EE confirms important deadline that will leave some needing a new smartphone

20 September 2023 , 06:30

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If you're on EE it might be time to think about getting a new phone

EE customers with older smartphones will be forced to upgrade their devices next year, following a major UK-wide switch off of 3G services.

That's because BT—which owns EE—has announced plans to begin shutting off its 3G services from January 2024, joining the likes of Virgin Media O2, Vodafone, and other UK mobile carriers.

The communications giant says that, following trials in the northwest this summer, all customers who are registered as vulnerable will be offered a 4G-ready phone for free or be given the option of paying for a discounted monthly plan.

READ MORE: Millions of older phones will lose Internet access as new deadline confirmed - are you affected?

If you've got an older device and only want to make calls, send texts, or browse the web using Wi-Fi, you won't have to do anything as the old 2G network is going to remain in place.

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BT is shutting off its 3G services across the UK - that includes EE

BT originally planned to shut down 3G coverage by this year, but a spokesperson told The Register: "Our plan has always been to move customers off the 3G networking during 2023 (i.e. phase out customer reliance on the network) before we start the nationwide 3G network switch off in early 2024."

The firm has already begun reaching out to vulnerable customers still reliant on 3G. One document explains: "Mobile operators, both in the UK and around the world, have already begun retiring 3G. The technology is more than 20 years old, pre-dating the demands of the online world, and is prone to faults.

"In a time when we are all using resources with care, mobile operators can use the old 3G airwaves to run mobile networks more than ten times more efficiently on 4G or 5G."

BT then advises that those with a 4G or 5G smartphone using a 3G SIM or monthly plan will need to upgrade their contract in order to keep using the Internet or apps.

For those customers who feel they need to register as vulnerable, such as if you're sick, disabled, or in receipt of benefits, you can fill in this form. It may even entitle you to a cheaper 'social tariff' which gets you all the same mobile services at a discount price.

Customers of other mobile networks have a little longer to get prepared for the switchoff. Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "We will begin to switch off 3G in 2025, but between now and then, we will be communicating directly with our customers to explain what this means for them and outline any steps they should take in the next 18 months.

"While most customers will need to take no action at all, we are committed to supporting everyone with this necessary transition."

Ciaran Daly