O2 issues important 'switch off' message to UK users - you must check your phone now
O2 users are being issued with emails urging them to make sure their smartphones are compatible with 4G and 5G data.
A major change is coming to the UK, and it's vital phone owners check their devices without delay. Many of Britain's most mobile networks are closing down their ageing 3G platforms in a bid to boost newer 4G and 5G technology. It's a major update, and those with older devices could soon find they no longer have access to vital data services when away from home.
EE and Vodafone have already performed the closure. Now, O2 is in the process of shutting its 3G signal and is urging its users to make some important checks and consider switching to more modern phones.
In an email seen by Mirror Online, O2 said: "We recently got in touch to let you know we’ll be turning off our 3G services. This change has already started, and we’ll be continuing the switch off across the country throughout 2025.
"You may currently have a device that’s not fully compatible with the UK’s 4G or 5G network. After the switch off, you could experience a drop in call quality and be unable to access mobile data, including the internet and messaging apps like WhatsApp."
Along with issuing the alert, O2 has also supplied a link with reveals all the phones that could soon lose their connection.
Once clicked, customers can simply add their phone's model number to see if it will continue to work in the future.
So why is this change taking place?
3G has long been superseded by 4G and 5G networks with it carrying less and less traffic as people switch to improved technology.
O2 says that by focusing its investment on 4G and 5G, it will be able to further expand and upgrade services, while being more energy efficient and better for the environment.
Of course, one of the biggest benefits of 4G and 5G is that it's much faster than 3G, which means users can easily stream movies and download files when away from fixed line broadband.
3G can only muster around 30 Mbps speeds, 5G can push well past 300Mbps.
When will the O2 3G switch off take place?
O2's full 3G switch off will start from April 2025, in Durham, and will continue across the UK throughout the rest of the year.