Virgin Media O2 are making significant changes to their 2G and 3G networks which may impact you as an O2 customer.
Our role, as a strategic direct partner for O2 is to provide our valued customers of this change and ensure you have the knowledge needed to avoid losing service. Our commitment to providing clear and thorough information is part of our dedication to customer satisfaction and seamless connectivity.
Virgin Media O2 3G switch off
Last year, Virgin Media O2 announced plans to phase out 3G services by 2025. This decision follows extensive trials and consultations, with recent 3G switch-off trials successfully completed. The move to phase out 3G is on track and scheduled for completion by the end of next year. This transition is aimed at reducing energy consumption and delivering enhanced speeds and reliability for customers, leveraging more efficient 4G and 5G technologies. The shift to these newer technologies is a crucial step in ensuring that O2 remains at the forefront of telecommunications providing top-tier service to its customers.
While O2 has been clear about the 3G switch-off timeline, they are expected to provide more detailed information on the phasing of the closure as soon as it becomes available. This phased approach will allow customers ample time to transition and adapt to the new network settings. The systematic phasing out of 3G will help minimise any potential disruptions and ensure a smooth transition for all users.
Simultaneously, O2 will begin efforts to divert traffic away from the 2G network. Unlike the 3G network, 2G will not be turned off completely. Instead, it will continue to play an important role, especially in carrying emergency calls in areas that lack 4G coverage. Additionally, 2G will support data traffic for Internet of Things (IoT) communications, which includes applications such as smart metering. This continued use of 2G underscores its reliability and essential role in the broader telecommunications infrastructure.
Changes in Roaming Services
O2 will also withdraw the 2G and 3G inbound roaming services starting 1 October 2025 for all international partners, except for Telefonica Spain. Roaming users will be redirected to more efficient 4G, 5G, and LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) networks. This 3G switch off is designed to provide better service and connectivity for international travellers, ensuring that they benefit from the latest advancements in mobile technology. While most customers will experience these changes seamlessly in the background, some will need to upgrade their devices and/or SIM cards to ensure compatibility with 4G, 5G, or LPWAN networks.
Actions Required from Customers
To avoid service disruption, customers are encouraged to take several proactive steps. The first step is to verify whether your current handset is 4G or 5G capable. For instance, any iPhone from the iPhone 5, released in 2012, onwards will have 4G capabilities, and models from the iPhone 12 onwards support 5G. You can check this by navigating to:
Settings > Mobile Data Options > Voice & Data on your iPhone, which will display whether your device supports 4G or 5G.
Similarly, for Samsung users, the first phone to support 4G was the Samsung Galaxy S, released in 2013. Devices earlier than this will not support 4G and will need to be upgraded in time for the 3G switch off. The Galaxy S10, launched in 2019, was the first Samsung handset to support 5G. Therefore, if you have an older device, an upgrade will be necessary to ensure continued service post-3G shutdown.
Update your SIM card
Additionally, it’s essential to ensure that your SIM card is compatible with these new networks. If your SIM card is more than 10 years old, it might not support 4G or 5G services. In such cases, our team will conduct a free SIM swap for you ahead of the 3G switch off. You can contact the support team at [email protected] to arrange this.
Our priority is to make this transition as smooth as possible for all our customers during the 3G switch off. We are committed to providing support and guidance throughout this process. Please reach out to your Account Manager or the support team at Active Digital to discuss your current handset and ensure it meets the new requirements.
In summary, while the 3G switch off is phased on the network changes are significant, they represent a positive step towards a more efficient and reliable mobile network. By proactively upgrading your devices and ensuring compatibility with 4G and 5G networks, you can continue to enjoy uninterrupted service and benefit from enhanced connectivity and performance. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we make these important improvements to our network.
