Mobile firm switches off 3G in three UK locations

A leading mobile provider is switching off its 3G coverage in three areas of England from Wednesday.

Virgin Media O2 is withdrawing the service in Guildford in Surrey, Telford in Shropshire and Norwich in Norfolk, as 4G and 5G replace older systems.

The company said only a small number of customers will be affected, with vulnerable customers having been offered a 4G-ready device free of charge.

The next area in which Virgin will switch off 3G is due to be Torquay in Devon on 4 August.

Anyone in those areas who has not upgraded from 3G will still be able to make phone calls and send text messages, but will not be able to use mobile data.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2's chief technology officer, said: "While we know the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, 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 handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps.

"It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off."

The 3G network, launched two decades ago, now carries only 3% of all network data, and will be switched off completely by Virgin by the end of 2025.

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