Did you receive a message from your mobile provider recently warning you they would be switching off the 3G network soon?
I did and it got me wondering whether it will impact me in any way and whether I would need to shop for a new phone contract. I’m in a mainly 4G area so I don’t even know if my phone ever uses 3G.
How about you?
Most of us have heard of the PSTN switch off, where BT will be turning off the old switched network in favour of fully digital.
But how many of you have heard about the 3G switch off?
The big 3G switch off
The 3G switch off uses the same principle as the PSTN switch off. Turning off the old networks to make space for the new.
The big 4 providers, Three, Vodafone, O2 and EE all run their own networks and 3G forms a part of that.
Now we’re mainly 4G and 5G, the old 3G network isn’t used much anymore. That’s why the networks will begin switching it off in 2023.
The hardware that runs 3G costs money to power and maintain. Money that could be better spent developing 5G and 6G networks.
3G also uses up frequencies (called spectrum) that could be used for 5G.
Wait, roll back a minute. What’s 3G?
3G, 4G and 5G explained
A 3G network is 3rd (G)generation, 4G is 4th generation and 5G is 5th generation.
Each is built using the latest technology to deliver the fastest speeds, clearest sound and most efficient traffic management.
When I talk speed, I mean download speed, like those of your home broadband. It’s a measure of how fast you can download a file to your phone.
Voice has changed very little so call quality has improved slightly. It’s all about the data now.
Originally, 3G was capable of 144Kbps data speeds. That increased to 3Mbps as it developed and up to 8Mbps by the end of 3G’s dominance.
3G was replaced by 4G which is capable of 15Mbps and then by 4G+ which is capable of up to 90Mbps.
5G is now the main network type and is capable of up to 200Mbps speeds. More in some areas.
So back to the big 3G switch off.
When is the 3G switch off?
The government agreed back in 2021 to turn off the older networks. It left the exact timing of it up to the big 4.
- Vodafone has said it will begin switching off 3G in early 2023.
- EE will also switch off 3G services throughout 2023.
- Three will switch off 3G services by the end of 2024.
- O2 has yet to provide a switch off date.
If you’re with another mobile network like giffgaff, Sky Mobile, Asda Mobile or someone else, you’ll be using one of these four networks.
All providers other than the big 4 buy access to these networks to provide their own services.
For example, giifgaff and Sky Mobile uses the O2 network and Asda Mobile uses Vodafone.
The process won’t happen overnight. There’s a lot of work to do and a lot of hardware to remove. It will take months to complete but shouldn’t impact your current service in any way.
Will the 3G switch off impact me?
If you use a relatively new mobile phone, chances are the 3G switch off won’t impact you at all.
If you have a very old phone that isn’t capable of 4G, you may need to upgrade your handset. Your contract will likely include 4G and 5G.
If you use old alarm systems or legacy communications technology that uses 3G networks, like remote cameras for example, you’ll need to upgrade them.
For most people, there’s nothing to do and nothing to worry about.
It’s a change, but not one you will notice.
