Switching off our 3G network

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 stay connected now and in the future.

Our 3G network will be switched off in phases in 2025. We’ll be in touch closer to the time to let you know exactly when the switch-off is happening.

This year (2024), we’re carrying out a few small switch-off trials. We’ll be in touch with customers who may be impacted before any trials in their area.

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 device guides, find your phone by selecting the manufacturer and model, then search ‘4G Calling’.

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 for every budget.

See our pay monthly phones

See our SIM free phones

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’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. 

You can check if you have a compatible 4G or 5G phone by taking a look at this list of compatible 4G and 5G phones.

If your phone is not on this list, please use our device guides to check if your phone supports 4G Calling (VoLTE). (4G Calling may be called something different on your phone. Please check our device guides for guidance.)

If your phone does not support 4G Calling, you’ll need to change to a compatible 4G or 5G phone to prepare for the 3G switch-off.

If you have a 4G or 5G data-only device like a tablet, you do not need to do anything. You can continue to use our 4G and 5G networks as usual.

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 for every budget.

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.

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 you’ve read all the information above and you’re still not sure whether you need to do anything, you can get in touch with us via web chat or by popping in-store. One of our team will be happy to help.