When They Turn Off 3G

[Gill1941]

will I still be able to use my phone?
I do not understand most of what I have read on the subject and hope someone will be able to explain.
I have a mobile with EE which I use solely for calls and texts (rarely) no Internet.
Will I need to upgrade to 4G or not?
Only really used occasionally but need for emergencies etc as am disabled and live alone.

[youngmafbog]

3G/4G/5G are for data.

[Gill1941]

Sorry. Still do not understand.
Will I have to change my phone?

[barry1010]

You will be able to use your phone for calls and texts. It will only access the internet over wifi.

[youngmafbog]

My apologies, I had to answer a query so submitted what I had already writtne.

Yes, Barry has said it now.

[perseverer]

From ofcom

Customers using the EE, Vodafone and O2 networks with an older device will still be able to make calls and send text messages after 3G switch-off. These services can use the 2G network, which isn’t being switched off yet. But the 2G network was not designed to work for accessing data services, so customers with older devices will no longer be able to access most of their mobile data services after 3G switch-off (although where older devices can connect to Wi-Fi, customers can still use this to access data services).

Three doesn’t have a 2G network, so if you’re using the Three network and have an older device that doesn’t allow you to use 4G or 5G, you’ll need to replace it to make sure you can continue to make calls, send text messages and access mobile data after 2024.

[Gill1941]

Thank you everyone.
That's an expense spared and one worry less!
I wish the media would make it clearer for us technophobes.

[barry1010]

What phone have you got, Gill? Make and model, please, I'm just nosey

[Gill1941]

Very basic, barry.
Doro 6520.
My son used to try and upgrade me but I can get Internet at home and certainly don't want to bother when I'm out.

[barry1010]

It suits you and works, that is all that matters