O2 is pulling the plug on its 2G network, marking the end of an era for the decades-old technology.

The 2G network powered early mobiles back in the 1990s. You're able to make phone calls or send standard text messages. Since it wasn't originally designed for basic internet usage, its max speeds won't let you stream video, play games, or load modern apps on your mobile.

By retiring it, Virgin Media O2 is planning to redirect those airwaves to faster, more modern services like 4G and 5G connectivity.

Jeanie York, Chief Technology Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "We're investing £700m this year to transform our mobile network and ensure it can keep pace with growing consumer demand. As we look to the future, we'll be switching off the old 2G network so we can double down on providing all customers with the reliable and efficient 4G and 5G mobile services they expect."

The move comes hot on the heels of the company successfully shutting down its 3G services at the end of 2025.

The 2G network currently handles less than 0.5% of all data traffic on Virgin Media O2's system. That's a tiny amount, yet it gobbles up more than 10% of the company's total cell site energy.

By freeing up that spectrum and shifting it to 4G and 5G, customers are meant to enjoy faster speeds and more reliable connections.

The company has also signed up to a Government-led voluntary charter designed to ensure coverage stays strong and customers get proper support throughout the transition.

Ms York said: "Having recently switched off our 3G network and signed up to the government 2G switch-off charter, we know exactly how to do this responsibly and without disrupting customers. While most customers won't need to take any action at all, some businesses might need to start planning for this now."

For most people, there's nothing to worry about – you won't need to lift a finger.

But if you're still using an older handset that only works on 2G, or your business relies on select devices connected through the network, you'll need to upgrade before summer 2029 to avoid losing service.

The company has promised to reach out to you if you're affected well ahead of time and will have dedicated support pages and trained staff ready to help with any questions.

It's not just O2 customers who need to pay attention, either. The switch-off will also affect users on giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, and Sky Mobile, since these networks all run on O2's infrastructure.

Other network providers like EE have similar plans to shut down their 2G network in May 2029. Vodafone is planning to sunset its 2G network in 2030.