New plans have been announced to phase-out Britain’s 2G and 3G mobile networks by the end of 2033.

The measures outlined by the UK Government look to increase the security of telecoms supply chains as well as supporting a “smooth transition” to faster mobile networks such as 5G.

A finalised date for the switch-off has already been agreed with Britain’s mobile-network operators including Vodafone, EE, Virgin Media, O2, and Three.

The plans will free up spectrum – the radio waves used for sending and receiving information – to allow for the mass rollout of 5G and other future networks such as 6G.

Driverless vehicles and drones, immersive VR and AR experiences, as well as tech innovations to fight climate change and improve healthcare could be enabled by the move, as well as revolutionising internet accessibility.

Nadine Dorries, Britain’s Digital Secretary, announced the ambition, alongside £50 million of telecoms research and development projects.

Commenting on the phase-out, Dorries said: “5G technology is already revolutionising people’s lives and businesses – connecting people across the UK with faster mobile data and making businesses more productive.

“Today we are announcing a further £50m to put the UK at the forefront of mobile connectivity and to make sure our telecoms networks are safe and secure now and in the future.”

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Westminster’s announcement of the phase-out follows its recent introduction of the Telecommunications Security Act.

The move will form part of the recently announced £250m strategy to improve the UK’s telecoms supply chains and reduce the world’s reliance on a few equipment makers.

Alongside the phase-out announcement, the government and MNOs have also revealed new plans to accelerate the rollout of new Open Radio Access Networks (Open RAN), enabling mobile networks to be built using a variety of different equipment suppliers.

The new plans include getting 35% of the UK’s mobile network traffic carried over Open RAN by 2030, an increase in funding of £36m to trial the tech across Scotland, Wales, and England, and a further £15m for the SONIC prototype facility for future telecoms tech.

In a statement on Open RAN networks, a government spokesperson said: “Open network architectures will play a key role in enhancing the security and resilience of the networks that we rely on – now more than ever – to keep in touch and do business.

“Following recent decisions, the government has made around the use of high-risk vendors and the introduction of the Telecommunications Security Act, it is right that the government now sets out its ambitions to build a more competitive, innovative, and diverse supply base for telecoms.”

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