Vodafone announces major mobile network change that will leave millions without internet

Vodafone will instead switch to provide “faster and more efficient” 4G and 5G services.

Andrea Dona, Vodafone’s UK network director, said: “Our focus remains to continue to build the UK’s most reliable mobile network and to continue to do this, we need to ensure our technologies are fit for purpose.

“Now is the time to say goodbye to 3G and focus on the current benefits and future possibilities of our 4G and 5G networks.”

Vodafone’s 3G shutdown will occur in phases over the next few months.

Hull, Oxford and Greater London will be impacted in June.

Plymouth and Basingstoke have already had their 3G networks cut off.

Vodafone gave customers a lengthy notice period before making the move.

The technology communications company first announced the switch last year.

But the announcement comes after Vodafone provided 3G network for almost two decades.

Vodafone is also running a dedicated help page to assist customers.

A majority of customers have already changed to the updated networks but one-in-four Britons are estimated to still regularly use 3G.

Seven per cent rely exclusively on the older 3G network, Uswitch.com research has revealed.

Less than four per cent of Vodafone’s customer data is used on its 3G network, down from more than 30 per cent in 2016.

Britons who still use older mobile phone devices, such as an iPhone 5 or an even earlier model, will have to buy a new device to connect to the two more modern networks.

The first 3G voice call made in the UK was made in April 2001 by Vodafone.

However, the company’s first 3G mobile data network was only launched in 2005.

Vodafone is retaining 2G because it is a "truly universal technology", a spokesperson has confirmed.