Phone giant to turn off 3G data in Telford
Mobile phone customers in Telford who are still using 3G will have their data switched off in the summer, Virgin Media O2 has confirmed.
Telford, together with Norwich and Guildford, will have its 3G switched off on July 16 with other locations across the UK following between August and the end of the year.
Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “We’re switching off our 3G network to focus our attention and investment on upgrading faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will give our customers a better overall experience.
“Following the successful pilot in Durham earlier this month, we will now be switching off 3G in Norwich, Telford and Guildford in July, and Torquay in early August, with the rest of the UK to follow by the end of the year.
“While we know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, 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 handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps.
“It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off.”
Vodafone, Three and EE have already completed their 3G switch off programmes following an agreement with the Government in 2021.
Customers of virtual network operators that use Virgin Media O2’s mobile network – such as Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and giffgaff – will also be impacted by the switch-off and are being contacted directly by their provider.
Virgin Media O2 first announced in September 2023 that it would switch off 3G services in 2025.
The company says customers who don’t upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off will still be able to use voice calls and send text messages as they currently do for now, but they would not be able to use mobile data.
The withdrawal of 3G services, which will be completed by the end of 2025, is part of long-term plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for customers, the company says.
A decision to move to the next stage of the switch off followed a pilot in the city of Durham in early April.
A spokesperson for Virgin Media O2 said it has upgraded 4G and 5G masts in Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay over the past year.
The company invests around £2m every day into its mobile network to meet ‘ever-growing demand’ for connectivity.
The company says customers can visit their local O2 store for more information and support.
They can also use O2 Recycle to responsibly and sustainably dispose of their old handsets in exchange for cash.
Known vulnerable customers have already been offered a 4G-ready device free of charge, while all other customers who don’t currently have a 4G handset or SIM will be offered a new device at a reduced price.
The company’s 3G network, first launched more than 20 years ago, today carries less than 3 per cent of all network.
The switch-off of this older allows providers like Virgin Media O2 to reallocate mobile spectrum to 4G and 5G services.
Virgin Media O2’s 4G already covers 99 per cent of the population, and 5G is available to 75 per cent of the country, the company says.
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