Transport / Switch-off of 3G affecting some electric vehicle chargers
A MOBILE operator’s switch-off of 3G signal in Scotland appears to be causing issues with some of Shetland’s electric vehicle chargers.
Shetland Islands Council (SIC) said it was aware of disruption to its charging network, which is understood to be due to O2’s work to switch-off 3G phone signal in Shetland.
A charger has been replaced at the Scalloway school car park, for instance, while some others said to be sporadically working.
The SIC’s environment and estate operations manager Carl Symons said this was part of a wider shut-down of 3G across Scotland.
O2 said it is switching off 3G in phases to focus on 4G mobile data coverage instead, as well as 5G.
Symons confirmed a tender process is underway to upgrade a maximum of 11 public chargers across Shetland to more modern equivalents.
“This is part of an arrangement with Orkney, Western Isles and Argyle and Bute,” he explained.
“The contract is fully funded through Transport Scotland’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Fund (EVIF) and the units are due to be replaced in April/May 2026.
“We’re looking at steps to bring the points back into service as soon as possible.”
He added that the SIC has no control over 3G network conditions or availability.
O2 said it started its 3G switch off in July, with Scotland following in November.
Its website said: “3G has been superseded by 4G and 5G networks over recent years, with the 3G network carrying less and less traffic.
“By focusing investment on our 4G and 5G networks, we’ll be able to further expand and upgrade services, so you can benefit from faster download speeds and higher quality voice calls.”
The company’s 3G network, first launched more than 20 years ago, today carries less than two per cent of all network data.
O2 added that other UK operators are also turning off 3G.
Despite the focus on 4G there remains grumbles around some of the coverage across all operators in Shetland, including in Lerwick.
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