Ofcom has warned that deaf people may be unable to make calls to emergency services with the shut down of 3G networks, according to a Daily Telegraph report.
The regulator has cautioned that the 3G switch-off could result in people with older mobile phones losing access to the service provided to British Sign Language users.
It has also told MNOs to give affected customers adequate notice of three to six months to ensure they can acquire and set up a new handset, as well as to use a range of communication methods to meet their needs and provide extra help for those who need it.
Currently, deaf people can contact the emergency services through a video call system known as emergency video relay.
The MNOs have begun switching off their 3G networks to free up space for newer and more reliable 4G and 5G networks.EE and Vodafone have already shut down their 3G, while Three has said it aims to do so by the end of the year. O2 is due to start its switch-off in 2025.
Standard emergency voice calls run on the 2G network, which will remain until later in the decade.
But the emergency video relay service requires a data connection, meaning that when 3G is shut down it will only be able to operate on phones that are compatible with 4G and 5G networks.
The UK’s emergency call system was taken offline for 10.5 hours in June last year due to an outage on BT’s network, affecting almost 14,000 calls to police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services.
Ofcom said that BT was ill-equipped to deal with the “catastrophic” outage and issued it with with a £17.5 million fine.
The 3G switch-off also risks outages on other devices, ranging from house alarms to vending machines and pay and display machines.
A spokesman for Mobile UK, which represents MNOs, said, “All UK operators have either completed or are in the process of retiring the 3G technology used in their mobile networks. As part of this process, they have been communicating with impacted customers to provide support as part of the UK’s wider embrace of more reliable mobile networks like 4G and 5G.
“In the event a person has no mobile signal with their own operator, 999 calls automatically roam onto any available network from another operator.”
A government spokesman, said, “We want to ensure strong, reliable mobile coverage which is why we’re rolling out 4G and 5G across the country, and our officials regularly meet with the industry to ensure older networks are retired in a safe way.
“Ofcom is pushing providers to identify users who may need to replace or update their mobile devices and support them during the transition. This includes giving at least three to six months’ notice of the steps they need to take and communicating using a range of methods to ensure awareness.”