodafone UK Set to Switch Off 2G Mobile Services During 2030

22nd September, 2025 (18 Comments)

Mobile operator Vodafone UK (VodafoneThree) has revealed that they intend to switch off their now ancient 2G based mobile network “during 2030“, roughly three years ahead of the government’s official 2033 deadline for the phasing out of both 2G and 3G services (here). The operator has already shut down its 3G network (here).

O2 UK Issue Progress Update on Removal of Inbound 2G and 3G Roaming

11th August, 2025 (2 Comments)

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has issued a progress update on their preparations for the imminent withdrawal of 2G and 3G inbound roaming services for business customers, which is due to occur in just two months’ time on 1st October 2025.

Virgin Media O2 Expand UK 3G Mobile Switch Off to Watford

6th August, 2025 (8 Comments)

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today revealed that customers in the large Hertfordshire (England) town and borough of Watford will be the next UK location to go through their 3G mobile (broadband) switch-off programme on 17th September 2025. This follows completed withdrawals in Durham, Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay.

Virgin Media O2 Joins Age UK to Help Raise Awareness of 3G Switch-Off

31st July, 2025 (6 Comments)

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) has this morning announced that they’ve partnered with leading charity, Age UK, to help raise awareness of the 3G switch-off and provide customers using older devices with “tailored guidance and support” to help with the transition to more modern (4G, 5G) networks.

Ofcom Study Examines UK Speed and Coverage of 4G and 5G Mobile Networks

17th July, 2025 (6 Comments)

The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, has today published their 2025 Mobile Matters report, which uses Opensignal’s crowdsourced data (collected between October 2024 and March 2025) to benchmark the performance of UK mobile broadband networks by both technology (2G to 5G), nation and operator choice – including Three UK, O2, Vodafone and EE.

O2 UK Warn Customers with Incompatible Mobiles as 3G Switches Off

30th May, 2025 (16 Comments)

Mobile operator O2 (Virgin Media) recently started emailing customers with handsets that are “not fully compatible with the UK’s 4G or 5G network” in order to notify them of their imminent 3G switch-off and offer an upgrade. But it’s worth noting that these notices will sometimes still get sent to people with technically compatible phones too, often leading to confusion.

JT 5G Mobile Network Starts to Go Live on the Channel Island of Jersey

27th May, 2025 (3 Comments)

State-owned broadband ISP and telecoms operator JT (Jersey Telecom), supported by technology partner Ericsson, have today confirmed that their c. £80 million project to deploy a new 5G based mobile network across Jersey (English Channel Island) has finally started to go live across its first area.

O2 Expand UK 3G Mobile Switch Off to Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay

22nd April, 2025 (12 Comments)

Mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today begun to notify customers about the next batch of four UK locations to go through their 3G mobile (broadband) switch-off programme, which recently started with a pilot in Durham (here). Norwich, Telford and Guildford will be the next areas to have 3G withdrawn on 16th July, with Torquay to follow on 4th August 2025.