Vodafone is the first major mobile network to start switching off its 3G services, meaning people with older handsets may soon lose access to the internet through their phones.
The telecoms giant, which has nearly 18m subscribers in the UK, said the national shutdown will be phased thoughout 2023, with all areas switched off by the end of the year. All mobile providers have to shut off their 2G and 3G services by 2033 at the latest, with 3G networks being shut first.
The Government has set a deadline for 3G to be turned off by 2025 and 2G by 2033 to free up capacity to expand 4G and 5G network coverage, according to Telecoms regulator Ofcom, which estimates around 5.5 million people will be affected by the shake-up.
Read more: Mobile phone warning issued with millions overpaying for handsets they already own
However, campaigners have warned that Vodafone turning off its 3G network will lead to people with older and more basic phones falling into "digital poverty."
You’ll still be able to make calls and send text messages over Vodafone’s 2G network, which currently covers over 99 per cent of the UK population, although 2G will also eventually be switched off under the plans. It is unknown whether other devices, such as personal care alarms, security alarms, car satellite navigation systems and payment terminals, might also be affected by the 3G switch-off.
However, if you have an older mobile devices and sim cards that can't connect to newer 4G or 5G networks, you will no longer be able to carry out most internet-related tasks once your network turns it off, as 2G is likely to be too to be able to perform most tasks. In its latest Connected Nations report, Ofcom said the four main networks have 4G coverage outdoors in around 99% of the UK, and lmost all new phones and sims now support 4G.
Vodafone UK's chief network officer, Andrea Dona, said 3G use had "dropped significantly" to less than than 4% of its customers' data being used on its 3G network, compared with more than 30% in 2016, and said the telecoms company is working to support vulnerable customers with third parties, including charities.
But Digital Poverty Alliance has criticised the switch-off, saying it will have an adverse effect on the mission to help more people access the digital world.
The campaign group, which says its objective is help people access the "life-changing benefits" of digital services, says 14 million British people rarely engage online, with 18% of adults relying on their their phone to access digital services. In a statement, it said: switching off 3G would have "detrimental effects", saying: "Older and basic devices do not have 4G capabilities, so individuals who can only get online using a basic device will fall into digital poverty."
3G was launched in 2001 and offered speeds high enough to allow for audio and video streaming and marked the start of widespread internet on mobile phones. The first generation of mobile connectivity - 1G - came out in the 1980s, and was followed by 2G in the 1990s, which enabled text messaging.
4g launched in late 2009, offering offers vastly improved browsing and download speeds, so an album which would take 20 minutes to download on 3G would only take three minutes to download on 4G. 5G, which arrived in 2019, is the next generation of wireless technology and offers faster downloads, uploads and no more buffering when you’re watching a video or streaming.
Vodafone is the first network to start switching off 3G, with others to follow. Once the main networks switch off 3G and 2G, it'll also disappear on the networks that piggyback off of them, such as Asda Mobile, Lebara, TalkMobile and Voxi, which all use the Vodafone network.
Here's when the main networks plan to start the 2G and 3G switch-off, according to Money Saving Expert:
- Vodafone: The 3G switch-off began in February 2023 and will be complete by the end of 2023. Vodafone hasn't said when 2G will be turned off yet.
- EE: 3G will be switched off in early 2024, with its 2G network to be switched off "later in the decade".
- Three: 3G will be completely turned off by the end of 2024. Three doesn't use the 2G network.
- O2: Yet to confirm exact dates.
Vodafone has information available to make sure that consumers are aware of 3G switch-off and have the information they need to prepare here.
Will you be affected when 3G is switched off? Join in the conversation below
To check if your phone will still be able to access the internet once 3G is turned off, Money Saving Expert suggests::
- Go to your phone's settings and look for the "Mobile Network" or "Network Settings" option. Here, you should see a list of network modes that your phone supports If you don’t see 4G or 5G, then your phone doesn’t support it.
-
Check your phone's specifications in the user manual or by searching for your phone's make and model online. Look for information on the phone's network capabilities and check if it supports 4G or 5G.
-
Use a 4G checking tool, such as Vodafone's 4G checker, which is also available to customers of other providers, or IEMI.info. To use the checkers you'll need your phone's IMEI number, its unique ID number. You can get this by doing the following:
- Dial *#06#
- You'll be shown a barcode relating to your phone, including your phone's IEMI number.
- Enter this IEMI number into a 4G checking tool and it'll tell you if your phone is compatible or not.
- Contact your network. If you're still unsure whether your phone supports 4G, you can contact your network and ask it to check for you.
Now read:
- The real cost of charging your phone - and you might be surprised
- Scam warning as fraudsters infiltrate legitimate text messages
-
12 Android apps banned by Google as millions of mobile phone owners urged to delete them
- Experts warn consumers not to listen to social media 'advice' on energy bills
- Cost of living: Prices we pay now compared to just five years ago
