The UK’s major mobile providers, including EE and Vodafone, have gradually been axing all 3G services over the past few years.
Virgin Media O2 will become the latest provider to switch off its 3G network next month so it can focus on the “faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient” 4G and 5G networks.
The telecommunications company, via its website, said: “3G has been superseded by 4G and 5G networks over recent years, with the 3G network carrying less and less traffic.
“By focusing our investment on 4G and 5G, we’ll be able to further expand and upgrade services. And it means you’ll be able to benefit from quicker download speeds and higher quality voice calls.”
📡 Virgin Media O2 begins its 3G switch-off this April in Durham, marking a key milestone in our network evolution.
This move allows us to focus on faster, more reliable #4G and #5G services, delivering better connectivity for our customers. 🌐📱
Learn more here:… pic.twitter.com/JE1YXHkKnA
— Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) January 13, 2025
Virgin Media O2’s 3G network switch off will begin in April, with the city of Durham the first area affected.
The switch-off is also set to impact other mobile providers which use Virgin Media O2’s network, including:
- Giffgaff
- Sky Mobile
- Tesco Mobile
“You’ll struggle to do even the basics”: Virgin Media O2 customers with 3G devices warned to switch
Martin Lewis’ Money Saving Expert (MSE) warned that those Virgin Media O2 customers with phones or sims that only support 3G will need to change urgently or be left with no internet.
MSE explained: “If you have a phone or Sim that only supports 3G, you’ll effectively no longer be able to use the internet once it’s fully switched off by your provider – you’ll still technically be able to connect to the internet, but you’ll struggle to do even basic tasks.
“You’ll still be able to make calls and send text messages over 2G, though the quality of the call will likely be a lot worse than it was on the 3G network.”
Virgin Media O2’s 3G network switch-off begins in April 2025. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) The 3G switch-off will only impact those customers with older devices and sim cards, ones that are unable to connect to the newer 4G or 5G networks.
Devices affected by Virgin Media O2’s 3G switch off
If you are unsure whether or not your device will lose data access when Virgin Media O2’s 3G network is switched off in April, don’t worry; there is a way to check.
Visit the Virgin Media O2 website and look at its list of devices that are not compatible with 4G and WiFi Calling.
If your phone/sim is on that list, you will be impacted by the switch-off and will need to change devices before it happens.
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Devices on the list include:
Apple iPhone
- iPhone 1 Generation
- iPhone 3G
- iPhone 3GS
- iPhone 4
- iPhone 5S
Samsung
- Samsung ZV60
- Samsung Binou
- Samsung GT-C3592
- Samsung BEAT S
- Samsung Galaxy Fame
- Samsung SLIDER
- Samsung Galaxy Ace 3
Sony
- Sony Ericsson WT13I
- Sony Ericsson W705
- Sony Xperia Z2
- Sony Xperia E
LG
- LG Calisto
- LG Pop
- LG Prada
- LG New Chocolate
- LG G1600
Google
- Google Galaxy Nexus
- Google Nexus ONE
Motorola
- Motorola MOTO E
- Motorola EM30
- Motorola Motokey Social
- Motorola C118V
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Nokia
- Nokia 220
- Nokia 106.1
- Nokia Lumia 925
- Nokia 2330 Classic
For the full list of devices affected or any further information about Virgin Media O2’s 3G network switch-off, visit its website (a link to which can be found above).
