British telecommunications firm BT has formally introduced the timeline for the shutdown of EE’s 3G community throughout the UK, marking the top of an period in cellular connectivity. BT mentioned EE initially launched its 3G community within the early 2000s, and now, as applied sciences proceed to evolve, it has grow to be essential to section out 3G in favour of extra superior applied sciences like 4G and 5G. BT additional revealed that its deliberate shutdown of the 3G community is scheduled to begin in January 2024 and conclude by March.
Additionally Learn: EE Expands 4G Protection to 1,500 Distant UK Communities
BT mentioned it goals to make sure a easy transition for its customers and EE has been working to make sure that all prospects are supported through the transition to 4G and 5G. The corporate mentioned it’s providing free 4G-ready cell phones to weak prospects.
Moreover, EE has partnered with AbilityNet to offer digital expertise coaching to aged and weak individuals who require help throughout this community transition.
Warrington’s 3G Part-out Pilot
BT emphasised that Warrington was the primary city within the UK the place the 3G community shutdown was piloted, beginning on July 18, 2023, as reported by TelecomTalk.
BT additionally identified that through the 3G switch-off, there have been no buyer complaints associated to community protection or efficiency. Importantly, there have been no capability points on both EE’s 2G or 4G networks, whilst extra customers relied on them day by day.
Additionally Learn: EE Publicizes Pilot Withdrawal of 3G Service in Warrington, Prioritizing 4G and 5G Networks
In the direction of a Greener Future
Past enhancing community effectivity, retiring 3G aligns with sustainability objectives. BT has highlighted that 3G presently accounts for roughly 35 p.c of BT’s cellular community’s whole energy consumption, far surpassing its precise utilization. The shift to trendy networks like 4G and 5G guarantees not solely quicker and extra dependable companies but in addition as much as ten instances larger power effectivity.
Actually, BT estimates that the retirement of the 3G community throughout the UK will save an quantity of power equal to totally charging as much as 4 billion smartphones. This represents a major step in the direction of a extra sustainable future for the planet and its prospects.
Additionally Learn: EE to Increase 5G to Rural Areas and Vacationer Locations
A Fashionable Cellular Community
EE mentioned it has additionally applied a number of enhancements to its radio know-how to make sure that prospects whose telephones already help 4G connectivity can keep related to it for longer.
For these with out trendy handsets or plans, BT’s 2G community, masking 99 p.c of the inhabitants, serves as a reliable fallback for voice calls and texts. To help the choice to modify off 3G, BT has supplied statistics on 3G utilization inside the EE community, which noticed a drop to file lows this summer time. It accounted for simply 0.6 p.c of the entire knowledge downloaded and seven p.c of voice site visitors.
Additionally Learn: Virgin Media O2 to Start 3G Change-Off within the UK in 2025
A Brilliant Future Forward
In response to Ofcom’s Cellular Issues 2023 report, EE prospects now spend solely 2.7 p.c of their time related to 3G, the bottom amongst all UK cellular operators.
Additionally Learn: EE Confirms Conducting First VoNR Name With 5G within the UK
BT mentioned after the 3G community switch-off, it’ll reuse the spectrum for 4G and 5G companies, thus offering extra communities with entry to a quick, dependable, and sustainable cellular community. As EE’s 3G community prepares to modify off in early 2024, EE is already modernising its community to help a wider vary of shopper experiences with superior know-how.
