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Go to BasketUpgrading our mobile network
The way we use our phones and data has shifted, that’s why we’re upgrading our mobile network to sure it can support the changing way we use technology, now and into the future.
Durham 3G switch-off
From Wednesday 2 April we will be switching off the 3G network in Durham. If this change is likely to impact you, we’ve contacted you directly via text message or email. If you live in and regularly travel to Durham and you’re not sure whether this will impact you, please visit your local phone shop with your phone for help.
Changes to the 3G network
In line with the other mobile networks in the UK, our 3G network will be switched off at the end of 2025.
Newer technology has been developed which better suits the needs of today, and switching off the 3G network will free up capacity on the faster 4G and 5G networks.
The change will mean some older phones won’t work, and you may need to take action to make sure you can continue to call, text and use your data like you now.
How do I make sure I stay connected?
The good news is the network changes will mean we can focus on providing faster, more reliable connectivity through our 4G and 5G networks. These networks are more modern, so they’re better equipped to manage the large amount of data that we use in our everyday lives.
We’re reaching out to customers who will be impacted by the network changes to make sure everyone has the help they need. If you have any questions in the meantime, simply visit your local phone shop and we’ll be able to help.
You may also need to take action if you’re using a non-mobile device, such as tablet with a SIM card.
- Pay monthly
- Pay as you go
1. Check your phone
Once the 3G network has been switched off, you will need to be able to switch on 4G Calling to continue to use your phone, including making and receiving calls and texts and using your data.
Below you’ll find a list of compatible 4G and 5G phones. If your phone is not on this list, it means you won’t be able to access 4G Calling and you will need to change it to a phone that does.
You can also check whether your phone supports 4G Calling using our 4G Calling Checker tool.
Apple - iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, iPhone 6, 6 Plus, iPhone SE.
Samsung - Galaxy A12, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy A42, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Note20 5G, Galaxy Note20 4G, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Xcover Pro, A21s, A41, A51, A51 5G, A71, S10 Lite, Galaxy Fold 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, S10 5G, Note10, Note10 Plus 5G, S10, S10e, S10 Plus, A10, A20e, A50, A3 2017, Xcover 4s, A02, A52 5G, A42 5G, Xcover Pro, A23 5G, A52s 5G, A53 5G, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip3, Galaxy Z Flip4, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Fold5.
Sony - Xperia 5 II, Xperia 10 II, Xperia 1 II, Xperia 10 III, Xperia 1 III, Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 1 V, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10 V, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 5 V, Xperia Pro.
OnePlus - Nord, 5, 5T, 6, 6T, Nord 2, Denniz, Denniz 5G.
Doro - 8050, 6620, 6880, 8100.
Google - Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 7, 7A, 7 Pro, Pixel 6, 6A, 6 Pro, Pixel 5, Pixel 4, 4A, 4XL, Pixel 3A.
Xiaomi - Mi Mix 3 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, 12 Lite, 12T Pro, 9AT, Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi Note 12, Redmi Note 12 Pro, A2.
OPPO - Reno4 Pro 5G, A53, A15, Reno 5G, Find X2 Neo 5G, Find X2 Lite 5G, Find X2 Pro 5G, Find X2 5G, Find X3 Lite, Find X3 Neo, Find X3 Pro, Reno4 Z 5G, Reno4 5G, A9 2020, A94 5G, Reno8, Reno8 Lite, Reno8 Pro, N2 Flip, Find X5, Find X5 Lite, Find X5 Neo, Find X5 Pro, A16s, A17, A17, N2 Flip, A53, A54, A57s, A78.
Huawei - P40 Lite 5G, Mate 20 X 5G, P30, P30 Pro, P30 Pro New Edition, P40, P Smart 2021, P40 Pro.
Motorola - Razr 5G, Moto G 5G Plus, Moto G9 Play, Edge 5G, Moto G50, Moto E20, Moto E20 Pro, Moto E30, Moto G14, Moto G22, Moto G31, Moto G50, Moto G13, Moto G53, Razr 40, Sabah Lite E13.
Nokia - 8.3, G10, G20, 5.4, X20, X10, 1.4, 105, 215, 2660, 5310, 800, 8210, C21 Plus, G11.
Alcatel - 1B Prime, 3080, TCL 403.
2. Turn on 4G (VoLTE)
If you have a compatible 4G or 5G phone, you’ll need to turn on 4G Calling in your settings. This may be called something else depending on the make and model of your phone, as well as its operating system.
Find out how to turn on 4G Calling on your phone
If the instructions don’t match your device, you may also need to complete a software update on your phone.
Recycling your old phone
It’s never been easier to recycle your phone safely and responsibly. Here are two easy ways that you can recycle your old phone so that it doesn’t end up in landfill. Remember to remove any personal data first. We recommend backing-up any data you want to keep, completing a factory reset and removing any SIM or memory cards.
- Visit the Customer Service Desk at your closest Tesco Extra or Superstore – we’ll make sure it’s recycled.
- Find your nearest recycling point to dispose of it safely and responsibly.
4G Calling is not available for you just yet. We’ll let you know when you can turn this service on (as long as you have a compatible 4G or 5G phone).
To get the benefits of 4G Calling now, you’ll need to switch to pay monthly.
Frequently asked questions
2G and 3G are the second and third generations of mobile phone networks. 2G was introduced in 1991 and enabled text messages and voice calls, while 3G was introduced in 2003 and enabled basic internet connectivity.
The government announced in December 2021 that it and the mobile industry had agreed to switch off 2G and 3G networks in the UK.
In line with the Government deadline to phase out 2G and 3G technology, every UK mobile network has committed to switching off their 3G network, and most have already completed their switch-off.
As technology evolves, we’re all relying more and more on fast, reliable data to stay connected. Switching off 3G will allow Virgin Media O2, whose network we share, to continue to invest in expanding 4G and 5G coverage, to make sure all communities have fast and reliable connectivity now and in the future.
3G will be switched off at the end of 2025 in most areas of the UK.
From Wednesday 2 April, the 3G network will be switched off in Durham. The 2G network will remain on and in use until the end of the year.
We’ve contacted customers who will need to take action to stay connected in this area. If you’re not sure whether you need to do anything to stay connected, visit your local phone shop with your phone and we’ll be able to help you.
2G will be restricted – it will not be switched off completely. It’ll continue to play an important role in connecting emergency calls and supporting connected devices like smart meters.
Take a look at the list of compatible 4G or 5G phone above.
Different phones have different instructions for turning on 4G Calling (VoLTE). To find out how to turn on 4G Calling on your phone, head to our 4G Calling Phone Checker and enter your phone’s manufacturer and model to find instructions.
If you do not have a compatible 4G or 5G phone, you will not be able to connect to our 4G or 5G networks. So, after the 3G switch-off, you will not be able to make and receive calls, send and receive texts, and use data without Wi-Fi. (You’ll still be able to make emergency calls on the 2G network.)
Need to change your phone to get ready for the switch-off? We have a wide selection of compatible 4G and 5G phones to cater to different budgets and requirements.
If you have a 2G or 3G SIM, after the 3G switch-off, you’ll need to change to a 4G SIM to continue to make and receive calls, send and receive texts, and use data without Wi-Fi. And you’ll also need a compatible 4G or 5G phone.
You can order a replacement SIM in My Account (if you’re a pay monthly customer), by getting in touch with us via web chat, or by popping in-store. If you’re switching to pay monthly from pay as you go, you’ll need to do this before requesting a new SIM card.
If you’ll need a new SIM to stay connected after the switch-off, we’ll be in touch with you beforehand to let you know, and to help you order a replacement SIM.
We can help you find the phone that’s right for you. All the phones on our website and in our phone shops are compatible 4G or 5G phones, and we have a wide selection to cater to different budgets and requirements.
If you’d like to speak to one of our team about options, you can get in touch with us via web chat or by popping in-store.
4G Calling is only available for our pay monthly customers at the moment. But we’re working on making this service available for our pay as you go customers before the 3G switch-off, to make sure all our customers can continue to stay connected. If you do not want to wait, you can switch to pay monthly now. If you’re switching to pay monthly from pay as you go, you’ll need to do this before requesting a new SIM card.
3G has already been switched off in some countries. If you have a compatible 4G or 5G phone with 4G Calling turned on, there should not be any impact on your roaming experience. But if this is not the case, you may notice an impact on your roaming experience, so please check before you travel.
If your phone is barred or on hold you will need to contact us for support. You can visit your local phone shop for more information.
Most networks have already completed their 3G switch off or expected to do so by the end of 2025, so you would still need to move to a 4G or 5G phone.
Related Help
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Network Support -
Support with Wi-Fi and 4G Calling -
Problems with your phone