O2 issues warning to customers as major change will stop HUNDREDS of popular phones from working - see if yours will be affected

1 week ago 6

It is the mobile network service used by millions of people around the UK.

But O2 has now issued a warning to customers ahead of a major change that will stop some phones from working.

The UK's 3G network is slowly being switched off in favour of faster, more reliable 4G and 5G.

EE and Vodafone have already switched off their networks, and now O2 is the latest company to deactivate this older system.

Customers who haven't upgraded will still be able to make calls and send text messages as normal, but won't be able to use mobile data.

O2 says that the 3G network currently carries less than two per cent of total network traffic.

That means most customers with newer devices won't notice the change, since their phones don't use the 3G network.

However, there are concerns that the switch could leave older and more vulnerable customer suddenly unable to use their phones.

O2 has issued a warning that a major change will prevent some customers from using their phones, as the company winds down its 20-year-old 3G network

Virgin Media O2's 3G network was first launched 20 years ago, but has since become outdated.

The company has already begun deactivating the network in some parts of the country, starting with Durham in April this year.

This was followed by Norwich, Telford, and Guildford, which all lost 3G connection in the following months.

Virgin Media O2 says that the next town to have its network shut down will be Torquay in August, with the rest of the UK network being entirely withdrawn by the end of the year.

This change will also affect customers of networks which use O2's 3G infrastructure, including Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, and giffgaff.

To ensure that older and vulnerable customers, who might still be using older devices, don't get left behind, Virgin Media O2 has partnered with the charity Age UK.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, says: 'While we know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G handset and do not need to take any action, our priority has always been to support the minority who may be impacted.

'Given that many of these customers are likely to be older and potentially less tech-savvy, it makes perfect sense to partner with Age UK as we carry out this migration.'

Amid concerns that the changeover might leave elderly and vulnerable customers unable to use their phones, the company has partnered with Age UK to provide additional support (stock image)

Age UK will provide additional support for the older customers who will need to upgrade their phones to keep accessing mobile data.

The charity will provide information on its website and social media channels and via its Advice Line.

Customers with an old, unwanted handset are encouraged to recycle it through O2 recycle, which could offer them cash in exchange for their old phone.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK, says: 'The 3G switch-off may feel daunting for many older people so it’s important that we do all we can to support those affected.

'It’s important to note that for those using a 3G network who don’t wish to change their handset, for now they will still be able to make phone calls and send texts as they do today – it’s just their mobile data this change will affect.'

Full list of devices affected by O2's 3G switch-off

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

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

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