Scotland to lose 3G as the Great Virgin Media O2 Switch-Off continues

Virgin Media O2 switch off its 3G network in Scotland from November 5, starting in the east of the country and Aberdeen and Dundee.

This follows earlier 3G switch-offs in parts of England. The operator plans to close its entire 3G network by the end of 2025, in line with a 2021 government and industry agreement.

Virgin Media O2’s 3G network was launched more than 20 years ago but now accounts for less than two per cent of total data traffic. Reallocating spectrum to 4G and 5G will support faster data speeds, higher quality voice calls, and improved reliability, the company said. Some 3G spectrum has already been repurposed for 5G, with upgraded sites live in Durham and further rollouts planned in the coming months.

Virgin Media O2 has also upgraded masts across Scotland, including more than 180 sites under the Shared Rural Network programme. The company invests around £2 million per day to meet rising demand for data.

Jeanie York, Virgin Media O2’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “3G will soon be replaced by faster, more reliable, and more energy-efficient 4G and 5G networks. We have already withdrawn 3G in several UK locations, and in November we’ll be turning our attention to large areas of Scotland.”

The switch-off will also affect MVNOs such as Tesco Mobile and giffgaff..

Earlier this year, Virgin Media O2 strengthened its spectrum position with a £343m acquisition of 78.8 MHz, bringing its total holding to around 30% of the UK market.

The company first announced its 3G retirement plans two years ago. It says 4G now covers 99 per cent of the UK population, while 5G availability has reached 77 per cent.