23 years and six months after it first came online, Three UK has successfully retired its namesake 3G network. The shutdown, years in the planning, finally took place on the morning of 27 November 2025.
By retiring 3G, VodafoneThree– the company recently created from the merger of Three UK and Vodafone UK – is able to reuse those radio frequencies for 4G and 5G services instead. These newer technologies are faster, more reliable, can serve greater numbers of customers and also use far less energy.
The shutdown of Three’s 3G networks has been years in the making, predating its merger with Vodafone UK. A targeted campaign was mounted to reach, inform and assist the minority of Three customers who were still using 3G-only devices.
Of Three’s 16,000 network masts, only 3,000 were 3G-only. These were not only upgraded to 4G and 5G; the software of many were also upgraded with Multi-Operator Core Network technology. This enables Vodafone customers to use their signal – a key initial phase of VodafoneThree’s plan to build the UK’s best network.
All this work was methodically undertaken in tandem with changes to Three’s core network. This ensured, for example, that there was no disruption in service for customers of MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) that use Three’s network (such as SMARTY) or for foreign visitors to the UK roaming on Three’s network.
The shutdown of Three UK’s 3G network follows Vodafone’s retirement of its 3G network in 2024.
