23 April 2025
O2 (Virgin Media) has announced the next four locations for its 3G mobile network switch-off program. Norwich, Telford, Guildford, and Torquay will see their 3G service discontinued starting 16 July and 4 August, respectively. This phase follows a successful pilot in Durham earlier this month.
The nationwide switch-off, planned for completion by the end of 2025, is designed to free up radio spectrum, improve 4G and 5G network coverage and speeds, reduce costs, and decrease power consumption. O2 has upgraded masts in the affected areas in preparation.
Customers in these areas (including those on virtual network operators like Sky Mobile and giffgaff) will need a 4G or 5G compatible SIM and phone to access mobile data after the switch-off. 2G services (voice and text) will remain available for now, but O2 will phase out 2G as well. O2 is proactively contacting vulnerable customers and offering free 4G-ready devices. Other customers without 4G handsets are offered a discounted upgrade. The overall national 3G switch-off will begin in August 2025. Individual location announcements will cease at that point due to the scale of the effort.
O2's CTO emphasizes the commitment to upgrading to more reliable 4G and 5G networks and providing support to customers needing assistance. This transition reflects the industry-wide effort to modernize mobile networks.
