Thousands of smartphones to stop working properly after massive EE network change

Many older smartphones are set to lose Internet connectivity when EE cuts off its 3G network next year - including iPhone and Android handsets that rely on 3G to go online

Ciarn Daly Technology reporter

13:05, 21 Jun 2023

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

[Many older smartphones are set to lose Internet connectivity when EE cuts off its 3G network next year - including iPhone and Android handsets that rely on 3G to go online]

Old smartphones are set to lose 3G connectivity over the next year - will you be affected?(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

If you're the owner of an aging smartphone on the EE network, bad news: you're going to lose your mobile Internet access soon.

The UK EE has announced it is shutting down its 3G network for good from next year, which means older handsets reliant on 3G will no longer be able to connect online.

Older Samsung, Nokia and iPhone models are affected, although they'll still be able to connect to Wi-Fi and get online that way.

Newer phones use 4G or even 5G, so many people aren't reliant on 3G anymore. However, certain older devices still are.

[LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2019/01/20: EE brand logo seen in Carnaby Street in London, UK. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)]

EE will shutter its 3G network early in 2024(Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)

The 3G smartphones used by EE's customers on pay monthly contracts include:

Apple iPhone 4
Apple iPhone 4S
Samsung Galaxy Ace
Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini
Doro 6520, 6521 and 6620
Nokia 301
Nokia C2-01
TCL Pixi 4

However, there are other devices which are 3G-only that EE customers might still be using on a pay-as-you-go contract.

Many of these smartphones aren't even made or sold anymore by their manufacturers, and in the case of the iPhone devices, no longer receive vital system software updates or security patches.

[dissatisfied woman waving her hand showing at the phone looking at the camera with her mouth open frowning her eyebrows lowering her eyes down on a white background bad delivery dissatisfaction]

It might be time to upgrade your device anyway as many are no longer supported with software updates(Image: Getty Images)

So if you're clinging onto your old tech it's probably a good idea to trade in your old device for a new one anyway.

Customers of other networks including Three and Vodafone will also be affected as the 3G network is shut down next year.

Article continues below

Greg McCall, Chief Networks Officer at BT, said: "Our 3G network will be switched off in early 2024.

"While this wont affect the vast majority of our customers, we will offer support for those who are still using old, incompatible devices."

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.

[Google Preferred Source Badge]

At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.