Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Virgin Media O2’s 3G network, Vodafone Ireland, info-sharing system in Japan, among others.
Virgin Media O2 Begins 3G Shutdown in Four UK Cities to Enhance 4G and 5G Networks
Virgin Media O2 is deactivating its 3G network in Norwich, Telford, Guildford, and Torquay as part of a nationwide upgrade to 4G and 5G services. The 3G shutdown will start on July 16 in Norwich, Telford, and Guildford, with Torquay following on August 4. The full transition is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Customers using 3G-only devices must upgrade to 4G or 5G-compatible phones to continue accessing mobile data. Virgin Media O2 is contacting affected customers and providing support, including discounted or free devices for vulnerable users. Customers can visit local O2 stores for assistance and recycle old devices through O2 Recycle.
Vodafone Leads Irish Telecom with Major Network Upgrades and Tech Partnerships
Vodafone Ireland was named the top mobile network for the ninth year by Umlaut, an independent benchmarking organization. The evaluation covered over 200 networks in more than 120 countries, assessing mobile and fixed broadband services. Vodafone scored 922 out of 1000, the highest for a mobile network in Ireland, and was named “Best Choice” for broadband and mobile converged services. Vodafone invested €300 million in network upgrades over three years, with an additional €500 million planned over five years. These investments focus on improving call and text reliability, expanding 4G and 5G coverage, and moving from 3G to 4G and 5G networks. Vodafone partners with IBM to integrate multi-cloud systems and prepare for AI, 5G, and Software-Defined Networking.
Japan’s Top Telecoms Unite to Boost Disaster Response with New Info-Sharing System
Japan’s major telecom companies — NTT Group, KDDI, SoftBank, and Rakuten Mobile — have launched a collaborative information-sharing system to improve disaster response. This system allows carriers to share data on evacuation centers, including communication and charging service status. Contact details for each carrier’s services at evacuation centers are displayed, and support services are accessible to all users regardless of their subscribed carrier. The companies plan to enhance cooperation by dividing responsibilities for evacuation center support and expanding assistance to disaster-affected areas. This project is part of the “Connect to Change” program and aims to improve coordination among telecom providers during emergencies.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
