Virgin Media O2 (O2), United Kingdom: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Virgin Media O2 (O2) plans to switch off 2G in 2029 and switched off 3G in December 2025, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in the United Kingdom.
2G and 3G status at Virgin Media O2 (O2)
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Planned | 2029 | medium | ispreview.co.uk, gov.uk O2 will start switching off 2G in summer 2029; no completion date given. Government backstop: 2033. |
| 3G | Switched off | December 2025 | medium | ispreview.co.uk, ispreview.co.uk Phased switch-off during 2025; ISPreview (Jun 2026) says it was completed at the end of 2025, while VMO2 said in Dec 2025 some 3G signal could remain in a few places in early 2026. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on Virgin Media O2 (O2)
- 2G devices keep working until the shutdown (2029). Replace 2G-only devices before that date; once the network closes, they lose service on Virgin Media O2 (O2).
- 3G fallback no longer works on Virgin Media O2 (O2). Devices built for 3G (UMTS) or that fall back to it lose service; 4G devices with 2G fallback are not affected by this closure.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in the United Kingdom: no law we found restricts permanent roaming; mobile operators set the terms. Details on the United Kingdom page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in the United Kingdom
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| EE | Planned, May 2029 | Switched off, February 2024 |
| Three UK (VodafoneThree) | not tracked | Switched off, November 2025 |
| Vodafone UK (VodafoneThree) | Planned, 2030 | Switched off, February 2024 |
All operators and both rules for the United Kingdom: IoT connectivity in the United Kingdom. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Virgin Media O2 (O2) switch off 2G in the United Kingdom?
Virgin Media O2 (O2) plans to switch off 2G in 2029. O2 will start switching off 2G in summer 2029; no completion date given. Government backstop: 2033.
When did Virgin Media O2 (O2) switch off 3G in the United Kingdom?
Virgin Media O2 (O2) switched off its 3G network in December 2025. Phased switch-off during 2025; ISPreview (Jun 2026) says it was completed at the end of 2025, while VMO2 said in Dec 2025 some 3G signal could remain in a few places in early 2026.