2G and 3G switch-off in the United Kingdom
Quick answer
2G in the United Kingdom: Planned, 2029 to 2030. All four UK networks have switched off 3G (EE and Vodafone in February 2024, Three in November 2025, Virgin Media O2 during 2025, with the last areas following in early 2026). 2G closes from May 2029 (EE), summer 2029 (Virgin Media O2) and spring 2030 (Vodafone), within a 2033 latest-date commitment and a voluntary government charter. O2’s 2G is already closed to roaming SIMs.
Operators
Checked 2 October 2026.
Dates are set by each operator and can change. Check with us before you plan around them.
| Operator | 3G | 2G |
|---|---|---|
| EE (BT) | Off, February 2024 | Planned, May 2029 |
| Vodafone (VodafoneThree) | Off, 27 February 2024 | Planned, spring 2030 |
| Three (VodafoneThree) | Off, 27 November 2025 | Never had 2G |
| Virgin Media O2 | Off, late 2025 | Planned, summer 2029. Already closed to roaming SIMs. |
Details
- EE (BT) 3G. Nationwide switch-off began in early January 2024; the final 3G site, in Belfast, was switched off in February 2024. BT Group
- EE (BT) 2G. Nationwide 2G retirement begins from May 2029, with pilot closures in different regions first. EE Business
- Vodafone (VodafoneThree) 3G. Switched off across the UK in the week of 27 February 2024; a few sites of security significance and remote rural communities stayed on briefly. Vodafone UK
- Vodafone (VodafoneThree) 2G. Vodafone 2G network switches off in spring 2030; some areas may lose 2G earlier to test readiness. VodafoneThree
- Three (VodafoneThree) 3G. Three UK’s 3G network was shut down on the morning of 27 November 2025. VodafoneThree
- Three (VodafoneThree) 2G. Three UK launched in 2003 as a 3G-only network and never had 2G. VodafoneThree
- Virgin Media O2 3G. VMO2 switched off 3G during 2025, with the last areas following in early 2026. Virgin Media O2
- Virgin Media O2 2G. 2G switch-off starts in summer 2029 after localised trials; O2’s 2G is already closed to international roaming. Virgin Media O2
Regulator and government
- The four mobile operators confirmed to government (December 2021) that they don’t intend to offer 2G and 3G networks past 2033 at the latest. GOV.UK (DCMS)
- Voluntary 2G Switch-off Charter (March 2026, updated 15 September 2026), signed by EE, Virgin Media O2 and VodafoneThree: announce the 2G date at least 3 years ahead, trial in some areas first with 3 months’ notice, verify 4G or 5G coverage before switching off, report quarterly to DSIT. GOV.UK (DSIT)
- Government connectivity timeline lists the confirmed 2G dates: EE from May 2029, Virgin Media O2 from summer 2029, VodafoneThree in spring 2030. GOV.UK (DSIT)
What this means for your devices
O2’s 2G is already closed to roaming SIMs, and UK 2G ends between 2029 and 2030. If someone has to visit a device to change its SIM, replace the device at the same time with one that uses 4G, LTE‑M or NB‑IoT, so you only visit once. Choose a radio technology →
Each SIM profile has its own page, showing where it works and what it supports.
Common questions
When does 2G switch off in the United Kingdom?
Planned, 2029 to 2030.
Is 3G still working in the United Kingdom?
Off, 2024 to 2025.
Sources
- Closing the curtain on 3G, BT Group
- We're saying goodbye to 2G, EE Business
- Vodafone successfully switches off 3G in UK, Vodafone UK
- VodafoneThree 2G switch-off, everything you need to know, VodafoneThree
- Three 3G shutdown paves the way for the future, VodafoneThree
- So long, farewell 3G, Virgin Media O2
- Virgin Media O2 to start switching off its 2G network in 2029 with promise to turbocharge 5G, Virgin Media O2
- A joint statement on the sunsetting of 2G and 3G networks and public ambition for Open RAN rollout, GOV.UK (DCMS)
- 2G Switch-off Charter, GOV.UK (DSIT)
- Telecommunications Modernisation connectivity timeline, GOV.UK (DSIT)
Checked 2 October 2026. Dates move, so check the operator’s own notice before you plan a change.