Big network provider set to AXE service in weeks ahead of country-wide change
A MAJOR network provider is set to start axing a key service within weeks ahead of a country-wide roll out.
BT will start contacting its EE business customers “in the coming months” encouraging them to ditch 2G.
The network said it would be asking them to sign up to quicker 4G and 5G plans.
This comes ahead of BT officially closing its 2G network by 2030.
In a note to customers, Howard Watson, chief security and networks officer for BT Group and Kerry Small, chief operating officer for BT Business, said: “Mobile connectivity has come a long way since the early 1990s when the UK launched its first 2G network.
“It was a time long before the first smartphone was invented, before the Premier League launched, and even before the first SMS text message was sent.
“But it is a world apart from what we, as a society, now demand from our digital communications.
“Today, just 0.1% of all data on our entire EE mobile network is carried over 2G.”
The UK government and all major mobile operators have already agreed to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033.
The switch off will reduce networks’ costs and free up space for better 4G and 5G services as well as future 6G services.
EE in fact switched off its 3G network in February last year, meaning those with older phones would have seen their internet drop out.
However, its 2G network has not yet been closed as 2G signals can be used as backups in the case of 4G or 5G networks faltering.
Plus, 2G provides voice and text services in rural areas and non-mobile phone devices like energy smart meters rely on it to transmit data.
Who is affected by the 2G network switch off?
Any EE customers with a phone that has 2G capability on it will see their internet cut off when the network officially closes it at the end of the decade.
Those with 4G or 5G on their devices will not.
It’s worth bearing in mind, even if you have a phone with 2G enabled, you should still be able to use Wi-Fi to access the internet after the switch off.
Ofcom estimated in 2023 that there were over 2.3million devices in use that rely on both 2G and 3G, down from 5.5million in 2022.
It is likely this number will fall again in the future as people with older handsets upgrade.
The major networks, beyond EE, have not given a timeline for when they will cut off their 2G networks.
However, a number have already ditched 3G, including EE, Vodafone and Three.
Virgin Media O2 plans to close its 3G network this year, with Durham the first area to lose service in April.
Other mobile providers like Lebara, Sky Mobile and Asda Mobile piggyback off networks built by larger operators.
Their 2G and 3G switch-off timelines will depend on what network they use.
If you have an older 2G or 3G network mobile and are worried about losing internet on your device, contact your provider to see what help is on offer.
For example, Virgin Media O2 is contacting known vulnerable customers offering them a 4G-ready device for free ahead of switching off its 3G network.
All other customers who don’t currently have a 4G handset or SIM will be offered a new device at a reduced price.
How to save money on mobile costs
Consumer reporter Sam Walker reveals four top tips for reducing the cost of your mobile phone bill.
- You can often save hundreds of pounds by buying a phone outright rather than stretching the cost across your contract term.
- Consider choosing a deal outside of the four biggest networks like EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. They are usually at the more expensive end of the market, particularly for low data packages.
- If your contract is up for renewal, shop around for the best deals to see if you can get a cheaper one than your current provider is offering. If you can, try haggling with the provider for a better bundle.
- Mobile phone users who travel abroad a lot should choose their provider carefully. Some firms will charge you extra to roam while others, like Asda Mobile and Lebara, don’t.
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