UK operator Vodafone has completed the shutdown of its 3G mobile network.
The telco confirmed the switch off yesterday (February 28), and said it will repurpose the last remaining 3G radio frequencies to strengthen 4G and 5G service.
Vodafone's announcement arrives just two days after BT confirmed its 3G shutdown on Monday (February 26).
Three is set to retire its 3G network by the end of the year, while Virgin Media O2 will switch off its network by 2025.
“The 3G legacy switch-off has been a massive program and I’d like to thank my team for their hard work to make this a success," said Vodafone UK network director, Andrea Dona.
"With switch off complete, we can start to redeploy the remaining spectrum which will ultimately lead to stronger and faster 4G and 5G across the UK. All on top of our existing 4G and 5G network improvement programs. Good news for our customers, businesses, and the wider UK economy.”
Vodafone noted that the switch off the 3G service will enable it to achieve its goal of reaching Net Zero by 2027, with 5G networks more energy efficient. The telco began its 3G switch-off last summer.
Vodafone has focused heavily on its rollout of 5G since 2019 but did tell DCD last year that its rip and replace of Huawei equipment slowed down its overall rollout.
The operator was forced to replace the 5G kit deployed by Huawei within its 5G network following the UK's ban on the vendor, which was imposed back in 2020. That year, Vodafone said it would cost around €200 million (then $220 million) to replace the equipment from its European networks.
Huawei has previously supported Vodafone on the RAN side of its network, not the core side.
