Virgin Media O2, which owns the UK’s O2 carrier network, has announced the date for the telco’s 3G network shutdown. The company said that it will shut down 3G services in Norwich, Telford, and Guildford on July 16 and in Torquay on August 4.
The company has described the decision as part of “a part of longer-term plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for customers.”
“3G services in those areas will be switched off in the coming weeks, and those who currently don’t have a 4G or 5G device must upgrade to a compatible handset in order to retain access to mobile data services,” Virgin Media O2 said.
With 3G sunsetting, O2 will clearly focus on newer and more capable technologies. As the company said, it will stress 4G and 5G services. Other industry competitors, Vodafone, Three, and EE, have already phased out 3G on their respective networks. That leaves O2 as the only telco to be providing 3G to its customers. But that’s about to end soon.
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O2 customers to get a compatible device after 3G shutdown
Though most smartphone users won’t be affected by the 3G discontinuation, there may still be users with a handset that supports only a 3G network. But the company is trying to address the situation for them. The company has said that it will provide such “known vulnerable customers” a 4G handset for free. And others with no 4G phone or a compatible SIM card, will get one “at a reduced price.”
But again, the number of customers to be affected by the 3G shutdown will be very low.
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The sunset of 3G on the O2 network means the UK users now won’t have to connect to 3G for voice or data. They will have access to 4G and 5G on their smartphones, which are more capable than the legacy network.