Virgin Media O2 issues warning over popular service being axed from April

A warning has been issued to Virgin Media O2 customers over 3G being shut down in April. Virgin Media O2 has today named the city of Durham as the first area where 3G services will be switched off in April, it has confirmed.

Other UK mobile operators have already completed their 3G switch off programmes. Virgin Media O2’s 4G coverage already covers 99% of the population, and 5G is available to more than half of the country, it said today (Monday January 13).

This follows the announcement in 2023 that the legacy 3G network would be switched off in order to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for mobile customers. The company has started directly contacting the small proportion of customers in the area who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device to let them know that, from April, they will require a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data.

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Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Switching off 3G will be an important milestone in the evolution of our network, enabling us to focus our attention and investment on faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will deliver improved services for our customers.

“By starting in just one location and by putting careful monitoring in place, we’ll minimise disruption to customers and ensure the success of this essential modernisation programme. While the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not be impacted, our priority is to provide support to those who need it. That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G-ready device, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to help them prepare.

“We will continue to support our customers as we complete the switch off of our 3G network.” O2 customers can find out more about the 3G switch off on its website.

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