Up to 4.3 million individuals with antiquated mobile phones could lose web access when the 3G signal is phased out this year, sparking concern from experts at Uswitch.com. They have highlighted that O2, utilised by a variety of mobile brands, is on track to be the last UK network to discontinue 3G services, potentially disrupting millions of O2, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Virgin, and GiffGaff customers.
Networks such as Vodafone, Three, and EE have already turned off their 3G networks to focus on the speedier 4G and 5G services. Research from Uswitch.com has revealed nearly 3 million customers across O2, Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, Virgin, and Sky Mobile are unsure if their phone is equipped for 4G or 5G, while over 1.3 million people reportedly still employ a 3G handset.
Uswitch warns, “This means over 4m consumers could lose access to mobile data if they don’t upgrade their devices or take the steps recommended by their providers.”
Up to 4.3 million individuals with antiquated mobile phones could lose web access when the 3G signal is phased out this year
(Image: Getty)
The withdrawal of 3G will mostly affect internet services for those with older gadgets but won’t impact calls and texts, which will remain accessible.
In the upcoming months, O2 and partnered providers plan to reach out to those affected to offer essential support .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 ‘Preferred 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.”
He added: “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.”