In January 2024 EE will be switching off their 3G network

All UK mobile network operators have committed to closing their 3G networks. EE will be saying goodbye to 3G in 2024 so that they can focus on strengthening their newer and more reliable 4G and 5G networks to give a better connectivity experience.

The switch off isn’t just happening in the UK. 3G networks are being switched off across the world – meaning that if your device doesn’t support 4G or 5G, then you may not be able to make calls (including to the emergency services) or use data roaming while abroad.

By now, you may have heard about the switch off plans and how you could be impacted. This page will help you understand why the 3G network is being switch off and how you can stay connected to a quicker, more reliable 4G or 5G network.

If you are still using a 3G device, you will no longer be able to access EE’s 3G network, resulting in no mobile data service access after 3G is switched off. This means you will no longer be able to access the internet or messaging apps such as WhatsApp. You will still be able to make and receive calls and texts on their 2G network.

What you need to do…

  • Upgrade your 3G handset / device to a 4G or 5G compatible handset / device.
  • Upgrade your 3G SIM to a 4G or 5G SIM
  • Update your tariff from a 3G tariff to a 4G or 5G tariff.

For further information on Upgrading your device, sim or tariff …… Just get in touch with us on 02920752628, or via our contact us page!!

Are you ready for The Big Switch Off?!?

What is the PSTN Switch Off?

We’re all familiar with the copper wire telephone network: in use since 1876, it’s kept business communications’ going for years. But that’s all about to change!!!!

In 2025, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is being switched off by BT Openreach, which means everyone, including businesses, currently using PSTN-based services will need to move to another service before then.

The alternative? Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a solution that transmits voice calls and data using an internet connection.

This is a major step towards the United Kingdom’s mass IP-network migration, with VoIP core networks set to replace all the legacy PSTN services in just a few years’ time.

In parallel to switching off the PSTN network, Openreach are rolling out their fibre broadband network.

To expedite the transition between networks, Openreach have identified and published a list of Priority Exchanges throughout the British Isles where they will be focusing their efforts to get FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) rolled out. When FTTP is available to more than 75% of properties within the catchment of an exchange then everyone (business and consumer) will need to move to an IP service!

When is the PSTN Switch off Happening?

BT Openreach has announced it intends to switch off the traditional, copper-based telephone network in 2025. This is commonly referred to as the PSTN Switch Off.  While 2025 may seem a while away, from December 2023 you won’t be able to purchase any new ISDN or PSTN-based services, with many locations affected by a stop sell much sooner than that.

Why should I care?

The PSTN Switch Off will affect all businesses currently operating using PSTN and ISDN services. If you fall into this category, you will need to move to the new network to keep your phone and your number working.

The All IP network delivers voice calls using the same infrastructure as data and using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology.

What is VoIP?

Simply put, VoIP uses a company’s existing internet connection to transmit voice calls. When it was first introduced, this solution seemed like a dangerous choice, as it completely relies on the quality of the internet connection to guarantee stable calls.

Nowadays, the speed of most broadband is fast enough to negate any problems around call quality. VoIP telephony is a simpler option than it sounds, requiring a lot less hardware than legacy systems.

It is delivered by Over the top (OTT) applications to which new features are added regularly, it gives your business more flexibility and it can be used on a variety of devices – from desk phones to mobiles, tablets, and computers.

The latest 5G Handsets

 

iPhone 14

The iPhone 14 is a powerful tool for your business. Advanced camera systems and brilliant displays. Durable designs. Fast, intelligent, and power-efficient chips. Hold a meeting with up to 32people with Group FaceTime, scan documents or take and mark up photos on the go. And you’ll find thousands of apps to suit your business on the App Store. They’re also built for privacy and security, so you can be sure that all your businesses information is safe. 5G on EE means you’ll get it all done quicker than ever!

Samsung Galaxy S23

The Galaxy S23 Series is packed with all the tools, applications, security and support you need for your business to thrive. Built for business, the Galaxy S23 Series allows you to work quickly – and for longer – with powerful mobile chipsets, and longest lasting batteries. View your work at its best with the most impressive Samsung phone display yet and free your creativity with the embedded S Pen. Get ready to experience and share the epic.

Oppo Reno8

Oppo Reno8 5G is the latest smartphone in Oppo’s premium Reno series of smartphones. The fresh new Streamlined Unibody Design provides a seamless experience that feels like a premium piece of art in your hand. An impressive spec is the phone’s 80W charging, which powers the device from empty to full in just 30 minutes!

OnePlus 11

The OnePlus 11 5G flagship combines power with effortless elegance. Driven by the most extreme hardware in OnePlus history, dial every possibility up to 11. The OnePlus 11 5G is the Shape of Power. Powered for maximum performance with a 417mAh battery the GTR 2 has a battery life of up to 11 days with typical use and 6 days with heavy usage.

5G… what you need to know…

5G is here and we cannot wait for you to experience all the benefits it brings, but what are the benefits, here’s our top three reasons to get excited!!

A better connection in busy places

If you have ever struggled to get online while at a music festival or in a stadium, even though you appear to have a full signal, you’ll know how frustrating it is when your content eventually uploads much later or sometimes not at all. This happens when too many people try to connect in one place at the same time – networks reach their limit, and everything slows down.

With 5G, our network will give you a more reliable connection in the busiest of places and at the busiest times.  That is because 5G has a greater bandwidth than 4G and can support more devices. So you can stream sports in a stadium, download videos at a busy train station and share photos while partying at a music festival.

Faster speeds, better quality

5G gives you faster mobile speeds than ever before, making everyday tasks on your Smartphone feel super quick.

You will be able to download films onto your phone in seconds instead of minutes, so if you are stuck for something to watch on the way home from work you can quickly fill up your phone with the latest blockbusters and box sets. How about when you are trying to download that important document in time for a business meeting or retrieve that email to forward in double quick time!

You’ll be able to stream in the highest resolutions for an overall better experience.

Instant Connection

5G gives you an almost instant internet connection. So whether you want to play a video, load a document or control smart devices in your home, everything feels super quick with 5G.

The faster speeds at which our 5G network responds to your commands is really important for the gamers, because it responds even more quickly to your button commands. What’s more, 5G opens up exciting possibilities for the new augmented and virtual reality experiences, which could transform the way you play games on the move.

Fixed Line and System Services from General Communications

Partnered with Openreach, BT Wholesale, Gamma, Virgin, Entanet, Talk Talk Business and Plusnet in order to recommend the most suitable solution for your business.

We aim to provide you with ……..

  • Simplified pricing structures, no minimum call or connection charges.
  • Seamless connectivity process to ensure no risk of disruption to your services.
  • Dedicated account management to proactively manage your communications needs and costs.
  • An extensive range of telecommunication services to meet all of your current and future needs.

Some of the services we offer are……….

    • Traditional lines (ISDN and PSTN)
    • Reduced call charges
    • Broadband connectivity
    • Ethernet services (Lease Lines, EFM, GEA, EoFTTC)
    • Private area networks
    • Hosted Systems

    • Conferencing

    • Inbound numbers
    • Traditional systems
    • SIP (Voip for Business)
    • Maintenance

Typically we can Save over 20% from your current costs!!

 

Being an EE Principal Partner, what does this mean for you?

Hello…

At EE, we want to ensure we provide our customers with the best service possible. As a result we have devised the EE Partner Programme, for which we hand-pick dealers in the UK to work closely with us. Together, we provide new and existing business customers with a fantastic range of device and communication solutions tailored to their needs, in addition to great network coverage and exceptional customer service.

To be part of the EE Partner Programme, dealers are scored against a strict set of criteria. We are pleased to confirm that General Communications has met these criteria and has been categorised as a Principal Partner, meaning we classify them as one of the top dealers in the UK today. I am delighted to continue working with Andrew Comrie and the team at General Communications to ensure we keep offering customers the best solutions for their specific needs.

Darren Goldsmith – Head of Business Sales – Everything Everywhere

I am pleased to have established such an effective working relationship with EE and the obvious benefits this brings to our customers. We work closely with all our customers to fully understand the specific needs of their business from small businesses to large corporate accounts.

Offering an exceptional level of customer service and finding the right mobile telecommunications plan for every customer is of paramount importance to us. Around 80% of UK businesses are paying too much for their mobile bills and we aim to bring this number down as much as possible.

By choosing EE through General Communications, customers not only get the benefits of a fantastic network but will also be assured of our expertise and dedicated approach to managing their account.

At General Communications, we are excited as the launch of Everything Everywhere approaches and the launch of 4G network coverage within the UK. We are committed to our links with Orange, T-Mobile and  now EE as these changes take place and we are excited with the prospects of continuing to offer our expertise to our new and existing customers by being able to also offer this service to our range.

Andrew Comrie – General Communications

Why General Communications?

General communications is an independent telecommunications company established in 1990. We have enjoyed a close working relationship with Orange since the company’s inception and we were one of the original 12 Business Specialist Partners appointed by Orange in 1996. Being recognised as an EE Principal Partner further endorses the confidence EE has in us as a business partner.

At General Communications, we specialise in establishing the best possible plan for our customers and have helped thousands of the UK companies of every size achieve this. For every new business customer, we analyse a cross-section of historic bills using our unique software to recalculate every call made within a billing period against a range of different tariffs. We then provide a complete analysis comparing the customer’s current payments and what they should be paying. The analysis also takes account of any minimum charges, bundled call and discount schemes.

Finding the right business tariff for our customers is just one way we strive to deliver an exceptional level of service. Every new customer is allocated an account manager who will personally review and advise on their existing plan, subsequently monitor the account and deal with any problems should they arise. We allowing them to focus on their business are constantly meeting this means our customers have peace of mind that their mobile telecommunications needs.

About EE and the Partner Programme

EE has been a supplier to businesses since 1994 (Previously Orange) and has a strong foothold in the UK and international business markets. We aspire to be a market leader by marrying innovation, reactivity and dynamism with an absolute commitment to delivering against the needs of our business customers.

In the UK, EE provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the population and 3G coverage to more that 93%. At the end of December 2009, Orange had more than 17.4 million customers in the UK – 16.5 million active mobile customers and approximately 900,000 fixed line internet customers.

We recognise the level of service required by business customers to give security and confidence as well as delivering competitive advantage through the use and support of data applications and as mobile voice.

We are confident that our partnership with General communications ensures that customers benefit from our combined expertise and understanding of customer needs to ensure we are able to provide ideal solutions for businesses.