Vodafone, which has about 18 million UK mobile customers, is to turn off the almost two-decade-old network as usage dwindles to focus on using the freed up spectrum to expand its 4G and 5G networks.
However, the company, which is to phase out 3G along the same timeline as EE-owner BT, admits that there are hundreds of thousands of customers who have stuck with their 3G-only phones, particularly older owners who have not been enticed to join the smartphone revolution.
In addition, areas of the UK including parts of Cornwall, rural Scotland and north Norfolk still only have 3G coverage, in total about 2.2% of the UK, although there is voice call capability in these areas thanks to a 2G signal.
A year-long communications campaign includes partnering with organisations including the Good Things Foundation, which aims to achieve digital inclusion across all socio-economic groups, with an announcement on a partner specifically focused on older demographics expected in the coming weeks.
Vodafone, which launched its 3G network in the UK in November 2004, said that today less than 4% of data used by customers is carried on the network. As recently as 2016, the 3G network carried 30% of data.
Vodafone, which has already switched off 3G networks in Germany and Italy, said that in the long run the switch-off of 3G will benefit the environment as it is built with what is now considered inefficient equipment, with 5G networks 10 times more efficient.
Last summer, BT became the first operator to announce it will phase out its 3G network in a staged approach with full switch-off completed by the end of next year.
