O2 to switch off 3G service in 2026, customers warned

O2 has announced plans to retire its 3G network and says about 2% of its mobile data still uses 3G; the company reports remaining 3G coverage will be withdrawn as spectrum is reallocated to 4G and 5G.

O2 has announced plans to shut down its 3G mobile network as it concentrates on 4G and 5G. The company said 3G is now outdated and that about two percent of its mobile data traffic still uses 3G. The shutdown will affect customers who rely on 3G-only handsets. O2 indicated that remaining 3G coverage will be withdrawn shortly and that some 3G signals may persist briefly into early 2026. Key points: - O2 plans to retire its 3G network and focus its resources on 4G and 5G services. - The company reports that about 2% of its mobile data traffic currently uses 3G. - Customers who use 3G-only handsets are the group expected to be affected, and O2 says affected customers have been contacted about upgrade options. - Decommissioning 3G will allow O2 to reallocate radio spectrum to enhance 4G and 5G coverage and speeds. - Other UK operators including Vodafone, EE and Three have already phased out 3G, and O2 carried out extensive testing through 2025 to support the transition. Summary: The change will remove 3G service for users of 3G-only devices and is intended to free spectrum to expand 4G and 5G capacity. O2 says remaining 3G coverage will be withdrawn shortly and that the network is expected to be fully shut down in early 2026, with some signals possibly persisting briefly.