Concerns have been raised by Uswitch.com (Image: Getty)
As many as 4.3 million people with older mobile phones face losing access to the web when 3G signals are turned off this year.
Concerns have been raised by Uswitch.com who point out that O2, whose network is used by a number of mobile brands, is set to become the final UK provider to switch off its 3G service.
It said millions of customers of O2, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Virgin and GiffGaff customers may lose mobile data services this year.
Vodafone, Three, and EE have already completed the switch-off of their 3G networks in favour of concentrating on higher speed 4G and 5G networks.
According to research by Uswitch.com, almost 3 million O2, Tesco Mobile, Giffgaff, Virgin and Sky Mobile customers don’t know if their phone is 4G or 5G ready, and more than 1.3 million say they still use a 3G handset.
Uswitch said: “This means over 4m consumers could lose access to mobile data if they don’t upgrade their devices or take the steps recommended by their providers.”
The switch-off won’t impact most mobile customers, as the majority already use 4G or 5G-enabled devices and will experience no disruption to their service.
The 3G switch-off primarily impacts internet access for users with older devices or services. However, calls and texts will remain available on all mobile phones.
Over the coming months, O2 and the providers using its network will be in touch with affected customers to provide additional support to customers who need it.
Ernest Doku, telecoms expert at Uswitch.com, said: “The 3G switch-off, which began last year, is a crucial step to free up capacity for expanding 4G and 5G networks, offering significantly faster and more reliable connectivity than 3G.
“While the majority of customers do have a 4G or 5G compatible phone, there will still be a proportion of customers with older devices who will need to upgrade this year.
Vodafone, Three, and EE have already completed the switch-off of their 3G networks (Image: Getty)
“If you’re still using an older phone, you can check your device’s 4G and 5G compatibility by looking for ‘Network Mode’ or ‘Preferred Network’ under ‘Network’ or ‘Mobile Data’ in your Settings. If you see 4G or 5G, your phone is compatible.
“If you do need to upgrade, there are plenty of affordable options out there, and it may be worth looking into a refurbished device if you’re not looking for the latest launches and don’t want a costly upgrade.
“It’s also worth running a coverage check for your area – Ofcom has one on its website – especially if you live rurally and have previously relied on 3G. Most of the country has strong 4G or 5G coverage, but it’s always a good idea to check which networks have the best coverage in the places you frequent most.”
He added: “The 3G switch-off is an important step in moving us towards a faster and more reliable service, but consumers must be fully aware of their network plans and how it might impact their device.”