Virgin Media O2 will be switching off its 3G network in Watford on 17th September as part of the company’s plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for mobile customers, following successful completed switch-offs in Durham, Norwich, Telford, Guildford and Torquay.
The process will help boost the availability of mobile radio spectrum to more efficient 4G and 5G services to further improve the coverage and mobile broadband speeds of their modern networks.
It will also help customers’ experience with faster data speeds, more reliable streaming and higher quality voice calls.
The company’s 3G network which first launched more than 20 years ago today carries less than 2% of all network data – a figure which continues to fall.
The switch-off of this older technology – agreed by the Government and all mobile network operators in 2021 – allows providers like Virgin Media O2 to reallocate mobile spectrum to more efficient 4G and 5G services.
It means that customers in Watford will require at least a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data once 3G is switched off.
Customers who don’t upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off will still be able to use voice calls and send text messages as they currently do for now, but they would not be able to use mobile data.
Virgin Media O2 has upgraded 4G and 5G masts in Watford over the past year, and the company invests around £2m daily into its mobile network to meet growing demand for connectivity.
Customers of virtual network operators that use Virgin Media O2’s mobile network – such as Tesco Mobile and giffgaff – will also be impacted by the switch-off and are being contacted directly by their provider.
Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer (pictured) said: “Switching off our 3G network will enable us to focus our investment on upgrading faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient 4G and 5G networks, giving our customers a better overall experience.
“Following on from successful switch-offs in other areas, we’re now turning our attention to Watford, which will have 3G withdrawn on 17th September.”