O2 confirms UK network switch off and the exact date your phone may stop working

If you own an ageing smartphone, you may soon need to switch to something new. All of the UK's biggest mobile networks have been slowly turning off access to 3G and that means devices that can't connect to newer 4G and 5G signals could lose access to data and all-important services such as WhatsApp.

Virgin Media O2 is the latest of the big four UK providers to announce the closure of this 3G platform with the company confirming that areas including Norwich, Telford and Guildford will be shut down from July 16. Torquay will the follow on August 4. The whole of the UK should then lose access by the end of the year.

The closure is part of O2's longer-term plans to deliver faster and more reliable 4G and 5G connectivity for customers.

“3G services in those areas will be switched off in the coming weeks, and those who currently don’t have a 4G or 5G device must upgrade to a compatible handset in order to retain access to mobile data services,” Virgin Media O2 said.

O2 is a little behind its rivals. Vodafone, Three and EE have already completed their 3G switch-off with customers no longer able to access this slower signal.

Luckily, most modern phones won't have any issues and it's only very old call makers that could suffer from connection problems.

“While the vast majority of customers will not need to take any action, the operator is directly contacting all customers across the UK who currently don’t have a 4G or 5G device to provide support,” a Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said in an email.

“Customers can visit their local O2 store for further information and support, and they are also reminded they can use O2 Recycle to responsibly and sustainably dispose of their old handsets in exchange for cash."

3G first launched in the UK all the way back in 2003. It's since been superseded by 4G and 5G technolgy which is more reliable and a lot faster.

Those with 3G will only be able to access downloads at speeds of under 5Mbps. 5G takes this well beyond 100Mbps which makes it perfect for modern needs such as streaming on the move.