2g is going

PHK

d123 said:

PHK said:

d123 said:

matelodave said:

As far as I can see the NUU SX6mini is a 4g capable phone (if the menu says "use 4G when available" it should be a bit of a clue) and therefore should work quite happily when 3G is turned off, in fact you probably wont notice any difference.

Unfortunately not, if the phone won’t do volte (4G Calling) it won’t work on Three after they switch 3G off. That’s likely why Smarty have told the OP, it’s an old and very cheap budget phone, the OP is likely going to need to replace it if they want to remain on Three/Smarty.

They could use it as a 2G dumb phone on Vodafone, o2 or EE who will still have 2G service for some time after they switch 3G off.

Just to point out that although the 2G network isn’t being switched off for some time the networks are prioritising 2G for IOT and M2M (such as smart meters ). Indeed O2 have said they will migrat their 2G consumers starting next year. (EE and Vodafone are taking a different approach. Which won’t affect 2G only customers)

Partly true, 2G will still be able to carry calls and texts for quite some time (even if the networks do start encouraging people to upgrade). O2 is probably a number of years away from that though, they don’t even expect to have 3G completely shut down before the end of 2025.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/07/virgin-media-o2-reveals-uk-plan-for-2g-mobile-switch-off.html

Unlike our 3G network, we won’t be turning 2G off completely. In fact, we expect to continue operating it for several years and it will play an important role in carrying emergency calls in more remote areas without 4G coverage. We’ll also use it to support data traffic for smart energy meters, contributing to the UK’s transition to a lower-carbon economy.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/3g-switch-off/#:~:text=Customers%20using%20the%20EE%2C%20Vodafone,t%20being%20switched%20off%20yet.

Customers using the EE, Vodafone and O2 networks with an older device will still be able to make calls and send text messages after 3G switch-off. 

These services can use the 2G network, which isn’t being switched off yet. But the 2G network was not designed to work for accessing data services, so customers with older devices will no longer be able to access most of their mobile data services after 3G switch-off (although where older devices can connect to Wi-Fi, customers can still use this to access data services).

I think you’ve misunderstood. If you keep reading on from your first quote, you’ll see it confirms they’ll be migrating customers away in 2025. 

This is confirmed on the O2 website

”

We aren't switching off our 2G network, but to provide you with a better mobile experience we’ll be moving you away from our older 2G and 3G networks – while expanding our 4G and 5G coverage across the UK.

In the future, you'll need to make sure that you have a 4G or 5G-ready device to continue making calls, sending messages and using data. ”

See https://www.o2.co.uk/help/network-coverage-and-international/3g-switch-off under Will 2G be switched off as well?

Another explanation here: https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366596441/Virgin-Media-O2-to-begin-2G-network-transition#:~:text=With%20the%20UK%20government%20deciding,move%20almost%2C%20but%20not%20all%2C 

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/07/23/virgin-media-o2-to-begin-2g-migration/

It’s quite clear that from 2025, O2 2G will be for emergency calls, IoT and M2M

brewerdave

Threads like this one, show why the general public (as distinct from the more knowledgeable posters on these fora) are getting more and more confused about the options available via mobile networks.
My biggest gripe is that the mobile operators are running full tilt before the physical network infrastructure is available. In my area (by no means rural) we have no 5g coverage ,virtually unusable 4g and with the switch off of 3g, using the phone is tied to my wifi - not much advance on the "old" fixed line !

PHK

I agree that the switch off of 3G was premature for Vodafone. It seems to have caused lots of problems due to areas without sufficient 4G. 

Anecdotally there don’t seem as many complaints about EE, probably because they have better 4G coverage. 

I think Three’s 3G switch off is going to be problematic. Not only do they not have 2G to fall back on but comparatively over congested 4G and a stalled 5G expansion. (One of the reasons they want to merge with Vodafone) 

Regarding 2G, O2 has most 2G users (which is why they are taking a different approach to Vodafone and EE) but even then it’s only about 1% of subscribers. But that’s still a lot of people to migrate from next year. And the cohort of people using 2G is likely to be the one needing most help to modernise.