Vodafone is set to switch off its 3G in Gloucester in the coming weeks as the mobile network aims to strengthen 4G and 5G signals in the city. The move means mobile phones that are only designed for 2G or 3G networks and no later generation, may not be able to make phone calls, send messages or upload data in the areas where it's been turned off.
The latest phase to shut down 3G in Gloucester and Southern England follows 3G switch-offs in other UK cities such as Basingstoke, Hull, Oxford and Plymouth, with the remainder of the UK following by the end of February 2024. Vodafone says the switch-off means the radio spectrum currently allocated for 3G can be used to strengthen 4G and 5G services further across the UK.
Vodafone’s 2G network, which currently covers more than 99 per cent of the UK population, will remain for calls, texts and a number of IoT services for the time being, alongside services such as 4G Calling which uses the 4G network to make and receive calls.
Vodafone and other UK mobile network operators have confirmed to the Government that they do not intend to offer 2G or 3G mobile networks past 2033. The move comes after a customer awareness campaign started in January 2022 and included Vodafone notifying customers who may be affected by the switch off, offering information and advice such as how to check if a mobile device is 4G-capable and how to carry out software upgrades where required.
Vodafone’s UK Chief Network Officer, Andrea Dona, said: "Our 3G switch-off programme has gone extremely well so far. As a result of our ongoing network improvements, data traffic has declined over the last few years with less than 2 pe rcent of the data used on our network being on 3G. This means we can start to redeploy its remaining spectrum to our 4G and 5G services, ultimately leading to stronger and faster coverage for more parts of the UK. Good news for both our customers but also the wider UK economy.
"At the same time, with modern networks being much more energy efficient, its retirement is also an important step forward for us reaching Net Zero for our UK operation by 2027. As we continue to focus on building our reliable award-winning network, now really is the time to say goodbye to 3G."
More information about the Vodafone 3G switch off programme can be found online or by calling 191 from their Vodafone phone or by visiting their local Vodafone store. A full guide to the 3G and 2G switch-off can be found on Ofcom's website