It ushered an era of super-fast communications, letting us access the internet on the go for the best part of 20 years.
But the days of 3G appear to be numbered, as one of the UK’s biggest mobile operators has finally ended the service.
Vodafone has switched off its 3G network so it can invest more money in 4G and 5G, which the majority of its customers now use.
However, it means Vodafone customers with old 3G smartphones that don’t support 4G or 5G – such as the iPhone 5 and older – will have to buy a new phone.
Here’s how to see if you’ll be affected by the change.
Vodafone’s decision to switch off 3G means its customers with old phones that don’t support 4G or 5G – such as the iPhone 5 (pictured) or older – will have to buy a new device
Vodafone reassures that the vast majority of smartphones will not be affected as they run on 4G or 5G.
However, models that run on 3G include the iPhone 5 and earlier and Samsung Galaxy S4 and earlier.
Users of these models will have to upgrade to a newer device if they want to keep accessing internet on the go, although they’ll still be able to make and receive calls and texts.
Vodafone announced its national 3G shutdown at the beginning of 2022 before it progressed in stages from June last year.
It claims the switch-off – which was finally completed this week – will let the firm become more energy efficient and focus on its 4G and 5G networks.
‘Our focus remains to continue to build the UK’s most reliable mobile network and to continue to do this, we need to ensure our technologies are fit for purpose,’ said Andrea Dona, Vodafone’s UK network director.
‘Now is the time to say goodbye to 3G and focus on the current benefits and future possibilities of our 4G and 5G networks.’
Mr Dona said Vodafone’s 4G and 5G network will get ‘stronger and faster’ from the repurposing of 3G spectrum – the invisible radio frequencies that wireless signals travel over.
A move away from 3G will also reduce the firm’s environmental impact, as modern 5G networks are more than 10 times as energy efficient as old 3G equipment.
The retirement of Vodafone’s 3G network is also ‘an important part’ of its aim to reach net zero for its UK operation by 2027.
Vodafone has switched off its 3G network, which means many users of feature phones will have to upgrade to modern devices (stock image)
By retiring 3G, Vodafone will be able to repurpose 3G bandwidth, meaning that its 4G and 5G networks will get a speed and capacity boost, so customers will be able to enjoy a better connection
Net zero – a term bandied about by many firms to tout their eco credentials – refers to the balance between the amount of greenhouse gas it produces and removes from the atmosphere.
Sending a terabyte of data across the 5G network uses seven per cent of the energy used to send the same amount of data across the 3G network, according to Vodafone experts.
A Vodafone spokesperson told MailOnline it couldn’t disclose how many of its customers are currently using 3G.
However, less than four per cent of customer data is used on Vodafone’s 3G network, down from more than 30 per cent in 2016.
According to recent research by Uswitch.com, seven per cent of 2,000 UK adults Brits – potentially equating to several millions of people – say it is the only network they can access.
Some critics claim that getting rid of 3G will force people to buy new phones, rendering older devices obsolete.
Dennis Reed, of campaign group Silver Voices, said: ‘This decision by the giant telecom companies is an unnecessary and cynical move to force as many customers as possible onto smartphones and the 4G and 5G networks.’
Amazingly, Vodafone’s 2G network, 3G’s predecessor, is still active and the firm has no plans to shut it down anytime soon.
Vodafone’s 2G network, which currently covers over 99 per cent of the UK population, remains in place for calls and texts, but customers won’t be able to access data with it.
Vodafone is retaining 2G because it is a ‘truly universal technology’, according to a spokesperson, although telcos have agreed with the UK government to phase out 2G by 2033.
The first 3G voice call in the UK was made in April 2001 by Vodafone, although its 3G mobile data network was launched until 2005. Pictured, a Vodafone store in Bristol, 2003
The first 3G voice call in the UK was made in April 2001 by Vodafone, although its 3G mobile data network wasn’t launched until 2005.
This was two years after rival Three launched on March 3, 2003 as the UK’s first 3G-only network.
The end of Vodafone’s 3G is another nail in the coffin for the communications standard, which ushered in the era of convenient and relatively fast mobile internet.
Although we take it for granted now, 3G was considered revolutionary for allowing users to browse the web, check emails, and access basic applications on the go.
In the UK, there are four mobile operators that own the mobile network infrastructure – Vodafone, Three, EE and O2 – but all have shut down or are in the process of shutting down 3G.
EE started its 3G network closure in January, while Three aims to have its shuttered by the end of this year.
O2, meanwhile, will be terminating 3G by the end of 2025.
