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Switching off 3G

Learn how saying goodbye to 3G affects you

Casey avatar
Written by Casey
Updated this week

Following guidance from the UK government for networks to turn off their 3G service to focus on building better 4G and 5G to give you the best possible service. Like other networks, SMARTY (who is powered by Three) no longer supports 3G.

Our 3G network has now been switched off across most of the UK.

We aim to switch it off entirely by November 2025.

From November 2025, 3G coverage will no longer be available; however, our aim is to make 4G and 5G coverage available and better in as many areas as possible.


To continue enjoying use of calls, SMS and data service in 4G/5G areas, you need to make sure you have a compatible device:

  • For data: your device must be 4G compatible

  • For phone/voice calls: your device must be a 4G Calling (also known as VoLTE) device, compatible with the SMARTY network - some older 4G devices do not have 4G Calling and some 4G Calling devices that are not compatible with SMARTY are listed here.

  • For 3G devices: calls, data, and SMS will no longer be available.

There may be limited areas where our 4G or 5G networks aren’t available. You won’t be able to use your call, data, or text services in these areas on any devices.


Need a new device?

If your device is not compatible and your area is covered by 4G and/or 5G, you need to upgrade your device to continue enjoying our network.

However, there are more affordable ways to do this than you might think. For example, SMARTY is partnered with Reboxed®, where you can benefit from exclusive SMARTY customer discounts on a refurbished phone.

Our friends at Three also offer device and airtime bundles and are giving SMARTY customers up to 20% off selected 24-month Airtime plans when you sign up to pay for your new phone with Three over 12, 24 or 36 months at 0% APR. Shop here.

You can also buy low-cost, SIM-free compatible devices at most online and high-street tech retailers, just remember, it needs to be unlocked, a minimum of 4G-VoLTE compatible and not listed here.


FAQ's

We know that all the G’s can be confusing, so we’ve listed some FAQs you may find handy below.

When is 3G being switched off? 📅

Our 3G network has now been switched off across most of the UK.

The majority of our 3G network was switched off in September 2024. There are still a limited number of 3G sites operational and these will be turned off by November 2025.

You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY. With a compatible device, you can continue enjoying our network in 4G and 5G areas.

You can check which coverage is available in your area by clicking here.

Why have Three switched off their 3G network?

In December 2021, the UK government announced that 2G and 3G will be phased out by 2033.

Aside from the government guidance to sunset 2G and 3G spectrum by 2033, 4G and 5G are newer, faster, and more efficient technologies, so switching off 3G allows us to focus our investments and spectrum resources which will benefit our customers.

I'm in a 3G-only area right now or have device that isn't compatible, what should I do? 🏡

If 3G has been or is due to be switched off in your area, and 4G and/or 5G coverage is not available, you won't be able to use our network after November 2025, regardless of your device type.

Our engineers are working hard to provide 4G and 5G coverage in more areas across the UK.

If 3G has been or is due to be switched off in your area and 4G/5G coverage is available, you will just need a compatible device to continue to make calls, texts, and use data.

If we thought you didn’t have a compatible device or might be impacted by the switch off, we would have contacted you in advance before the 3G switch-off happened in your area to give you time to find a replacement.

There are still a limited number of 3G sites operational and these will be turned off by November 2025. You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY.

How can I check if my device is compatible? 🔍

What is VoLTE?

Let's break it down 👇

Vo = Voice

LTE = Technical term for 4G

Put together they form VoLTE which means voice calls over 4G. If a device isn't VoLTE compatible, it'll drop to 3G to carry the call.

VoLTE provides a better quality of voice call.

You’ll need a VoLTE device which is compatible with the SMARTY network (check here) to enable you to make calls, texts and use data over the 4G network.

Some devices are 4G, but do not have VoLTE capability, or are VoLTE but not compatible with the SMARTY network – if you have one of these non-compatible devices (check here). You must upgrade to a compatible device to stay connected in 4G/5G areas when 3G is turned off in that area.

This sounds very techy! So in short, if your device is not compatible (again, you can check here), it will no longer connect to the network, and you'll need a compatible 4G VoLTE device to make calls, send texts and use data over the 4G 5G network.

My device isn't compatible, what do I need to do? 💭

If your current device is listed here and/or not 4G VoLTE-compatible, you’ll need to upgrade to one that is compatible with our network if you are in a 4G/5G area.

If we thought you didn’t have a compatible device before September 2024, we would have contacted you in advance before the 3G switch-off happened in your area to give you plenty of time to find a replacement.

There are still a limited number of 3G sites operational and these will be turned off by November 2025. You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY.

I can't afford to upgrade right now, what should I do?

We understand that purchasing a new device isn't always an option.

If you received communication that your area would be impacted and chose not to upgrade, you might still be able to use your handset in limited 3G areas, these will be turned off by November 2025. You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY.

If you need to upgrade, there are many ways to do this more affordably. For example, SMARTY is partnered with Reboxed®, where you can benefit from exclusive SMARTY customer discounts on a refurbished phone.

Our friends at Three also offer device and airtime bundles and are giving SMARTY customers up to 20% off selected 24-month Airtime plans when you sign up to pay for your new phone with Three over 12, 24 or 36 months at 0% APR. Shop here.

You can also buy low-cost, SIM-free compatible devices at most online and high-street tech retailers, just remember, it needs to be unlocked, a minimum of 4G-VoLTE compatible and not listed here.

What will happen if I don't have a compatible device?

We no longer support 3G for data, calls or texts entirely after 2024.

There are still a limited number of 3G sites operational and these will be turned off by November 2025. You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY.

Why can't I stay on 3G?

On 8 December 2021, the Government announced that all public 2G and 3G networks will be switched off by 2033 at the latest. However, it encouraged operators to switch off their networks, particularly 3G networks, earlier than this date.

The device I have is suitable for my accessibility needs, what should I do?

We understand how important your device is for your needs. If your current device isn’t compatible, we’ll be happy to discuss devices that could suit your needs.

Our dedicated Accessibility Team are on hand to help with any specific queries you might have.

If I change my phone, will I need a new SIM? 📏

Our SIMs are sent as a trio, so you can pop out the size you need. Most new devices take Nano SIMs. See here for more info on SIM sizing.

I use my SIM in a broadband device, does this impact me?

If you have a 3G data-only Mobile Broadband device, it will no longer be supported after 2024, we recommend upgrading your device.

There are still a limited number of 3G sites operational and these will be turned off by November 2025. You should not rely on the 3G network being available on SMARTY.

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