topic Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question. in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:23:56 GMT

This query is time limited in that any answer is needed urgently! 🙂

I have an old, non contract, Tesco Mobile PAYG 2G mobile phone. Does anyone know if any CP still offers any kind of TRUE (not rolling 30 days) PAYG SIM service so I have the option of possibly keeping this going as a kind of 'backup' phone? (Ironically I know Tesco does - however that is on their new accounting system. i.e. 4G)

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

jab1 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:33:34 GMT

@pvmb AFAIK - and I could be wrong - the answer is no. I think I read somewhere that the 2G system is discontinued.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:41:42 GMT

@jab1

No, the 2G system has not been discontinued - it will be eventually. The 3G network was finally shut down by O2 at the end of February. But I fear you may be right about nobody providing traditional PAYG charging SIMs anymore.

With Tesco, it is the closing down of their legacy mobile phone accounting system - that my ~20 year mobile account was on - which has done for my 2G mobile's future rather than no 2G service coverage from O2. AFAIK.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

jab1 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 09:42:55 GMT

OK.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

Baldrick1 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:04:11 GMT

@pvmb

Look at Giffgaff. As long as you switch on every 6 months with a few pounds in the account the service remains. It you need to use it in earnest, you can buy a one month ‘goody bag’.

I believe that they operate on the O2 2g network as well as the newer versions.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

HPsauce — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:07:43 GMT

@pvmb I'm pretty sure 2G is still up and running, we researched this question fairly recently as someone we know wanted a non-smart phone (with big buttons) and I donated them an old one we had once used by an elderly relative.

It's definitely working but I'm not sure what network they're on, pretty sure it's O2 or GiffGaff (runs on O2) though. I'll try to find out.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

mystreet1 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 10:30:28 GMT

Bit of reading about 2g and 3g here. 2g is here to 3033, but it depends on who your provider is.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/3g-switch-off

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:12:57 GMT

Thanks @HPsauce.

I've ordered a free SIM from giffgaff, Interestingly, they use O2 as their carrier and their PAYG rates seem the same as the Tesco Mobile (also O2 carrier - now on 4G) ones. Expensive!

Have to see how this goes, don't know if it will work in my old Nokia! I have also sent a request to Tesco to unlock my Nokia. But I have left this all rather late in the day - Tesco SIM due to pack up on some unknown date this month.

Still, it's not really essential. 😊

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:32:20 GMT

@mystreet1 wrote:
Bit of reading about 2g and 3g here. 2g is here to 3033, but it depends on who your provider is.
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/coverage-and-speeds/3g-switch-off

3033? I should be so lucky! 🤣

Yes, what is actually going on with traditional mobile **telephone** services - have only come to understand(?) this relatively recently - is the same thing as is happenning to the landline PSTN system. They are being closed down!

The only digital mobile **telephone** services, in the traditional sense (circuit switched), were the original 2G and 3G services. 4G was, originally, a digital data service for users of (2G, 3G) mobile telephones. 3G has now gone, so, like future home phones (ex 'landlines') all phone calls are just data. Mobile calls are now sent by VoLTE ('Voice over Long Term Evolution') through the 4G data network (or via Wi-Fi Calling) as all home phones will in future be going by VoIP ('Voice over Internet Protocol').

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

HPsauce — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:07:03 GMT

@pvmb It's ALL been digital (mobile and landline) for a VERY LONG time, only the local link might still be analogue. BT doesn't put analogue signals down the optic fibres or microwave links between their exchanges, not sure it ever did.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:19:26 GMT

It may all have been digital for a long time, but I was surprised to learn that 2G and 3G mobile phone systems were, under the skin, based on circuit switched systems (the PSTN?). It's circuit switching that is being finally wound up. Electrical communications over electric circuits started with the Electric Telegraph in the 19th century.

Mind you, with the Internet, the Telegram lives on - in the guise of the Datagram!

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 18:43:09 GMT

Tonight at 8pm on BBC4 -

Dial B for Britain: The Story of the Landline

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

AyToZed — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 23:00:05 GMT

I have yet to turn on VOLTE on my Tesco PAYG mobile. (Despite repeated 'prompts' from Tesco Mobile).

I can still call out and have an incoming call and receive text messages. There is a connection delay on voice calls, which makes me suspect there's something going on in the background which isn't visible to me.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

RPMozley — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 01:30:18 GMT

@pvmb wrote:

Does anyone know if any CP still offers any kind of TRUE (not rolling 30 days) PAYG SIM service so I have the option of possibly keeping this going as a kind of 'backup' phone?

Not too many PAYG model providers left. ASDA (although they push a lot for you to switch when visiting the site when looking at your account & normal prices aren't exactly great) and less well known RWG mobile (always the possibility they might close unexpectedly since they're small).

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

HPsauce — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:35:23 GMT

@pvmb FYI I have a "backup" phone with a PAYG GiffGaff SIM in it, does the job. Though mines probably a little newer, an 10 years old iPhone.

I keep a little credit on it and, as noted above, you need to spend a little (I usually send a text for 10p) every now and again to keep it "alive" and not lose the number.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

pvmb — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:56:29 GMT

@AyToZed wrote:

I have yet to turn on VOLTE on my Tesco PAYG mobile. (Despite repeated 'prompts' from Tesco Mobile).

I can still call out and have an incoming call and receive text messages. There is a connection delay on voice calls, which makes me suspect there's something going on in the background which isn't visible to me.

As 3G has now closed down, if you are not using VoLTE, then your network calls must now be going via 2G. What Tesco tariff are you on? Beware, if you are still on the old Tesco accounting system, your existing phone arrangement likely won't see the month out.

I know someone who had a transitional phone, 3G/4G, and they were bumped by Tesco from the old system to the new one, which caused them much tariff confusion (not being technically minded). But as their old phone's battery then packed up they had to buy a new 4G phone - the identical model to mine.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

AyToZed — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 00:17:52 GMT

I've been through the mangle of the migration with Tesco (end of last year). I rejected their montly plan. I am (still) on a PAYG tariff. The call charges ain't cheap, but I very rarely use the mobile for outbound voice calls. I also rarely use it for outbound text messages. It is an emergency backup for outbound comms.

The display on the mobile shows ...

4G1 (for the single SIM that is in a phone which can take two SIMs?).

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

Xanadu_2 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 03:52:47 GMT

@pvmb wrote:

...Does anyone know if any CP still offers any kind of TRUE (not rolling 30 days) PAYG SIM service...

Search eBay for "O2 Classic PAYG SIM".

You will need to activate it with a £10 top-up and then "...carry out any chargeable activity at least once in any six month period..." to keep it alive.

Classic Pay As You Go

...or there is RWG Mobile

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

MisterW — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:02:25 GMT

Search eBay for "O2 Classic PAYG SIM".

I think you'll find that tariff is no longer available.

Giffgaff still do have a true PAYG option but its well hidden on the website.

You just get a free SIM and add £10 credit. You must make at least one chargeable call/text every 6 months to keep the sim active.

PAYG rates are not cheap though https://www.giffgaff.com/pricing. You need to make sure data is disabled on the phone otherwise your credit will dissappear rapidly...

I still keep a Giffgaff PAYG sim as my 'backup' in the 2nd sim slot.

Re: 2G or not 2G? That is the question.

jab1 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:24:17 GMT

I pay £6.00/pm for unlimited calls/texts and 4GB data, with any unused data rolling over to the next month. Usually means I have nearly 8GB of data at the beginning of month 2.