Overview
- Virgin Media O2 says only a few locations may still show a 3G signal briefly in early 2026 before the network is switched off nationwide.
- Customers using 3G-only phones will keep calling and texting but will lose mobile data once the shutdown reaches their area.
- The operator has contacted affected users directly and is offering discounted replacement phones, with free upgrades for vulnerable customers.
- 3G now accounts for about 2% of O2’s mobile data usage, and most subscribers, including those on giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile, already use 4G or 5G devices.
- Reclaimed spectrum will bolster 4G and 5G capacity and reliability, and other major UK networks such as Vodafone, EE and Three have already ended 3G services.