The business division of mobile network operator O2 (Virgin Media) has today confirmed that, as part of their plan to switch-off 2G and 3G services across the United Kingdom, they’ll also be withdrawing inbound roaming services on both of those older mobile networks from 1st October 2025.
Just to recap. Last year saw VMO2 become the final operator to reveal their plan for switching off their 3G mobile (mobile broadband) network (here), which will begin in 2025 and the withdrawal will then occur in phases, with completion by the end of that same year. O2 recently followed that by announcing that they’d also start shifting almost all remaining traffic and customers off their oldest 2G network in 2025 too (here), but they won’t be turning it off completely for “several years” because it’s still necessary for some vital services (e.g. Smart Meters – home energy tracking).
Both moves support an earlier agreement between the UK government and all major mobile operators, which jointly aim to phase-out existing 2G and 3G signals by 2033 (here). This will free up radio spectrum so it can be used to further improve the network coverage and mobile broadband speeds of more modern 4G and 5G networks, as well as future 6G services. The switch-off will also reduce the operators’ costs and power consumption.
The latest update today is that, as part of these changes, O2 have confirmed they will be withdrawing inbound roaming services from their 2G and 3G networks on 1st October 2025. This typically reflects the service that allows subscribers from other operators to access O2’s local network and services.
Jo Bertram, Managing Director of VMO2 Business, said:
“In July, we contacted all our business customers, from small enterprises to wholesale partners, to make them aware of these plans and told them that they will need to upgrade any 2G and 3G only devices, so they can maintain seamless connectivity. We’ve also made our international roaming partners aware and instructed them to work with their customers to avoid disruption.
We know some organisations purchase connectivity solutions from other providers, including SIMs from overseas operators which roam on our network. Businesses should contact their connectivity provider to ensure any machines and applications that may use roaming to connect to our network, even occasionally, are upgraded to 4G / 5G or to find alternate ways to connect before October 2025.
Many organisations won’t need to do anything, or notice any change since their devices are already compatible with the 4G and 5G networks. To check if a device is compatible with 4G/5G and 4G Calling, also called VoLTE, we’ve published a list here under the ’Check your device’ section. There are also instructions on how to enable this function on devices.
With other operators also switching off older networks, we recommend that all businesses – whether they’re our customers or not – undertake an audit of their device estate to determine if they have any 2G or 3G only devices that need to be upgraded or are using any SIMs that could be roaming on our network. Your connectivity provider should be able to tell you this.”
The change shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, given the operator’s prior announcements, but it does set a clear timeline for a key change within the process, and that should help with planning. But there’s always a risk that, in some limited areas and circumstances, this could contribute to localised problems with securing basic mobile / voice coverage.