New guide: The 3G mobile network switch off – what you need to know

Frozen_up_north

The 3G network is being decommissioned to free up frequencies for improved 4G and 5G services. Leaving the 3G network for the benefit of a few, disadvantages the majority with more up to date phones.
The mainstream manufacturers ceased making 3G phones 7 or 8 years ago…

KxMx

I've seen no improvement in the 4g signal locally since Vodafone turned off 3g, it's still bad with a few dead zones, my phone more often than not defaults to Wi Fi calling when at home.
Am now seeing 5g briefly and occasionally when out and about.
Very poor overall considering Vodafone turned off 3g a couple of years ago. 

movedto03

MSE_Chris said:

We have new 3G mobile network switch off guide, and we'd love to hear your feedback.

What does this even mean?

• Virgin Media O2: It started switching off its 3G network in April 2025 and plans to complete shas confirmed that it'll begin switching off its 3G network in 2025.

Beachcomber_252

Interesting to see that Sky Mobile now state they are switching off 3G throughout 2025 and 2026.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-mobile-3g-switch-off-impact-customers

Does this mean 3G will be with us a little longer for some customers? I assume this must apply to O2 as well, as Sky use their network.

 

Also, I was under the impression that Three had already completed their 3G switch off, but their website states it will be completed in November 2025. 

https://www.three.co.uk/support/network-and-coverage/our-plans-to-switch-off-3g

spud17

"Also, I was under the impression that Three had already completed their 3G switch off, but their website states it will be completed in November 2025."

We use Three for our tiny office BB with a ZTE router. 
It's still 3G but speed had jumped from 5/6Mbps to 12/15 Mbps, plus we now have 4 lights on the router instead of 2.
(Landline is 1Mbps and no upgrade likely.)

flaneurs_lobster

spud17 said:

"Also, I was under the impression that Three had already completed their 3G switch off, but their website states it will be completed in November 2025."

We use Three for our tiny office BB with a ZTE router. 
It's still 3G but speed had jumped from 5/6Mbps to 12/15 Mbps, plus we now have 4 lights on the router instead of 2.
(Landline is 1Mbps and no upgrade likely.)

Maybe now using Vodafone's infrastructure under their "I'll show you mine if .... " protocol? 

PHK

Beachcomber_252 said:

Interesting to see that Sky Mobile now state they are switching off 3G throughout 2025 and 2026.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-mobile-3g-switch-off-impact-customers

Does this mean 3G will be with us a little longer for some customers? I assume this must apply to O2 as well, as Sky use their network.

 

Also, I was under the impression that Three had already completed their 3G switch off, but their website states it will be completed in November 2025. 

https://www.three.co.uk/support/network-and-coverage/our-plans-to-switch-off-3g

Three found some populated  areas were left with no coverage so decided to keep 3G in those areas but announced they'd switched off anyway!

Regarding O2, that's a good find. Originally they said that they would switch off 3G in 2025 but they've only switched four towns so far, with Scotland planned for November. 

The O2 pages about 3G switch off, now say STARTING in 2025 which does imply that it's going to take longer. At the current rate you'd be looking at years to switch it off. 

flaneurs_lobster

PHK said:

Three found some populated  areas were left with no coverage so decided to keep 3G in those areas but announced they'd switched off anyway!

Great swathes of my City have no or negligible Three coverage despite their coverage map saying 100% everywhere, and that's before they turn off 3G.

PHK

flaneurs_lobster said:

PHK said:

Three found some populated  areas were left with no coverage so decided to keep 3G in those areas but announced they'd switched off anyway!

Great swathes of my City have no or negligible Three coverage despite their coverage map saying 100% everywhere, and that's before they turn off 3G.

Well that's a different issue. Years of underinvestment which is what the Vodafone merger is supposed to cure - eventually. 

spud17

flaneurs_lobster said:

spud17 said:

"Also, I was under the impression that Three had already completed their 3G switch off, but their website states it will be completed in November 2025."

We use Three for our tiny office BB with a ZTE router. 
It's still 3G but speed had jumped from 5/6Mbps to 12/15 Mbps, plus we now have 4 lights on the router instead of 2.
(Landline is 1Mbps and no upgrade likely.)

Maybe now using Vodafone's infrastructure under their "I'll show you mine if .... " protocol? 

I'd not considered that. 

I will say that on paper Three are the slowest provider for us, but at the time I tried all 4 main networks and Three were the fastest in a real world situation.
Ironically, once you move from our yard, EE is the best by far.