Virgin Media O2 begins switching off one of its mobile services this month, which could leave some customers with no data access.

The UK's major mobile providers, including EE and Vodafone, have gradually been axing all 3G services over the past few years.

Virgin Media O2 will now become the latest provider to switch off its 3G network so it can focus on the "faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient" 4G and 5G networks.

It's 3G network switch off begins in April, with the city of Durham the first area affected.

Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, said: “Switching off 3G will be an important milestone in the evolution of our network, enabling us to focus our attention and investment on faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will deliver improved services for our customers.

“By starting in just one location and by putting careful monitoring in place, we’ll minimise disruption to customers and ensure the success of this essential modernisation programme.

“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.”

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The switch-off is also set to impact other mobile providers which use Virgin Media O2's network, including:

  • Giffgaff
  • Sky Mobile
  • Tesco Mobile

"You'll struggle to do even the basics": Virgin Media O2 customers with 3G devices warned to switch

Any customers who don’t upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off in their area will still be able to use voice calls and send text messages as they do now, but they would not be able to use mobile data.

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert (MSE) urged those Virgin Media O2 customers with phones or sims that only support 3G to make the switch to 4G or 5G devices urgently or be left with no internet.

MSE explained: "If you have a phone or Sim that only supports 3G, you'll effectively no longer be able to use the internet once it's fully switched off by your provider – you'll still technically be able to connect to the internet, but you'll struggle to do even basic tasks.  

"You’ll still be able to make calls and send text messages over 2G, though the quality of the call will likely be a lot worse than it was on the 3G network."

Virgin Media O2's 3G network switch-off begins this month.Virgin Media O2's 3G network switch-off begins this month. (Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire) The 3G switch-off will only impact those customers with older devices and sim cards, ones that are unable to connect to the newer 4G or 5G networks.

Devices affected by Virgin Media O2's 3G switch off

If you are unsure whether or not your device will lose data access when Virgin Media O2's 3G network is switched off in April, don't worry; there is a way to check.

Visit the Virgin Media O2 website and look at its list of devices that are not compatible with 4G and WiFi Calling.

If your phone/sim is on that list, you will be impacted by the switch-off and will need to change devices before it happens.

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Devices on the list include:

Apple iPhone​

  • iPhone 1 Generation
  • iPhone 3G
  • iPhone 3GS
  • iPhone 4
  • iPhone 5S​

Samsung​

  • ​Samsung ZV60
  • Samsung Binou
  • Samsung GT-C3592
  • Samsung BEAT S
  • Samsung Galaxy Fame
  • Samsung SLIDER
  • Samsung Galaxy Ace 3​​

Sony​

  • Sony Ericsson WT13I
  • Sony Ericsson W705
  • Sony Xperia Z2
  • Sony Xperia E​​

LG​

  • LG Calisto
  • LG Pop
  • LG Prada
  • LG New Chocolate
  • LG G1600​​

Google​

  • Google Galaxy Nexus
  • Google Nexus ONE​​​

Motorola​

  • Motorola MOTO E
  • Motorola EM30
  • Motorola Motokey Social
  • Motorola C118V​​

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Nokia​

  • Nokia 220
  • Nokia 106.1
  • Nokia Lumia 925
  • Nokia 2330 Classic​

For the full list of devices affected or any further information about Virgin Media O2's 3G network switch-off, visit its website (a link to which can be found above).