Brits are being warned their phones may stop working ahead of a major tech shakeup. Back in 2021, the government green-lighted plans for mobile network operators to phase out 2G and 3G services by 2023 – following the advancements of 4G and 5G networks.
First rolled out in 2003, 3G services have already been cut off by EE, Three, and Vodafone. As previously reported, Virgin Media O2 is also working to switch 3G off over the coming 12 months.
It could be a huge problem for thousands of Brits still using older mobile devices that rely on the 3G network – and may result in their device becoming completely defunct. However, the phase-out will free up capacity which can be used to improve 4G and 5G networks – expanding the networks to tackle ‘signal dead spots’.
Now, Tesco Mobile has confirmed it will switch off its 3G network at the end of 2025. Earlier this month (April 2), it announced it was cutting the service in Durham – explaining that those impacted by the move should have been contacted directly by the provider.
“Newer technology has been developed which better suits the needs of today, and switching off the 3G network will free up capacity on the faster 4G and 5G networks,” Tesco Mobile said. “The change will mean some older phones won’t work, and you may need to take action to make sure you can continue to call, text and use your data like you now.”
Once the 3G network has been switched off, you will need to be able to switch on 4G Calling to continue to use your phone, including making and receiving calls and texts and using your data. However, to do this you’ll need to have a compatible 4G phone, which includes:
Apple – iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max, iPhone SE 2020, iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, XS Max, iPhone X, iPhone XR, iPhone 8, 8 Plus, iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, iPhone 6, 6 Plus, iPhone SE.
Samsung – Galaxy A12, Galaxy S20 FE, Galaxy A42, Galaxy S21 Ultra, Galaxy S21+, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Galaxy Note20 5G, Galaxy Note20 4G, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Xcover Pro, A21s, A41, A51, A51 5G, A71, S10 Lite, Galaxy Fold 5G, Galaxy Z Flip, S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, S10 5G, Note10, Note10 Plus 5G, S10, S10e, S10 Plus, A10, A20e, A50, A3 2017, Xcover 4s, A02, A52 5G, A42 5G, Xcover Pro, A23 5G, A52s 5G, A53 5G, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Ultra, Galaxy S22+, Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23+, Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip3, Galaxy Z Flip4, Galaxy Z Flip5, Galaxy Z Fold3, Galaxy Z Fold4, Galaxy Z Fold5.
Sony – Xperia 5 II, Xperia 10 II, Xperia 1 II, Xperia 10 III, Xperia 1 III, Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 1 V, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10 V, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 5 V, Xperia Pro.
OnePlus – Nord, 5, 5T, 6, 6T, Nord 2, Denniz, Denniz 5G.
Doro – 8050, 6620, 6880, 8100.
Google – Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 7, 7A, 7 Pro, Pixel 6, 6A, 6 Pro, Pixel 5, Pixel 4, 4A, 4XL, Pixel 3A.
Xiaomi – Mi Mix 3 5G, Redmi Note 10 5G, 12 Lite, 12T Pro, 9AT, Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi Note 12, Redmi Note 12 Pro, A2.
OPPO – Reno4 Pro 5G, A53, A15, Reno 5G, Find X2 Neo 5G, Find X2 Lite 5G, Find X2 Pro 5G, Find X2 5G, Find X3 Lite, Find X3 Neo, Find X3 Pro, Reno4 Z 5G, Reno4 5G, A9 2020, A94 5G, Reno8, Reno8 Lite, Reno8 Pro, N2 Flip, Find X5, Find X5 Lite, Find X5 Neo, Find X5 Pro, A16s, A17, A17, N2 Flip, A53, A54, A57s, A78.
Huawei – P40 Lite 5G, Mate 20 X 5G, P30, P30 Pro, P30 Pro New Edition, P40, P Smart 2021, P40 Pro.
Motorola – Razr 5G, Moto G 5G Plus, Moto G9 Play, Edge 5G, Moto G50, Moto E20, Moto E20 Pro, Moto E30, Moto G14, Moto G22, Moto G31, Moto G50, Moto G13, Moto G53, Razr 40, Sabah Lite E13.
Nokia – 8.3, G10, G20, 5.4, X20, X10, 1.4, 105, 215, 2660, 5310, 800, 8210, C21 Plus, G11.
Alcatel – 1B Prime, 3080, TCL 403.
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If your phone isn’t in the above list, it means you won’t be able to access 4G Calling and you will need to change it to a phone that does – once the 3G network has been cut off. Tesco Mobile advises anyone who thinks they might be impacted by the move to visit their local phone shop.
“The good news is the network changes will mean we can focus on providing faster, more reliable connectivity through our 4G and 5G networks,” the provider added. “These networks are more modern, so they’re better equipped to manage the large amount of data that we use in our everyday lives.”
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