Say goodbye to 3G. To allow us to focus on building a better 4G and 5G network, we are switching off the rest of our 3G coverage.
We’ve now switched off our 3G network across most of the UK to give you and your users a better experience on our 4G and 5G networks.
We’re not alone in doing this – other networks in the UK and abroad are in the process of phasing out their 3G service too.
We aim to completely switch off 3G in remaining areas by November 2025.
Following the shutdown, 3G coverage will no longer be available; however, our aim is to make 4G or 5G coverage available in as many areas as possible.
One or more of your lines may be affected by the 3G shutdown, depending on the device used and network coverage. This includes lines that are unused or used infrequently. Please make sure all affected users are aware of these upcoming changes.
In areas where 4G/5G is available, calls, texts, and data services will continue to be available on devices compatible with our 4G/5G network.
It’s important that you check compatible devices' settings are not set to 3G only.
Check your device capabilities and settings
In limited areas where 4G/5G are unavailable, you will not be able to make or receive calls, use data or send or receive texts on the Three network, regardless of the device you’re using.
Check the coverage in your local area
If your device is not compatible, you'll need to change it to continue accessing our network – see how to do this below.
If you’re a Pay Monthly customer, get in touch and we can talk you through your options.
You can upgrade to a 4G or 5G device today by calling us on 337, even if you’re still within the minimum term of your contract1.
Get in touch and we can talk you through your upgrade options.
All our Business Broadband hubs are 5G ready, so your services won’t be affected. If you have a 3G Mobile Broadband device, call us on 0808 258 0333 for support.
If you bought your Three Business contract through one of our partners, and want to discuss your options, please reach out directly to the partner you bought your contract from.
At Three, we aim to be inclusive and provide the right level of support for every customer.
To find out how we can help, and to register your accessibility needs, visit our accessibility hub.
By switching off our 3G network, we've reused the 3G spectrum for our 4G and/or 5G services. That means we can offer higher-quality calls, smoother streaming, quicker downloads, and better overall performance.
Plus, 4G technology offers better voice quality with better sound and clarity compared to 3G. And it offers 4G Calling – also known as VoLTE – and Enhanced Voice Speech.
Our 4G network covers 99% of the UK population (outdoor coverage). And our 5G coverage is growing every day too.
Plus, we’ve been awarded the UK’s Fastest 5G Network by Ookla2 for the sixth year running.
So, if you want super-fast downloads and smooth streaming, make sure you’ve got a 5G ready device.
Our 4G and 5G networks carry Emergency Alerts, a free service from the UK government.
They warn you if there’s a severe danger to life or property nearby. You can get alerts about anything from severe flooding and fires to terror attacks or public health emergencies.
4G and 5G networks are more energy efficient than 3G networks. Mobile devices using a 4G or 5G network will have a longer battery life. And with less need to charge your device, you can enjoy using your phone uninterrupted.
No, we don’t have a 2G network. And like other networks in the UK and abroad, we’ve phased out 3G. We want you to have the best experience on our network, so we’re continuing to invest in our 4G and 5G networks.
Using an older phone? To stay connected, you’ll need to change to a device that’s 4G Calling or 5G compatible.
In areas where 3G has been switched off and 4G/5G is not available, contacting emergency services via call, SMS or video relay on the Three network will not be possible regardless of device type.
Your device will be able to use other operators’ networks – if available – to connect to emergency voice calls. You don’t need to be a customer of the other operators for this to work. All network operators have agreed to this to ensure the availability of emergency calls.
In areas where 4G/5G is available, connection to the emergency services via either call, text, or video relay will be dependent on device type. We’ve explained this in more detail below:
It’s important to note that other networks are also in the process of phasing out their 3G service. And while the plan is to keep some 2G networks operational after 3G is switched off, the longevity of 2G will vary by operator.
If you bought your phone from us after 2016, it’s likely that you’ll have 4G Calling – also known as VoLTE – capability. In 2016, we were the first UK operator to use 4G for voice calls, giving you a better quality experience.
You can check if your phone is 4G Calling capable, and see how to enable this in your device settings, on our device support hub.
Some older 4G devices might not be 4G Calling compatible. You can check your device on our device support hub. Pick your device, then go to Specifications, Network, then check 4G Calling (VoLTE UK & Abroad) is ticked.
If your device is compatible, you need to make sure 4G Calling is turned on in your device settings.
If it’s not compatible, you will still be able to send and receive text messages, and use 4G data on a temporary basis, but you won’t be able to make or receive calls using 4G.
In areas where we have upgraded the network to 4G or 5G, when we switch off 3G, calls, texts, and data will only be available when using a 4G Calling – or VoLTE – device. If your device isn’t compatible, you’ll need to change to one that supports 4G Calling to continue using our network.
If you’ve got a 4G Data Only device, such as a tablet, you’ll stay connected to our 4G network.
In limited areas where 4G/5G are unavailable, customers will not be able to make or receive calls, use data or send or receive texts on the Three network, regardless of device.
We started our 3G switch off last year and have now retired our 3G network across most of the UK. We aim to completely switch off 3G in remaining areas by November 2025.
3G is no longer available as a service, and the remaining 3G sites are in the process of being switched off. If you're in an area where 3G is the only available network, you will experience loss of service once 3G is switched off.
We’ll keep you updated as we progress the retirement of our remaining 3G sites, and we’ll let you know if there is any expected impact to your service in the area in which your business is registered or based on the areas in which you or your users regularly use our services.
You can also stay up to date on coverage improvements on our coverage checker.
In limited areas where 4G/5G are unavailable, customers will not be able to make or receive calls, use data or send or receive texts on the Three network, regardless of device.
If this affects you and you’d like to discuss your options, please get in touch.
We understand how important your device is to you. And we want to make sure that you’re using a phone that suits your needs and is ready for the future of our network. So if your device isn’t 4G Calling compatible, or uses 3G-only data - such as a tablet - have a chat with our Accessibility team . They’re on hand to help find you a device that works for you. You can also visit our accessibility hub at vobofame.top/accessibility.
We’re here to help you understand all your upgrade options. Just get in touch.
On 8 December 2021, the Government announced that all public 2G and 3G networks will be switched off by 2033 at the latest. However, operators have been encouraged to switch off their networks – particularly 3G networks – earlier than that.
We’ve now switched off our 3G network across most of the UK, and aim to completely switch off 3G in remaining areas by November 2025.
Following the shutdown, 3G coverage will no longer be available and we won’t be able to support any device that relies on 3G only for data and calls. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to connect to our 4G or 5G networks.
In limited areas where 4G/5G are unavailable, customers will not be able to make or receive calls, use data or send or receive texts on the Three network, regardless of device.
We’ve now switched off our 3G network across most of the UK and aim to switch it off in any remaining areas by November 2025. Once this has been done, 3G coverage won’t be available.
Mobile Broadband: If you have a 3G-only Mobile Broadband device, you should change it to continue using our 4G and 5G network. If you have got a 4G or 5G data-only Mobile Broadband device, you can continue to use our 4G and 5G networks as usual, where available.
Business Broadband: All our Business Broadband hubs are 5G ready, so you can continue to use our 4G and 5G networks as usual, where available.
If you need support, call us on 337 from your Three Business phone, or 0808 134 6269, and we'll discuss your options with you.
If you bought your Three Business contract through one of our partners, and want to discuss your options, please reach out directly to the partner you bought your contract from.
