Mobile network shutdown to hit customers – check if you are affected

Mobile phone customers are in danger of being “cut off from day-to-day life” after a major network announced it would shut down some of its services.

O2 is in the process of turning off its 3G signal, which it said will take place in stages over the course of the year. Customers in Durham will be the first to witness the changes as the plug will be pulled on 3G services from April.

Customers on GiffGaff, Sky Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile and Lyca Mobile will also be affected by the shutdown as they piggyback off O2’s network.

The switch-off will affect those using older phones and smartphones, a full list of which is available below, and O2 said it was in touch with certain customers on what course of action they need to take.

For those 3G customers it identified as “vulnerable”, the network is providing 4G-ready devices free of charge, while others who don’t currently have a 4G handset or SIM will be offered a new device at a low cost.

O2 customers in Durham who do not replace their phones before 3G is switched off will still be able to make voice calls and send text messages, but not use data.

In addition, O2 assured customers they would still be able to contact the emergency services using 3G, adding: “All network operators take necessary measures to ensure their continuity.”

One industry expert said that the impact of the 3G switch-off to customers in Durham should not be underestimated and that a viable plan to support them was needed.

Elizabeth Anderson, the chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said: “For many low income households still using older devices, 3G is their primary way of accessing essential online services – from healthcare and education to job applications and vital communication tools. 

“Without mobile data, people risk being cut off from modern day to day life. This is especially concerning in the North East, the most digitally deprived region in England, where lack of access could deepen existing inequalities.”

She added: “As the UK moves towards a 5G future, addressing digital exclusion must be a priority. We need a co-ordinated effort from network providers and policymakers to ensure everyone stays connected and that no one is left behind.”

Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s chief technology officer, said: “While the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not be impacted, our priority is to provide support to those who need it. 

“That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G-ready device, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to help them prepare. We will continue to support our customers as we complete the switch-off of our 3G network.”

The switch-off is part of an industry-wide initiative to focus more on providing faster 4G and 5G services, given the growing popularity of smartphones and mobile web browsing.

According to comparison site Uswitch, 98% of 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK owned a smartphone in 2023 (the latest year for which data was available), compared to 86% of 55 to 64-year-olds and 80% aged 65 and above. 

In a joint statement with the Government released in 2021, the big four networks – O2, EE, Vodafone and Three – announced plans to switch off both 2G and 3G signals by no later than 2033. 

O2 is the last of the big four networks to turn off 3G after the other three completed their switch-off process over the past few years. In addition, it released a list of devices that will not work following the 3G switch-off.

Affected devices

iPhone​

Apple iPhone 1 Generation, Apple iPhone 3G, Apple iPhone 3GS, Apple iPhone 4, Apple iPhone 4S, Apple iPhone 5, Apple iPhone 5C, Apple iPhone 5S​

Samsung​

Samsung ZV60, Samsung Binou, Samsung GT-C3592, Samsung SGH-X830, Samsung BEAT S, Samsung Galaxy Fame, Samsung SGH-E630, Samsung SGH-J600, Samsung SLIDER, Samsung BEAT DJ, Samsung Armani, Samsung Marvel, Samsung Galaxy Ace Style, Samsung GT-E2100B, Samsung SGH-F110, Samsung Galaxy Ace 3​

​Sony​

Sony Ericsson WT13I, Sony Ericsson W705, Sony Ericsson Rachael, Sony Ericsson T650I, Sony Ericsson VIVAZ PRO, Sony Ericsson W715, Sony Xperia M2, Sony Ericsson W700I, Sony Ericsson W580C, Sony Ericsson W760I, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia L, Sony Xperia E​

Oneplus​

Oneplus One, Oneplus 2, Oneplus X​

LG​

LG Calisto, LG Pop, LG Prada, LG Town, LG Cookie Lite, LG A140, LG A133, LG G5400, LG Viewty Smart, LG KF600, LG KF700, LG Optimus Chat, LG L40, LG KE500, LG L343I, LG X Screen, LG KF310, LG New Chocolate, LG KG130, LG G1600​

Doro​

Doro 6620, Doro 1380, Doro 2404, Doro 6521, Doro 6040, Doro PRIMO 805, Doro 1370, Doro PHONEEASY 612, Doro 6520, Doro 6530, Doro PRIMO 401, Doro 2424, Doro 6051, Doro LIBERTO 810​

Google​

Google Galaxy Nexus, Google Nexus 4, Google Nexus S, Google ONE M8 Google PLAY EDITION, Google Nexus 5, Google Nexus 7, Google Nexus ONE​

Xiaomi​

Xiaomi MI A1, Xiaomi MI 3, Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Pro, Xiaomi MI 5C, Xiaomi Redmi, Xiaomi Redmi 1S, Xiaomi MI 1S, Xiaomi MI 4 LTE​

OPPO

OPPO N1T, R7 Plus F, Find 7 Mini, A113K, R7, Find 7A, Joy,  R7 Plus, R7S, 1107, A125​

Huawei​

Huawei U8660, Huawei Honor 6X, Huawei Ascend G620S, Huawei G7300, Huawei Ideos X1, Huawei Honor 7, Huawei HONOR G Play, Huawei P8, Huawei U8850, Huawei Ascend G7, Huawei U5110, Huawei Ascend Y300, Huawei Honor, Huawei Sonic, Huawei Honor 5X, Huawei Ascend G510, Huawei Ascend P6​

Motorola​

Motorola MOTO E, Motorola EM30, Motorola Motokey Social, Motorola Flipout, Motorola Rokr E8, Motorola WX160, Motorola Razr2 V8, Motorola MOTOLUXE, Motorola V171, Motorola T722I, Motorola RAZR I, Motorola E365, Motorola ES405B, Motorola M930, Motorola Z6, Motorola EX211, Motorola M3588, Motorola STARTAC 130, Motorola V975, Motorola C118V​

Nokia​

Nokia 220, Nokia 106.1, Nokia C2-01, Nokia Lumia 925, Nokia 110, Nokia 5140, Nokia 3000, Nokia Lumia 735, Nokia 216, Nokia Asha 201, Nokia Lumia 610, Nokia 106, Nokia 7200, Nokia 6310I, Nokia 6500 Classic, Nokia C3-01I, Nokia E5-00, Nokia 8890, Nokia 105, Nokia 6700 Classic, Nokia 6310, Nokia 3.1 PLUS, Nokia 6301, Nokia C6-01, Nokia 8250, Nokia 105 2022, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2330 Classic​

Alcatel​

Alcatel One Touch 990, Alcatel One Touch 255, Alcatel One Touch 710, Alcatel 2003, Alcatel One Touch 665, Alcatel One Touch 1046G, Alcatel One Touch 660, Alcatel One Touch PIXI 3 (4.5), Alcatel 2051X, Alcatel 1030X, Alcatel 1068, Alcatel One Touch 2000X, Alcatel One Touch Idol 3 4.7, Alcatel X230D, Alcatel 1060, Alcatel One Touch POP C1, Alcatel One Touch 2005X, Alcatel One Touch 322, Alcatel 3025, Alcatel 1C, Alcatel 3C, Alcatel 2057, Alcatel One Touch 810F, Alcatel One Touch Xtra, Alcatel A3 Plus, Alcatel One Touch 2045, Alcatel OT-E227, Alcatel One Touch 1013X, Alcatel One Touch 209, Alcatel One Touch 232, Alcatel One Touch 363, Alcatel One Touch Tpop​