topic Re: 3G gone...... in Tech Support

3G gone......

Bill_C — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:00:11 GMT

It finally happened looks like...3G (rural Mid-Wales) is gone.

I logged a fault yesterday...and O2 came back with the "Could not find a fault" today.

So I checked my Network connections and sure enough only 2G available (same with Vodafone - the only other network available in my area).

The question is wasn't users in my area notified by O2?

We know that O2 3G will be gone by 2025...but why not let customers know about this beforehand?

Re: 3G gone......

Enlli — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:10:05 GMT

I was not aware that O2 are closing 3G as yet. From the start of 2025 was the given date.

Vodafone, on the other hand, have closed 3G.

Re: 3G gone......

Bill_C — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:19:02 GMT

Yep.

Fortunately I have a 4G backup.

The 2025 date was most likely a deadline for complete shutdown....it will be done in stages leaving Rural areas for last (same with Vodafone).

Re: 3G gone......

Enlli — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:23:03 GMT

Not according to O2. This is their blurb

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/network-coverage-and-international/3g-switch-off

Re: 3G gone......

MI5 — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 10:54:58 GMT

@Bill_C

Keep checking here as recent faults sometimes take a while to update O2 | Service Status

Also check the app https://www.o2.co.uk/apps/my-network

Re: 3G gone......

Bill_C — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:31:07 GMT

Thanks for the feedback folks...but it is NOT a Service fault issue....and I doubt it is a phone fault.

Both Vodafone and O2 use the same antenna....and until yesterday (for the past 10+years) both of them also provided 3G.

They both disappeared from my Network at the same time. Now both of them only 2G and 4G.

Re: 3G gone......

MI5 — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:00:58 GMT

Maybe they started early then.

If they did, no one has told us here.

Re: 3G gone......

madasaf1sh — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 13:14:58 GMT

@Bill_C

They dont use the same antenna, they use the same mast, but each has distinct infrastructure on the mast provided by CTIL (if I remember)...

There are small scale trials of removing 3G but I havent seen any enterprise customer notifications of anywhere been done as yet...

Re: 3G gone......

japitts — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 11:04:21 GMT

@Bill_C wrote:

Both Vodafone and O2 use the same antenna

I very much doubt it, unless you happen to be using one of the few original "single grid" sites that's not yet been "unwound". Site sharing is a very complex subject, with numerous permutations - but it's quite a common scenario for multiple operators to have their own active equipment (antennas & radio modules) on the same tower or structure.

CTIL, as mentioned by another poster, is the management company for the shared grid of sites that VF & O2 once used for active RAN sharing.

Re: 3G gone......

MI5 — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 11:57:14 GMT

O2 have given us this info in relation to this.

From what has been outlined, there was a small trial conducted earlier this year to switch off these (very small) sites but aside from that nothing is planned until next year:

70520 Quixwood

70593 Preston Plantation

2930 GRANTSHOUSE

2931 AUCHENCROW

70515 Horseley Farm

70516 RESTON

70517 Horseley Hill

70518 GRANTHOUSE

70519 BUTTERDEAN FARM

70521 PENRITH

70522 BOWSHIEL

70523 TOWNHEAD FARM

236 DUNBAR SOUTH

237 AYTON

8294 LAMBERTON

10582 BURNMOUTH

10583 LAWFIELD

39293 CHIRNSIDE TOWN

70512 Burnmouth-Lamberton

70513 NEWTON BRAE FOULDEN

70514 Coldingham - Whitecross

70524 Cove - Linhead Farm

70525 Pathhead Farm

74674 Eyemouth