Vodafone has announced it will switch off the remainder of its 3G network from this June in a huge update for customers.
UK mobile phone network providers are slowly replacing their 3G coverage with 4G and 5G services.
Vodafone completed two successful switch off pilots across Plymouth and Basingstoke in February 2023.
It has now confirmed a national shutdown will happen in phases throughout the remainder of 2023, starting in June with Hull, Oxford and Greater London before progressing across the South.
The rest of the UK will follow later in the year.
The switch off of 3G networks affects your mobile data, so your ability to use the internet on your phone when not connected to a WiFi network.
Vodafone says its 2G network, which currently covers over 99% of the UK population, will remain in place for calls and texts.
As well as upgrading an old system, sending a terabyte of data across the 5G network uses just 7% of the energy used to send the same amount of data across the 3G network.
Vodafone Network Director in the UK, Andrea Dona, said: “Our focus remains to continue to build the UK’s most reliable mobile network and to continue to do this, we need to ensure our technologies are fit for purpose.
“3G use has already dropped significantly as most of Vodafone’s customers now use the 4G network.
“Currently less than 4% of the data is used on our 3G network, in comparison to more than 30% in 2016.”
How to check if your phone is 4G ready
You can check if your phone is compatible with 4G by finding your IMEI number - you can do this by dialling *#06# on your phone.
Once you have your IMEI number, use this compatibility checker on the Vodafone website to see if your device is 4G ready.
If you’re already using 4G or 5G on your phone, you don’t need to do anything.
But if your device isn't compatible with 4G or WiFi calling, and you're on a pay monthly or pay as you go package, you might want to consider upgrading your phone.
This doesn't have to be with Vodafone.
Now could be a good time to compare prices elsewhere to make sure you're getting the best deal for all the minutes, texts and data you need.
You can compare phone deals using a comparison website such as Uswitch.com.
If you’re worried that you won’t be able to afford a new device, tell your provider.
If you don't upgrade your phone, you'll still be able to use 2G for calls and texts, or WiFi calling for making calls.
The only exception is if you're with Three, which doesn’t have a 2G network - in which case, you'll need to upgrade your phone eventually.
EE plans to start its switch-off in early 2024, while Three expects to ditch 3G by the end of 2024.
O2 has not yet announced any switch-off plans.
