Millions of O2, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Virgin and GiffGaff customers have been warned they could LOSE data access after a 3G switch off this year. A new Opinium survey of 2,000 UK adults, which was commissioned by Uswitch.com, shows more than 4.3 million Brits could potentially be left without access to mobile broadband if they don’t upgrade their device before O2 switches-off their 3G service.
O2 became the final operator to reveal their plan for switching off their old 3G mobile data network back in 2023. O2 has also start shifting almost all remaining traffic and customers off their oldest 2G network this year too.
But they won’t be turning that off completely for “several years ” because it’s still necessary for some vital services, it says. New data shows that O2’s 3G switch-off could leave 4.3 million British people without access to mobile data.
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The figures also, worryingly, show six per cent of respondents (almost 3 million people) on O2, Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, Virgin Media and Sky Mobile don’t know if their phone is 4G or 5G ready. Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, said: “The 3G switch-off, which began last year, is a crucial step to free up capacity for expanding 4G and 5G networks, offering significantly faster and more reliable connectivity than 3G.
“While the majority of customers do have a 4G or 5G compatible phone, there will still be a proportion of customers with older devices who will need to upgrade this year. If you’re still using an older phone, you can check your device’s 4G and 5G compatibility by looking for ‘Network Mode’ or ‘Prefered Network’ under ‘Network’ or ‘Mobile Data’ in your Settings. If you see 4G or 5G, your phone is compatible.
“If you do need to upgrade, there are plenty of affordable options out there, and it may be worth looking into a refurbished device if you’re not looking for the latest launches and don’t want a costly upgrade. It’s also worth running a coverage check for your area – Ofcom has one on its website – especially if you live rurally and have previously relied on 3G. Most of the country has strong 4G or 5G coverage, but it’s always a good idea to check which networks have the best coverage in the places you frequent most.
“The 3G switch-off is an important step in moving us towards a faster and more reliable service, but consumers must be fully aware of their network plans and how it might impact their device.”