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3G switch off checklist for trades: keep phones, card readers and site comms working

TrainAR Team 23 days ago 6 min read

3G switch off checklist for trades: keep phones, card readers and site comms working

Category: How-to Guides Niche: mobile connectivity, 3G switch-off, VoLTE, Wi-Fi Calling, site comms

Trades van cab with 4G VoLTE phone, 4G router and card terminal showing the 3G switch off context

Contents

Quick answer

3G is being retired to free up airwaves for faster 4G and 5G. EE and Vodafone completed their 3G switch off in early 2024. Three is phasing out 3G and expects to finish by November 2025. O2 is switching off 3G area by area through 2025. If a handset or device cannot use 4G data and 4G calling (VoLTE), it will lose service where 3G is gone. Check and enable VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling, upgrade any 3G-only kit, and test signal on live sites before it affects your crew or payments.

Sources: Ofcom, EE, Three, O2, Vodafone

5 step flow diagram to prepare for the 3G switch off: audit, check VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling, upgrade, test, brief team and clients

What is switching off and when

  • 3G networks are being retired to boost 4G and 5G performance and reduce energy use. All UK operators agreed to retire 2G and 3G by 2033, but most 3G switch offs are happening much sooner.
  • EE and Vodafone completed 3G switch off in early 2024. Three is removing 3G region by region and expects to finish by November 2025. O2 is running its 2025 programme across England and Scotland.
  • Three does not run a 2G network. On Three or its partners you must use a VoLTE-capable handset for calls after 3G is removed.

References: Ofcom guidance, Mobile UK

O2 and MVNO timelines

If you or your crew are on O2 or an O2-based provider like Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile or giffgaff, watch the phased dates.

  • O2 started in pilot areas and is expanding across the UK through 2025. See O2’s help page for live areas and advice: O2 3G switch off
  • On Three there is no 2G fallback. Ensure 4G Calling is on and your phone supports VoLTE: Three 3G switch off
  • EE completed in early 2024 and has clear setup guides for VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling: EE 3G switch off

Will my phone still work when 3G is switched off

  • If your phone supports 4G data and 4G Calling (VoLTE), you are fine. Turn on VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling in settings and install any carrier updates.
  • If your phone is 3G-only or does not support 4G Calling on your network, calls and mobile data will stop where 3G has been removed. Some older smartphones and feature phones fall into this group.
  • On Three and partners you must have VoLTE for calls because there is no 2G backup. On EE and Vodafone, 2G can still handle calls and texts for now, but data will be slow.

Helpful explainers: Ofcom, MoneySavingExpert guide

Devices at risk on jobs

Run through this list during your audit. Replace or reconfigure anything that cannot use 4G or Wi-Fi.

  • Crew phones and supervisor tablets
  • Card readers and payment terminals
  • Lone worker alarms and telecare devices
  • Site security systems that dial out over mobile networks
  • Vehicle trackers, dashcams with SIMs, MiFi hotspots
  • SMS door controllers, telemetry, legacy IoT

If you also handle landlines, read our guide to moving off copper: PSTN switch off survival plan

10 step action plan

  1. Audit your devices
  • Export a list of phones, SIMs, card readers, trackers and any alarm diallers. Note the network and model for each.
  1. Check VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling
  • On each phone, enable 4G Calling and Wi-Fi Calling. Use your provider’s guide: EE, O2, Three, Vodafone.
  1. Update software and carrier settings
  • Install iOS or Android updates and check for carrier settings updates. Replace very old SIMs if advised by your network.
  1. Replace 3G-only kit
  • Prioritise any phone or device that cannot use 4G. Budget for a low-cost 4G handset for site phones and confirm VoLTE compatibility with your network.
  1. Sort payments
  • Confirm your card reader supports 4G or use Wi-Fi in the van or on site. Have a fallback like pay by bank links if signal is patchy. Handy guide: Pay by bank links for trades
  1. Configure Wi-Fi hotspots
  • Keep a small 4G router or a phone hotspot for jobs in weak areas. Pre-test your SIMs for the network with best coverage on your routes.
  1. Check IoT, alarms and trackers
  • For any device that still uses 3G, contact the supplier for a 4G upgrade path. If it roams onto O2, note O2’s inbound 2G or 3G roaming policy changes for IoT.
  1. Train the team
  • Show engineers how to turn on VoLTE and Wi-Fi Calling and how to switch to a known-good SIM in the router if needed.
  1. Test on live sites
  • Pick a couple of current sites and run the signal tests below before a busy day.
  1. Brief key clients
  • Let builders, FM and homeowners know your team will stay contactable and payments will still work. Use the template below.

Test your live sites

A 15 minute routine to avoid surprises.

  • Phone calls: Make and receive a call with 4G Calling enabled. Toggle airplane mode on and off to force a fresh attach to the network.
  • Data: Load a couple of heavy pages and your job app. Force 4G-only if your phone supports it and re-test.
  • Payments: Take a 1 pound test transaction or run payment gateway diagnostics on your reader.
  • Photos to records: Send a site photo to your central drive to check uploads. If you do evidence capture by WhatsApp to Drive, this guide helps: Read temporary power meter from a photo

Client message template

Hi name,

Mobile networks are retiring 3G in our area. Our engineers are moving to 4G calling and 4G-enabled card payments. There is no impact expected to appointments or how you pay. If signal is weak at your property we will use Wi-Fi Calling or a mobile hotspot to keep things running.

Thanks, company name

Short video: O2’s 3G switch off overview

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