Vodafone users are being warned that their mobile phones may soon be impacted by changes.
The phone company has become the first major mobile network to switch off 3G in parts of the country with other networks set to follow. As a result, if you've got an old mobile handset you may soon lose internet access on your device.
According to Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert newsletter, the switch off is most likely to be an issue for users of older mobile devices and Sim cards that can't connect to newer 4G or 5G networks. Telecoms regulator Ofcom estimates 5.5 million people will be affected by the combined shake-up.
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Here is everything you need to know about the changes.
Which handsets are likely to lose internet access
If you have a phone or Sim that only supports 3G, you will no longer be able to access the internet once your network turns it off. You’ll still be able to make calls and send text messages over 2G, though you'll also lose the functionality to do this when 2G is eventually switched off too.
Other devices, such as personal care alarms, security alarms, car satellite navigation systems and payment terminals, might also be affected by the 3G switch-off - though it's unclear if these rely on a particular network's service.
When the internet on your phone will begin to be turned off
The Government has set a deadline for 3G to be turned off by 2025 and 2G by 2033 - though some networks will do so sooner. Here's when the major mobile networks plan to turn off 2G and 3G.
- Vodafone: The 3G switch-off began in February 2023 in Basingstoke and Plymouth initially, with further locations to be announced. Vodafone hasn't said exactly when 2G will be turned off yet.
- EE: 3G will be switched off in early 2024, with its 2G network to be switched off "later in the decade".
- Three: 3G will be completely turned off by the end of 2024. Three doesn't use the 2G network.
- O2: Yet to confirm exact dates.
Once the main networks switch off 3G and 2G, it'll also disappear on the networks that piggyback off of them. For example, Asda Mobile, Lebara, TalkMobile and Voxi all use the Vodafone network, so users in Basingstoke and Plymouth can no longer access 3G on those networks.
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