topic Re: 2g 3g switch off in Pay As You Go

2g 3g switch off

Squidley — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 14:41:33 GMT

I use a PAYG SIM have done for 18 years. I only top upfew times a year. I don't live in a good reception area but need the phone and WhatsApp has been a lifeline.

. My question is If I buy a new 5G phone can I just put my old SIM into this phone and carry on topping up as and when needed and not have to have a monthly contract. Thx

Re: 2g 3g switch off

Enlli — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:03:14 GMT

If it is a very old SIM it will need replacing.

Best way to do that would be at an O2 shop, taking in photo ID.

However, there still remains question marks on PAYG. At present there is no access to 5G and PAYG has no access to 4G calling which is going to be essential for calls.

Until we know what 02 are going to do about this it is hard to advise, although a new phone and SIM would put you in a better position

Re: 2g 3g switch off

jonsie — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:31:51 GMT

Definitely replace the sim card as suggested by going instore

Your tariff and allowances will remain the same

Don't be tempted to order from customer service please

Re: 2g 3g switch off

MI5 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:52:37 GMT

@Squidley

O2 will apparently be contacting customers with 3g only phones to offer free or discounted 4g / 5g handsets (not entirely sure how this will work but was announced in a recent press release), so might be worth you holding off any new purchases now until you've spoken to O2.

News report here if you believe it https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/32762874/mobile-provider-o2-closing-down-3g-free-replacement-phone/

Re: 2g 3g switch off

Joe_90 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:23:34 GMT

I think O2 are about to force people on a Pay-as-you-go (Pay-for-what-you-use package where you only top up when credit gets low) to move onto a "Pay £10 a month regardless of whether you use it or not" package with 1GB of data 1000mins of calls and 3000 texts. I received a text from O2 informing me that this is about to happen to my Pay-as-you-go account.

An 02 shop will update your sim card for free so if you want to buy a new phone to use 5G that's the way to go. If you buy a new phone make sure it is NOT tied to a network as you may also want to start looking for another carrier if you are also forced to change. There are quite a few with much better deals than o2 for the same or better monthly pay packages. (Asda for instance at 3GB of data and unlimited calls and texts for £5 a month)

Re: 2g 3g switch off

MI5 — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 16:28:08 GMT

There's no 5g on O2 PAYG so a 5g phone is pointless.

Re: 2g 3g switch off

Squidley — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 14:27:31 GMT

Hi Thanks for all the replies. Think I've asked wrong question I'm not too up on mobiles..lolol I have a newer SIM i.e. small one PAYG. If I upgrade to a 4G phone, currently have a 3G can I still use my PAYG? Thanks for your help

Re: 2g 3g switch off

MI5 — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 14:53:17 GMT

@Squidley wrote:
Hi Thanks for all the replies. Think I've asked wrong question I'm not too up on mobiles..lolol I have a newer SIM i.e. small one PAYG. If I upgrade to a 4G phone, currently have a 3G can I still use my PAYG? Thanks for your help

@Squidley

Yes, just put your sim in the new phone and carry on as normal.

Re: 2g 3g switch off

Squidley — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 12:05:19 GMT

Thank you for your help

Re: 2g 3g switch off

Squidley — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:09:01 GMT

Hi. Sorry to trouble you again but I've just re read through all comments and Enlii in one of the responses says that PAYG has no access to 4G. I've tried to call 02 but that was hopeless as she couldn't answer the simple question and said I would have to hold (again) whilst she checked it out. I'd already been on for ages so I said thanks but got to go. I'm not very good with all of this. Thanks

Re: 2g 3g switch off

MI5 — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 13:34:38 GMT

@Squidley

You can use 4g for data, but not for calls.

We don't know yet what will happen for PAYG customers when O2 turn off the 3g network.

They will either have to move everyone to giffgaff or provide the 4g calling option to O2 PAYG sim cards.

Re: 2g 3g switch off

pgn — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 17:43:12 GMT

To clarify, @Squidley

PAYG on O2 has no access to

1. 4G Calling, also called VoLTE (tied to WiFi Calling)

https://www.o2.co.uk/connectivity/wifi-and-4g-calling

2. 5G anything

Not all networks are as restrictive - as mentioned above: giffgaff, which uses the O2 network as its carrier, does support "4G calling / VoLTE" on its PAYG service.