49 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

  I rarely switch my data connection on at all.

Never used it at all - like you, use Wi-Fi if necessary (but not for anything needing security) but normally use another device for internet anyway.

1 hour ago, pcaouolte said:

3G isn't needed for SMS (texts) or calls. Those still use the 2G network which hasn't been switched off

Yes, that was my understanding. I suspect Tesco and other providers imagine that we're all members of that strange zombie race who walk round staring at phones connected to various social media, hence all the dire warnings. Someone like me who just does the very occasional call or text is probably not on their radar.😄

 

 

On 1/13/2026 at 1:01 PM, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Rather annoyingly, the maps on the various signal checking sites (including O2's) are not up to date, so according to them we have 2/3/4G here. Elsewhere on the O2 site it does say that they have switched it off, though!

O2/Tesco have finally updated their coverage map which confirms we no longer have 3G. I think we were among the last areas to have it. My signal is now the strongest I've ever had here - full 5 bars, we rarely saw even 3 previously.

On 1/13/2026 at 1:23 PM, TomsFocus said:

I rarely switch my data connection on at all.  Just use wifi for internet when needed

Took my phone out with me today (very rare occurrence!) and just as an experiment switched on mobile data when well out of range of home Wi-Fi or hotspots. 4G symbol popped up immediately, and sent myself an email to my back up email address as final proof it works.

I wonder how many people have been bounced into prematurely swapping their phone due to misinformation from O2/Tesco?