11 January 2025 , 07:41
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Millions of Brits could find their mobile phones cut off from the internet very soon.
O2 is gearing up to switch off its 3G service later this year, leaving older handsets without web access.
The change will also affect other operators that use the same network, including Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff and Sky Mobile.
Three, Vodafone and EE have already made the move.
Announcing the change, O2 said: ‘3G has been superseded by 4G and 5G networks over recent years, with the 3G network carrying less and less traffic.
‘By focusing our investment on 4G and 5G, we’ll be able to further expand and upgrade services.
‘And it means you’ll be able to benefit from quicker download speeds and higher quality voice calls.’
The network provider adds on its website that ‘nothing will change for you right now’ and customers will be contacted with more information closer to the time.
Check if your phone is affected
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 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
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, explained the switch-off is a ‘crucial step to free up capacity for expanding 4G and 5G networks’.
‘While the majority of customers do have a 4G or 5G compatible phone, there will still be a proportion of customers with older devices who will need to upgrade this year,’ he said.
‘If you do need to upgrade, there are plenty of affordable options out there, and it may be worth looking into a refurbished device if you’re not looking for the latest launches and don’t want a costly upgrade.’