Vodafone to Sunset 3G Networks in the UK to Improve 4G and 5G Performance
The company has already switched off 3G services in Basingstoke and Plymouth in February.
- Vodafone UK has announced its plans to phase out 3G services across the nation beginning in June 2023.
- The move has raised concerns about potential accessibility issues for people with basic and older phones.
Vodafone is set to become the first telecom operator in the United Kingdom to completely phase out 3G services across the country, starting in June. The company has stated that it will provide support for vulnerable consumers to ease the transition. However, the move has also gained criticism from bodies such as the Digital Poverty Alliance about the impact on people with older phones and the potential to reduce users’ access to the digital world.
The company has justified the move by stating that less than 4% of its subscribers use the 3G network, a major drop from 30% in 2016. The move is also expected to help the company focus on its 4G and 5G offerings, creating an economic incentive. The company has further stated that the effort is part of its initiative to become carbon neutral by 2027, leveraging the energy efficiency of 5G.
The company is working with charities and other third-party organizations to provide support to affected consumers and has provided information on its website to check phones for compatibility with 4G.
Furthermore, regulator Ofcom has stated that all 3G and 2G networks will be completely shut down in the country by the end of 2033, with 3G networks coming under the axe first. 2G networks may remain available for a few more years, with coverage for 99% of the nation’s population for text and call purposes.
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O2, EE, and Three Reveal Their Own Shutdown Plans
While Vodafone is the first telecom company in the country to phase out 3G, it is not the only one. Competitors O2, 3, EE, and BT have also revealed plans to leave the 3G network behind by the end of next year in agreement with Ofcom’s regulatory policies.
The transition will bring the U.K. at par with the U.S., which phased out its 3G network in 2022. The 3G shutdown will allow the U.K. to repurpose the 2100 and 900 MHz bands for 4G and 5G operations, making the entire transition resource-efficient.
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