The UK government has announced the switch-off of all public 2G and 3G networks by 2033. This decision has been made after consultation with the UK’s major mobile network providers including EE, O2, Vodaphone and Three. Many are already announcing their plans to shut down 2G and 3G services well ahead of this date in order to free up the spectrum for 5G services.
In light of these big changes, there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding why this is happening now, what it means for customers and what they can do. That’s where we come in, sharing everything you need to know about the mobile network switch-off…
Why are 2G and 3G being switched off?
In the past 2G and 3G frequencies were key innovations when first introduced. However, as technology has advanced to 4G and 5G, these lower frequencies are no longer being used.
Closing these will free up space within the UK’s telecoms supply chain (the internet space we operate in). As a result, there will be more opportunities for the implementation of the 5G network around the country.
This is essential as the Internet is becoming increasingly vital in our lives through online banking, communication, working and more. Information is constantly being exchanged, used and hosted online. Therefore, there is constant pressure to improve for users in the UK, ensuring that the public has easy access to high-speed internet at all times.
What does this mean for customers and their mobile phones?
Although 3G usage has been in decline for many years and 2G coverage is rarely used, some users may still need to upgrade to 5g phones in order to avoid losing connection.
Older phones may not be able to function if they cannot access 4G and 5G signals and this means technology such as security cameras are likely to need to be upgraded too. The £1 billion initiative UK’s shared Rural Network project will look to upgrade rural areas which would normally have no access to 4G and 5G. This means that people in these areas may also need to invest in smartphones.
This switch brings a whole host of benefits to customers, including more reliable connectivity, higher internet speeds and faster download speeds. Several phone networks that are upgrading their networks early are also setting up customer communication plans to ensure customers stay up to date as older networks are phased out.
Boost your connection with Gemini
We can advise on the best mobile packages, recommending those which are set to switch to just 4G and 5G within the next couple of years so you can experience the benefits first. For faster and more secure internet, browse our Mobile Packages today.
Why not strengthen your connectivity further, we can help you with your broadband too. Gemini doesn’t just use one provider, we will check your speed against every broadband available and whatever your requirements, we will advise you on the best product to meet your needs. Visit our Broadband and Data Connectivity page today.