O2 is planning to shut down its 3G service by the end of 2025, here's everything you need to know
When I woke up today I wasn't expecting this. Telecommunications provider Virgin Media O2 has announced on the O2 website as well as on their blog that they are shutting off their 3G network by the end of 2025. This will be carried out in waves throughout 2025.
This follows announcements from the other 3 network providers in the UK: Vodafone, Three and EE. Vodafone is currently in the process of turning off its 3G network, although it is still available in some areas (including where I live). Both Three and EE plan to turn it off sometime next year.
Throughout the next 18 months, O2 will be working with the Good Things Foundation in order to make sure that customers will receive support throughout this process.
O2 plans to upgrade and expand their 4G and 5G networks in order to make sure customers don't lose any service during the shutdown.
One thing I find particularly interesting about today’s announcement from O2 is that unlike other providers, Voice over LTE1 or WiFi calling was not mentioned at all in the two pages I linked earlier, and O2 instead recommends the 2G network for calls and texts…2
I assume this is due to O2 not supporting text messages via VoWiFi (not entirely sure about VoLTE, can't check because my VoLTE and VoWiFi hasn't been working for months despite being provisioned). Either way I still think that it was a terrible move not to mention either of them, considering if you're trying to multitask while you're on a call, it's basically going to be impossible due to how slow the 2G network is. Right now, the 2G network has somewhat usable speeds (depending on where you are, and whether you're loading a light webpage like theoldnet.com), but I imagine it will become significantly worse considering 3G smart meters will obviously fall back onto 2G.
If you'd like to learn more about the 3G switch-off, I would recommend reading this article I made a few months ago.
O2 generally refers to this as 4G calling in other pages on their website, but Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is the technical name for it.
O2 does advertise higher quality calling through 4G and 5G networks with this quote, but that's honestly all that they mention about calling over 4G and 5G.
The move to simplify the network will mean mobile spectrum can be reallocated to the more efficient 4G and 5G services which will improve customers’ experience with faster data speeds, more reliable streaming and higher-quality voice call services.
Meanwhile, this is what they state about any potential closures for 2G in the future.
Furthermore, while 2G will ultimately be switched off by 2033 – in line with government targets – it will remain in place to carry calls and texts while 3G is switched off.