Warning issued to Virgin Media O2 customers ahead of major service change in April
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Virgin Media O2 has issued an update ahead of a major change to services this year. The mobile phone and telecoms provider will shut down its 3G mobile data service later this year following Vodafone, Three, and EE's changes last year. Virgin Media O2 is the final provider to end the service, and the first place to see it go will be the city of Durham in April.
While the vast majority of customers will not need to take any action, the operator is contacting customers who have recently been in the area to provide further information and support. While the vast majority of customers will not have to take any action as a result of the switch-off, Virgin Media O2 has started directly contacting the small proportion of customers in the area who don’t currently have a 4G or 5G device about the change. They will inform customers that from April, they will require a 4G SIM and handset to continue using mobile data.
However, it will impact not just O2 customers but also those with phone deals with Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, and Giffgaff - all of which use O2’s network to operate. Customers of these other networks will be contacted by their provider. Virgin Media says the switch-off in the city of Durham is a "key milestone" in its 3G switch-off programme. The company will use any lessons learned to inform the wider programme when 3G sites across the UK are turned off. In the Durham area specifically, Virgin Media O2 has upgraded 4G and 5G masts over the past year, with further improvements planned in 2025.
