Mobile operator Three UK (VodafoneThree), which at the start of 2025 confirmed (here) that the “vast majority” of their 3G sites had now been switched off – save for a “small number” of sites were still live to avoid customers losing service, have now confirmed that those remaining sites were finally switched off at the end of November 2025.
The removal of 3G has freed up some radio spectrum that can be re-farmed for use by modern 4G and 5G (mobile broadband) services, which could boost network performance and coverage. On top of that, operators are benefitting from some big cost and energy savings due to not having to cater for the old network.
NOTE: The UK government and all major mobile operators have jointly agreed to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 (here).
All of the primary mobile network operators, except O2, have now switched off their 3G services and O2 is set to reach the same stage by the end of this year (they’re currently doing Scotland). The operators are now starting to focus on the 2G switch-off, which will take longer for O2 as they have to maintain some of it until Energy Smart Meters have been upgraded to use the new 4G Communications Hub (modem); this will take a few years.
VodafoneThree Statement
Of Three’s 16,000 network masts, only 3,000 were 3G-only. These were not only upgraded to 4G and 5G; the software of many were also upgraded with Multi-Operator Core Network technology. This enables Vodafone customers to use their signal – a key initial phase of VodafoneThree’s plan to build the UK’s best network.
All this work was methodically undertaken in tandem with changes to Three’s core network. This ensured, for example, that there was no disruption in service for customers of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that use Three’s network (such as SMARTY) or for foreign visitors to the UK roaming on Three’s network.
