Campaigners have expressed concerns over Vodafone’s plan to decommission its 3G network, warning that it could result in people with older or basic mobile phones falling into “digital poverty.”
Vodafone is set to become the first telecommunications firm in the UK to shut down its 3G network, with a nationwide phase-out beginning in June. The move aims to allocate radio frequencies for faster 4G and 5G services, according to the company.
While Vodafone has assured that it is working to support vulnerable customers, the Digital Poverty Alliance campaign group has criticized the decision. Andrea Dona, Vodafone UK’s chief network officer, stated that the use of 3G has significantly declined, with less than 4% of customer data being utilized on the 3G network, compared to over 30% in 2016. As a result, the company believes it is time to bid farewell to 3G and focus on the advantages and future potential of their 4G and 5G networks.
Vodafone has stated that it is collaborating with third-party organizations, including charities, to assist customers affected by the change. The company has also highlighted the support it offers, such as providing information on its website to help customers determine if their phones are 4G-capable. Additionally, Vodafone has partnered with We Are Digital to establish the Digital Skills Helpline, which is accessible free of charge from all UK mobiles and landlines.
The Digital Poverty Alliance, whose mission is to enable more people to access the transformative benefits of digital services, reports that 14 million people in the UK rarely engage online, with 18% of adults relying on their basic mobile phones for digital access. The group asserts that discontinuing 3G will have adverse consequences, particularly for individuals who only have access to basic devices, potentially leading them into a state of digital poverty.
Concerns have been voiced by Vodafone customers as well. Dan Jones, a 36-year-old self-employed IT consultant living near Manchester, revealed that he only receives a 3G signal at his home office. Since Vodafone informed him of the impending shutdown in October, he claims that 4G and 5G services in his area have been virtually non-existent. Faced with these challenges, Jones is contemplating switching providers, emphasizing the impact on his work as an IT consultant who heavily relies on reliable phone connectivity.
The UK government and mobile phone operators have previously announced that all 2G and 3G services will be discontinued by 2033 at the latest, with the 3G networks being shut down first.