We’ve received an email today from tesco Mobile regarding the 3G switch-off which is happening this year.
In a nutshell you need a compatible phone that supports 4g calling, i.e. VoLTE. They provide links to a checker where you select the phone make and model or alternatively enter the IMEI number.
My wife and I have Oppo phones, a FindX3 Lite and a FindX5 Lite. I also have a Google Pixel 6a phone which I use on holiday due to its eSim capability.
The Oppo phones are not listed and entering the IMEI number states that the phones are not compatible with 4g calling despite the phones having these settings in their menus. From everyting I can find these phones support 4g calling. The Google Pixel 6a is deemed compatible.
After doing some research it appears that the network provider has to enable this feature as well. I’m starting to wonder if there is a ploy to try to sell phones that don’t need to be replaced or am I worrying unnecessrily?
I’ve check the phones when making a call and the 4g symbol vanishes which suggests that currently the phone is not running on 4g calling.
Assuming you’ve never done this, you will need to adjust the phone settings to work on 4g.
According to a search, the find x3 lite supports 5g.
Start here
The Pixel 6a I have have has an Asda PAYG SIM in it. I use the phone for travel using an e-Sim and the PAYG sim is just there so the phone has a UK number. I use the e-Sim on ships when at sea to avoid extortionate WiFi costs.
Asda use Vodafone who have completed the switch off of 3g so I have tested the sim in both Oppo’s and also our daughter’s Honor Magic 5 Lie and they all work on 4g and Wifi calling. This is despite Tesco’s website stating that the phones are not compatible when I enter the IMEI number in.
I’m therefore making the assumption that they will all work as they clearly work on th Vodafone network.e
Interestingly my Oppo, the Find X5 Lite and the Honor phone have no way to enable 4g calling, it seems that this is a default setting that cannot be changed so the option is not present.
I have a nearby neighbour “ more senior “ was panicking because he got messages from his network telling him that the phone he had would no longer work.
He went a bought a new phone but was overwhelmed and confused about changing over.
I asked to see his old phone and called the number he got the message from.
Got a pleasant lady that explained his phone is an older Sony that uses 3G for internet I explained he’s never used internet and only wants to call or text.
She said that’s not a problem it’s just that his internet won’t work anymore.
He’s delighted now with the phone he knows and took the other one back and delighted he doesn’t have to change his number.
Tesco mobile iirc, uses the O2 network.
To make calls you use the mobile phone network.
Only if you wish to use mobile data when on the move, does 3g, 4g or indeed 5g come into play.
Admittedly on an iphone, but I rarely have mobile data - 4g usually, switched on.
I just get a download of mail, when next at home or anywhere connected to wifi.
Phone calls all work with data switched off.
If you only wish to make calls, your handsets should continue to function as before.
edit - two other points worth noting - 3g was used by the likes of O2 and Vodaphone when connecting to boost boxes, before wifi calling was introduced. Text and calls worked well. The intro of good wifi calling has been of enormous benefit to those of us with v. poor mobile signal when at home. Imho, only the most recent of handsets do text and calls very well, earlier models not so reliably. All of this is of benefit for 2FA (the authentication).
I use my iPhone without 3G or 4G I only use the apps functions etc when on wi fi.
The networks only shows if I switch on mobile data.
I don’t use it.
I can call or text no problem without mobile data.
If you have an older device, it will need to be replaced
If you’re using an older device that doesn’t allow you to use 4G or 5G, you’ll need to get a new one to continue to access your mobile data. Again, your provider will tell you if that’s the case, so look out for any messages they send to you. They should give you lots of notice so you have time to find the right device for you.
If you’re worried that you won’t be able to afford a new device, tell your provider. They might be able to offer additional support and help with identifying affordable options.
Customers using the EE and Vodafone networks with an older device are still able to make calls and send text messages after 3G switch-off. These services can use the 2G network, which isn’t being switched off yet. But the 2G network was not designed to work for accessing data services, so customers with older devices will no longer be able to access most of their mobile data services after 3G switch-off (although where older devices can connect to Wi-Fi, customers can still use this to access data services).
Three doesn’t have a 2G network, so if you’re using the Three network and have an older device that doesn’t allow you to use 4G or 5G, you’ll need to replace it to make sure you can continue to make calls, send text messages and access mobile data after 3G is switched off.
Check in with any friends and family that you think might be affected by the changes too, to see if they need help in understanding what they need to do.
*edit - Ofcom suggest O2 is off 3g in 2025, some other networks have already done so! Early 2030s for 2g switch off it seems!
Prompted by the 3G switch-off thread just started, I am moved to enquire whether anyone knows about this.
My robot lawnmower communicates with an app on my smartphone, alerting to any problems, and allowing check of status, setting up of mower schedule, etc. I didn’t understand how it communicated as it is not logged into wifi, and there is no subscription of a simcard, or anything else of which I was aware - until I received an email from Bosch, the robot manufacturer:
As you may already be aware, several mobile network providers are going to switch off their 2G networks by the end of 2025. Your connected Indego model uses these 2G networks to communicate with the app.
Communication with your Indego will no longer be possible without an available 2G network.
Yet, it is still possible to operate the mower via the display. User satisfaction is our top priority. We’ve therefore proactively developed a technical solution to ensure the continued connectivity of affected products.
I am awaiting advice as to when and how to arrange for modification (which apparently will be free of charge).
Just out of interest, anyone else caught by this, whether or not previously aware of 2G being used!
@Richard.Dane, could you please merge this with the 3G Switchoff -Tesco Mobile thread, perhaps, if @trickydickie is happy with the change, renaming to 3G & 2G Switch-off.
