VMO2 ‘on track’ to phase out 3G by 2025

- Wednesday, July 24th, 2024
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Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has announced it is “on track” to phase out 3G services in 2025.
According to the telecom giant’s Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, VMO2 has already successfully completed switch-off trials.
In a statement, York said: “We remain on track to switch off the service next year – a move that will reduce our energy consumption and allow us to shift resources to more efficient 4G and 5G technologies.”
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“These newer networks are 10 times more energy efficient and the move will contribute to our wider plans to reach net-zero by 2040.”
However, she revealed, that despite less than 1% of VMO2’s customers using 2G-only devices, the company won’t be turning 2G off completely.
“Unlike our 3G network, we won’t be turning 2G off completely. In fact, we expect to continue operating it for several years and it will play an important role in carrying emergency calls in more remote areas without 4G coverage”, she added.
“As our customers use these newer network technologies more intensively, we’re reviewing older networks and optimising where we can.
“This helps us deliver our ambitious environmental goals while ensuring optimal coverage and capacity for our customers,” she concluded.