Half UK population unaware of 3G switch off

Staff Reporter

June 7, 2023

Half the UK population is unaware of the imending 3G network switch off according to an Opinium survey sample of 2,000 UK adults last December,

Respondents were asked:

‘In 2023 mobile providers will start to switch off their 3G networks to focus on 4G and 5G. Were you aware of this before today?

Fifty one per cent said they didn’t know. Around 27 per cent of people surveyed knew 3G was for the chop.

Networks will switch off 2G and 3G over the next decade to free up spectrum for 4G and 5G.

EE also plans to start its switch-off in early 2024 Three aims to switch off its entire 3G network by the end of 2024. O2 has not yet announced plans but the Government has requested all 3G networks to be closed by 2033.

Vodafone’s 3G shutdown started this month and will apply to its MVNOs including Lebara Mobile, Asda Mobile, Talk Mobile and VOXI,

“3G is used by more than 30 million people. Our research shows more than 15 million aren’t aware it is being phased out or how this will impact their ability to get online. Focusing investment on 4G and 5G networks is a sensible move, However it’s important to make those relying on 3G networks are not caught unaware said uSwitch head of commerce; for broadband and mobile Ernest Doku

Doku: important to make those relying on 3G networks are not caught unaware

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