Virgin Media O2 sets out plans for withdrawing 2G service

[Enlli]

Looks like 2025 is going to prove a very 'interesting' year on the O2 front

https://www.commsbusiness.co.uk/content/news/virgin-media-o2-sets-out-plans-for-withdrawing-2g-servi....

What could possibly go wrong...⁴

[madasaf1sh]

@Enlli 

That is not VMo2 have released at all , think the article has misread the release 

https://www.mobilenewscwp.co.uk/News/article/3g-network-shutdown-will-accelerate-4g-5g-expansion-2g-... 

and here

https://news.virginmediao2.co.uk/mobilenetworkevolution/

They are assessing removing it quicker than they have commited to, but no mention in either of those that 2G is been removed next year.. but in fairness 2G is over 20 years old now and needs to be sunsetted 

[Enlli]

Seems ISPReview has come to the same conclusion 

Seems to be based on

"next year we’ll start work to move almost all remaining traffic away from the 2G network."

[Oxonian]

ISP Review link here @Enlli :-

Virgin Media O2 Reveals UK Plan for 2G Mobile Switch Off - ISPreview UK

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/07/virgin-media-o2-reveals-uk-plan-for-2g-mobile-switch-o...

The big difference for O2 when compared to the other networks seems to be the vast number of "things" that are on O2 - they have effectively cornered the marked in security systems and also many smart meters communicate via O2's network.  

[bhaskarsamani]

What could possibly go wrong...⁴

alot can go wrong

o2 pay as you go customers can't use vo lte and wifi calling 

[bhaskarsamani]

i had a good point, why was it removed ? 

[bhaskarsamani]

when 2g is turned off, o2 pay as you go customers can't use vo lte or wifi calling 

[jonsie]

Neither has ever been available to payandgo customers and still isn't

[madasaf1sh]

Ill be blunt - No network gives 2 hoots about PAYG its a loss making service, that is best left to Niche MVNO's such as 1p mobile, asda etc... 

O2 dont need to provide any features that make no commercial sense or have any ROI

[bhaskarsamani]

that will be a problem when 2g is turned off