You may have heard that 3G networks are being phased out across the UK. This is happening as network providers shift their focus to the faster, more efficient 4G and 5G technologies.
Why is this happening?
Simply put, 3G is becoming obsolete. With the vast majority of data traffic now handled by 4G and 5G, maintaining the 3G infrastructure is no longer practical.
What’s the current status?
- Vodafone and EE have already switched off their 3G networks.
- O2 is currently phasing out its 3G network, with a complete shutdown scheduled for October 2025.
While 2G will remain active for the foreseeable future, primarily for services like smart meters and street lighting, 3G terminals will fall back to using 2G connections. This will result in significantly slower transaction times.
How does this affect you?
We’ve observed that the 3G network shutdown is already impacting the performance of certain card payment terminals. Specifically, the following GPRS/SIM Only models are affected:
- Ingenico Move3500GPRS
- Ingenico Move5000
- Spire SPg7 GPRS
- Castles V3M2 3G
As O2 completes its 3G shutdown in October 2025, we anticipate further disruptions and slower transaction speeds for these terminals.
Don’t suffer the payment lag!
We strongly encourage our clients/members to check if they are using these affected terminals to take advantage of our free, no-obligation review.
- Avoid transaction delays: Ensure your payment processing remains smooth and efficient.
- Improve customer experience: Reduce wait times and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Explore cost-saving options: Discover potential savings by upgrading to newer, faster technology.
By proactively addressing the 3G network shutdown, you can safeguard your business against potential disruptions and ensure a seamless payment experience for your customers.
