EE mobile network to phase out 3G connectivity

From January 2024, 3G technology will start being retired across the EE mobile network. For many this will be a landmark moment, representing an exciting upgrade for the UK as it embraces modern mobile networks which offer faster, more reliable, and more widespread connectivity.

3G has already been switched off in many countries around the world. Doing it here will help strengthen the performance of 4G and 5G across the country, so more customers get a superior mobile experience in more places, more of the time.

Having first announced their intention to close our 3G network back in 2018, and reaffirmed it as part of an industry-wide commitment to the UK Government in 2021, EE have spent this time liaising closely with Ofcom, working with their charity partners like AbilityNet to provide digital skills training and create helpful resources, as well as conducting a successful 3G trial in Warrington to help ensure they get their approach for the nationwide switch off right.

It is no surprise then that the use of 3G across the EE network continues to fall to record low levels; responsible for less than 0.4% of all downloaded data. According to Ofcom, EE customers only spend 2.7% of their time connected to 3G, which is the lowest amount of time of any UK mobile operator.

There are two major reasons why these numbers are so small. First, they have built the largest and most widespread 4G network in the UK. EE have also spent the last three years expanding it to a further 1,500 rural communities, including some of the most remote parts of the UK, to ensure more people than ever have access to the most reliable mobile technology available today. And secondly, most customers have already left 3G behind and successfully moved to 4G or 5G.

For the small minority who still use a 3G-only phone or data plan, EE recognise this is a period of change. They are committed to ensuring all of them, especially vulnerable customers, have the support available to help them make the transition successfully if they want to.

As well as being the only UK mobile operator to offer all vulnerable customers a free 4G-ready mobile phone (or a big discount on a pay monthly plan for those who want to choose their own handset), they have also set up a dedicated freephone line where they can call EE 3G support team to talk through their individual needs and get help with migrating.

It is also important to remember that some customers have no desire or need to use mobile data. These people, if they decide not to transition to a more modern mobile network, will not be impacted by the retirement of 3G as our 2G network, which like the 4G one already covers 99% of the UK population, is remaining for voice calls and texts.

999 calls are also not reliant on 3G being available, with EE customers still able to call the emergency services as they do today by using their 2G network or Wi-Fi Calling. In an emergency, 999 calls will also automatically roam onto any available mobile network to connect.

When 3G launched in the early 2000s, Tony Blair was Prime minister, Gareth Gates was topping the music charts, and the Nokia 1100 was the best-selling mobile phone. There was no iPhone, no Netflix, no Spotify, no Zoom, no WhatsApp or videocalls on the move, and no cloud gaming.

3G was built to serve a different world than the one we live in today. Couple that with the need to deliver the best mobile experiences in a more sustainable way, while reusing finite network spectrum, and the time has come to embrace a new era of mobile technology.

You can learn more by visiting www.ee.co.uk/3g-switch-off.