3G switch-off dates for UK networks

[pgn]

Detail here, summary below: https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/05/vodafone-to-start-switching-off-rest-of-uk-3g-network-...

The Phase Out Plans for 3G Mobile

➤ Three UK said they’ll be phasing out our 3G network service gradually over the next 2 years and switching it off by the end of 2024.

➤ EE (BT) will this year begin moving customers off 3G rather than switching the network off, but they aim to switch it off in early 2024.

➤ O2 (Virgin Media) informed us that they’ve yet to announce a public sunsetting timeframe, but are supportive of the Government plans to switch off both 2G and 3G by 2033.

[gmarkj]

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@pgn wrote:

➤ O2 (Virgin Media) informed us that they’ve yet to announce a public sunsetting timeframe, but are supportive of the Government plans to switch off both 2G and 3G by 2033.

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So nothing in the short term then @pgn !

[pgn]

Not something that commits them to a particular course of action within a timeframe, no, @gmarkj 🫣 

[pgn]

Mythbusting... Taken from link at end of post:

"The main reason why 3G is going first is that there are so few critically 3G dependent devices and services left in circulation, partly because the technology – bogged down as it was by overpriced spectrum licensing – never quite took off like 4G did."

- a weak 4G signal can still be better than a strong 3G one (i.e. how many signal “bars” you see on your handset doesn’t always reflect capability). 

- consider switching mobile operator as they all have different coverage strengths and weaknesses, which will vary between sites.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2023/06/clarifying-some-myths-around-the-uk-shutdown-of-3g-mob...

[Enlli]

EE are doing a trial 3G turn off where my daughter lives in Warrington. 

Vodafone are also on the way.

[madasaf1sh]

o2 have a lot of IOT /M2M sim cards that sit on 3G and 2G so its a bit more complicated for o2 to switch off 3G...

[pgn]

Sounds like O2 didn't plan that out quite as well as the rest, HeyHo - press ahead, we'll figure out plan B when the time comes 😆

[Enlli]

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@pgn wrote:

Sounds like O2 didn't plan that out quite as well as the rest, HeyHo - press ahead, we'll figure out plan B when the time comes 😆

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Some would say they didn't plan 4G well going for quantity rather than quantity. 

Even 4g + is a rarity on my phone

[madasaf1sh]

To be honest that is not o2's issue, its the service owners, who have chosen to use cheap technology rather than the expensive LTE-M standard, but even today some of the IOT tech still only needs 2G or to be honest LPWAN's  

[Phil83]

O2 had stopped all network investment when they were planning the 3 merger. This has cost them a few years of investment and now they can't afford to switch 3G off, move people to 4G and invest in 5G all at the same time.