3G sunset – the final countdown

Andrew Kelly, managing director at Contel

The 3G network, or the third-generation network, has been the backbone of mobile communication in the UK for the past two decades.

However, as the industry advances and 4G and 5G technology takes over, the third-generation network is gradually being phased out.

This process, known as the 3G sunset, is set to have a significant impact on the UK’s mobile communication landscape.

The 3G network has been the primary means of connecting people and businesses since the early 2000s and it has enabled many new services and applications such as remote video, vehicle telematics, and other connected solutions.

Many companies still rely on 3G technology throughout their operations for remote monitoring and data transmission and furthermore, many are still unaware of the changes to the networks and the potential impact on their business that has already begun to roll out, as of the beginning of 2023.

Described as a ‘phased approach’, there won’t be a big switch-off.

One of our SIM providers explains that “3G estates will see a steady degradation of their estate through the year. As masts come up for maintenance the operators will simply take the chance to switch off and remove the old 3G kit. So, it will be a patchwork process as each network follows their own maintenance programme".

Vodafone network shutdown has now begun, with the 3G network in the Plymouth and Basingstoke areas being switched off in February 2023. 

A schedule of shutdowns can be found on the Ofcom website.

The shutdown of the 3G network is set to have a significant impact on many aspects of life in the UK, including businesses, consumers, and the economy as a whole.

Older-generation devices that only support 3G technology will no longer be able to connect to the internet and access these services – ultimately becoming ‘stranded’.

The next steps for businesses depend on whether their hardware can connect to 4G or not.

If it can, they have more options available, but if that isn’t the case, it is essential that they put a plan in place for device hardware upgrades/migration.

If you find yourself in the latter category, our advice is to plan ahead, if possible, and don’t react without understanding all the options available.

Completing an audit of effected devices is a good place to start to understand the scale of the issue and then work with your suppliers to agree a manageable and realistic project plan and approach.

In the short-term, a viable solution may be to switch to a network that has a later 3G shutdown scheduled date, this could possibly be done with little to no cost.

An alternative would be to patch the existing hardware with a 4G/LTE or 5G module.

This would be far less expensive, when compared to the alternative of a complete device swap out.

In conclusion, the 3G sunset in the UK will bring both challenges and opportunities.

While it may result in some disruption and cost implications for consumers and businesses, it will also pave the way for the adoption of faster and more reliable technologies.

The transition to 5G is expected to bring many benefits, such as increased data speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability.

The 3G sunset, therefore, represents a significant step forward for the UK’s mobile communication landscape.