16.05.2023

Vodafone 3G turn-off sparks internet access fears

Access to services News Rural Vulnerability Rural Older People mobile coverage Rural Digital Connectivity

The BBC report how campaigners have warned that Vodafone turning off its 3G network will lead to people with older and more basic phones falling into "digital poverty."

Vodafone will be the first UK telecoms firm to stop providing 3G when it begins a nationwide phase-out in June.

This will free up radio frequencies for faster 4G and 5G services, it says.

Vodafone says it is working to support vulnerable customers, but campaign group Digital Poverty Alliance has criticised the switch-off.

Vodafone UK's chief network officer, Andrea Dona, said 3G use had "dropped significantly" - with less than than 4% of its customers' data being used on its 3G network, compared with more than 30% in 2016.

He said that meant it was now "time to say goodbye to 3G and focus on the current benefits and future possibilities of our 4G and 5G networks".

Digital Poverty Alliance, which says its objective is help people access the "life-changing benefits" of digital services, says 14 million British people rarely engage online, with 18% of adults relying on their their phone to access digital services. It said switching off 3G would have "detrimental effects".

"Older and basic devices do not have 4G capabilities, so individuals who can only get online using a basic device will fall into digital poverty," it warned in a statement.

"Switching off 3G will have an adverse effect on the mission to help more people access the digital world," it added.

Vodafone says it is pressing ahead with a nationwide phase-out after successful pilots across Plymouth and Basingstoke.

However, some customers have expressed concern about how it will affect them.

The UK government and mobile phone operators have said all 2G and 3G services will be shut off by 2033 at the latest, with 3G networks being shut first.

Full article:

The BBC - Vodafone 3G turn-off sparks internet access fears

RSN Comment: Rural residents have been hit hard by the Cost of Living crisis, and may face unfair costs due to the need to upgrade handsets to be 4G compatible.