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3G Switch-Off Results 2024

jon1

ULTIMATE Member
Since we’re now getting close to 2024, im curious if 3G is still accessible in different places, etc, I wonder if by Jan 1st it will be completely gone on all 3 networks

Personally, the only way I had to check 3G was to open the show caller ID tab on iPhone, but this dissent connect back to 3G anymore it stays on LTE

With EE only completing the Ericsson switch days ago, im wondering if they’ll actually meet their deadline
 
Try dialling *#100# - on Vodafone it’ll show your number but other networks returns an error messsge - but it’ll drop 4G whilst it tries to do something - my TalkHome (EE) sim drops to GPRS now on my iPhone 15 whilst at home, but 3G whilst at work - must be locational switch off on this network ✌️
 
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Try dialling *#100# - on Vodafone it’ll show your number but other networks returns an error messsge - but it’ll drop 4G whilst it tries to do something - my TalkHome (EE) sim drops to GPRS now on my iPhone 15 whilst at home, but 3G whilst at work - must be locational switch off on this network ✌️
Unless you're in Warrington 3G should still be around for you on EE. That's the only place switched off. There's a few sites here and there around the country that have been killed off already too but the result should only be weaker signal rather than no signal there.

As far as I know, Vodafone is the only network that is actively switching off 3G right now. Three and EE will start doing so quite aggressively early next year. And O2 is keeping theirs live until 2025.

It surprises me that the EE Switch off is just around the corner yet there are so many MVNOs on their network that still have no VoLTE support. That's going to be a drop in signal availability, a significant drop in call quality, and a dramatic increase in demand for the old 2G network to pick up.
 
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Try dialling *#100# - on Vodafone it’ll show your number but other networks returns an error messsge - but it’ll drop 4G whilst it tries to do something - my TalkHome (EE) sim drops to GPRS now on my iPhone 15 whilst at home, but 3G whilst at work - must be locational switch off on this network ✌️
Spusu (EE) also goes to 2G for calls, volte not quite working properly.
 
It surprises me that the EE Switch off is just around the corner yet there are so many MVNOs on their network that still have no VoLTE support. That's going to be a drop in signal availability, a significant drop in call quality, and a dramatic increase in demand for the old 2G network to pick up.

On the other hand, sometimes the only way to get someone to do something is to force the issue. If EE sets a date it'll be on the MVNOs to sort their ends out or risk unhappy customers.

It seems to be the main driver for VoLTE roaming for example, with the US being the first major country to turn off 2G/3G and so everyone's had to get it working, even if only just for US roamers for now.
 
a dramatic increase in demand for the old 2G network to pick up.

We have a 3G house mobile with RWG - no data, just calls and a few SMS e.g. receiving 2FA texts. That will fall back to 2G after next March and should be good for a few more years.

Do you think 2G call quality will nosedive and/or connection failures increase?
 
Vodafone switch in Hull (I believe that was their first location) happened quite a few months ago now. Interestingly it's one of the few locations where they've taken over the mast management from O2 on that side of the country.
 
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Do you think 2G call quality will nosedive and/or connection failures increase?
EE's 3G has support for HD Calling. Dropping down to 2G will be a huge step down in call quality if that is lost. Especially with EE's 2G on a higher frequency than the other networks it's somewhat unstable with occasional momentary drop outs.

It's not going to be any worse than it was in the days where 2G was all we had. It was usable and we all lived with it. But in 2023/2024 when we are used to 3G and 4G technology and higher call quality it would be painful to step backwards to after having better for years.

As for connection failures, probably not. The 2G Network has always been very good in terms of reliability. And the level of load on that old network now will be way less than it was once upon a time when everyone was using it for calling.
 
My understanding is EE is reconfiguring 3G frequencies to both 4G and 5G as they remove 3G and are leaving a selection of frequencies with VoLTE on each mast including a previously 3G frequency.

Only those with a 3G phone or on a MVNO that cannot support VoLTE or has not contracted the frequency in 4G/5G use will have an issue.

Previously VoLTE. WiFi calling and then 5G used to be the differentiating function between MVNO and the carrier. Not sure what will be used now. No network provider can afford to allow their MVNO to under cut them
 
Try dialling *#100# - on Vodafone it’ll show your number but other networks returns an error messsge - but it’ll drop 4G whilst it tries to do something - my TalkHome (EE) sim drops to GPRS now on my iPhone 15 whilst at home, but 3G whilst at work - must be locational switch off on this network ✌️
I drop down to E when doing this, will try on a family members Samsung later today and see if I can force 3G
 
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