We’ll be focusing on 4G and 5G, which are faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient.
It’s an industry-wide change that’s been agreed with the government and the other mobile network operators.
The 3G switch-off will also impact other products and services, such as Mobile Extension (Mobex) and Boostbox.
What you need to do
If your organisation doesn’t have 4G or 5G-ready devices, you’ll need to upgrade if you want to continue using mobile data connectivity after the 3G network is switched off.
Mobex customers will need to switch to a different tariff to continue making calls. Boostbox customers will need to enable WiFi calling on their handsets.
Our priority is to keep you connected, so let’s arrange everything now to make sure the switch-off doesn’t impact your organisation.
You’re in a good place,
with plenty of options
The 3G switch-off offers an opportunity to take stock and future-proof your organisation.
Now’s the time to get shiny new mobile devices to give your people more speed, reliability and energy-efficiency.
iPhone 13
All-around amazing.
For your all-around business.
Give your business a boost with iPhone 13. Superfast 5G2 and powerful A15 Bionic for great performance, so it’s easier to multitask. A big leap in battery life3, so you can get more done.
Samsung Galaxy A Series
Astounding. Affordable. Awesome.
Equip your people with superior devices that keep them connected and productive, wherever they choose to work.
With lots of great business tools packed into an attractive design, the Samsung Galaxy A Series offers greater affordability without sacrificing the essential features you expect.
Get the A35 5G for just £259.
Share your data allowance
We know that some employees use more data than others, so our Business Sharer tariff allows you to share a pot of data between all your people. It’s easier to manage and more cost-effective.
We’ll also roll your data over if you haven’t used it, helping you iron out the peaks and troughs in your data demand.
Get the latest mobile tech without the usual reasons not to
No hassle. No upfront cost. No problem.
Make it easy with Device-as-a-Service: our flexible all-in-one solution for buying and managing mobile devices that helps your people’s time – and your budget – go further.
Get your choice of the latest devices, secured and ready to use right out of the box, with a simple finance plan to help you cut your costs and spread them out, freeing up budget to use elsewhere.
We’ll take care of everything else, from setup to delivery, speedy repairs and tech support, keeping you secure and compliant at all times.
A network you can trust
We’re here for you whenever you’re doing business.
With our superfast internet and the UK’s largest mobile network, we provide end-to-end connectivity with the speed and reliability your organisation needs.
Stay online with 99.9% service availability and 24/7 monitoring and management from our engineers.
With a guaranteed internet speed (even at peak times) that can handle whatever you throw at it.
Get expert guidance and flexible support
With two powerful networks, one great team and decades of experience in mobile connectivity, we’ll help you implement your new technology in a way that works for you, your people and your customers, not just today but in months and years to come.
We make sure you get the best return from your technology investments and our flexible finance options help reduce upfront costs so you can make your budget go further.
The Boostbox solution is reliant on 3G network and will also end with the 3G switch-off on 31st December 2025.
We’ll continue to support existing services until the formal withdrawal date in 2025.
When the service is fully withdrawn it will mean that your in-building mobile phone coverage might be impaired. As an alternative you can switch to WiFi Calling.
Our Mobile Extension (Mobex) service will be permanently discontinued on 31st March 2025 when the 3G switch-off comes. When this happens you will no longer be able to make calls using the Mobex service and you’ll need to switch to another tariff.
Note: you may also know this as Closed User Groups, Short Code Dialling, Free On Net Calls or PABX Integration. Share your data allowance and roll over unused data
Our Business Sharer tariff allows you to share a pot of data between all your people and roll over unused data, helping you iron out the peaks and troughs in your data demand. It could be the perfect replacement for your Mobex tariff.
FAQs
I don’t have an inventory of all the business devices in my organisation. Can you help?
I don’t have an inventory of all the business devices in my organisation. Can you help?
We have visibility of this at a technical level and your Account Manager or Service Delivery Manager will share this securely with you.
I have 3G devices in my estate, but I don’t want expensive devices, what can I do?
I have 3G devices in my estate, but I don’t want expensive devices, what can I do?
Our 4G and 5G coverage across the UK is expanding. To provide you with a better mobile experience, we’ll be moving you away from our older 2G and 3G networks if you still use them.
In the future, you'll need to make sure that you have a 4G or 5G-ready device to continue making calls, sending messages and using data.
If your business has less than 10 employees, please call us on 0800 977 7337. We have a wide range of great-value deals to suit all budgets.
For 10 plus employees, we have a varied portfolio of telephony services and your Account Manager or Service Delivery Manager can guide you through the available options.
I need extra support, what’s available to me?
I need extra support, what’s available to me?
The 3G switch off won’t begin until 2025, so nothing will change for you yet. Our priority is to keep all customers connected and we’ll get in touch with impacted customers closer to when we begin to switch off 3G in 2025.
For customers with more than 10 employees, your Account Manager or Service Delivery Manager will be in touch ahead of this time to help support you. If you don’t have an Account or Service Delivery Manager, please chat to our Care team, who’ll be happy to help.
My business has users in rural locations, will the switch off make connectivity harder?
My business has users in rural locations, will the switch off make connectivity harder?
Providing seamless connectivity for all our customers, wherever they live or work, is our priority, and we’ve been working to bridge the digital divide between urban and rural communities over recent years.
For example, the Shared Rural Network (SRN) is a joint initiative between telecoms network operators and the UK government to deliver reliable 4G coverage to rural parts of the UK, with the aim of reaching 95% of the UK. We’ve already boosted 4G in numerous locations across the UK as part of our commitment to the SRN, and this will continue in the months and years ahead.
Will shutting down 3G affect calls to the emergency services?
Will shutting down 3G affect calls to the emergency services?
No. Emergency services are a critical aspect of telecommunications infrastructure, and all network operators take necessary measures to ensure their continuity.
Will 2G be switched off as well?
Will 2G be switched off as well?
We aren't switching off our 2G network, but to provide you with a better mobile experience we’ll be moving you away from our older 2G and 3G networks – while expanding our 4G and 5G coverage across the UK.
In the future, you'll need to make sure that you have a 4G or 5G-ready device to continue making calls, sending messages and using data.
I have Mobile Voice Recording (MVR), will this service be impacted?
I have Mobile Voice Recording (MVR), will this service be impacted?
No, there’ll be no impact to your Mobile Voice Recording (MVR) service. We've been future- proofing the MVR platform to ensure compatibility with both 4G Calling and Wifi Calling.
What about my Mobile Extension (Mobex) service?
What about my Mobile Extension (Mobex) service?
We no longer sell the Mobex service as it’s been replaced by more modern approaches to mobile use and ways of working. We’ll continue to run and support the Mobex service until it’s withdrawn in early 2025.
Even if your device is ready and compatible with 4G and 5G services, if you’re registered with our Mobex service, you won’t be able to use 4G Calling or WiFi Calling.
Our Account Managers will work with you to explore alternate solutions to replace your existing package
I have a SIM from another network provider, will I be able to roam on the O2 network?
I have a SIM from another network provider, will I be able to roam on the O2 network?
We’re withdrawing our 2G and 3G inbound roaming services from 1 October 2025, so you won’t be able to use them after this date. We recommend that you get in touch with your existing service provider to understand what this change means for you.
Ready to make the switch?
Small & medium business
(11 - 249 employees)
Call 0800 298 8848
Large enterprise & Public sector
(250+ employees)
Call 0800 955 5590
Contact your Account Manager to talk you through all the alternative solutions available to your business.
If your account is managed by a team you can easily contact them on 0800 954 1392 or email
salesandrenewals@virginmediao2.co.uk
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2Data plan required. 5G is available in selected markets and through selected network providers. Speeds vary based on site conditions and network. For details on 5G support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular
3Compared to previous generation. Battery life varies by use and configuration.