AN international mobile company has confirmed it is switching off one of its wireless services across the city.

Vodafone, one of the largest British telecommunication companies in the world, is turning off its 3G coverage across Colchester within the next few weeks.

3G is a form of phone signal coverage that allows you to call, text, and use the internet and data services when you’re not at home using the internet via a Wi-Fi router.

Introduced over 20 years ago, 3G has speeds high enough to allow for basic phone data services but it is relatively slower than 4G and 5G which are most used across the UK today.

Vodafone is phasing out its 3G coverage in the UK this year in effort to strengthen its 4G and 5G services.

Vodafone’s UK Chief Network Officer, Andrea Dona, said: “Our 3G switch off programme has gone extremely well so far. 

“As a result of our ongoing network improvements, data traffic has declined over the last few years with less than 2 per cent of the data used on our network being on 3G.

“This means we can start to redeploy its remaining spectrum to our 4G and 5G services, ultimately leading to stronger and faster coverage for more parts of the UK.”

The Gazette has contacted Vodafone for the switch-off date.