EE is giving some of its customers a free smartphone upgrade if they’re affected by the 3G switch off next year.
The UK’s mobile providers are planning to shut down the old network in 2024.
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It means anyone with an older handset only capable of 3G will no longer be able to go online when they’re out and about.
However, 3G is already very slow and most users can only just manage to use it online to send WhatsApp messages.
You’ll still be able to make calls and texts.
Most customers will be unaffected as modern smartphones are both 4G and 5G capable.
But anyone with a phone that’s only 3G capable will need to upgrade.
EE has revealed that it will offer a free 4G-ready mobile phone to vulnerable people who are affected.
Or, they can claim a discount on a monthly plan if they would prefer to choose their own handset.
“Having adopted this approach for our pilot in Warrington and seen its success, we will now be rolling it out across the country to support those 3G customers who need it most,” Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer for BT Group said.
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“Retiring 3G means we can reuse the spectrum to strengthen our 4G and 5G experiences (which the majority of customers use every day) and make sure more communities have access to a fast, reliable and sustainable mobile network.”
EE’s nationwide 3G switch off will start from January 2024.
The company plans to complete the switch off across the UK by March.
Virgin Media O2, Three and Vodafone have all revealed their own plans too.
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
