Bye bye 3G – Hello 4G

Technology advancements are part and parcel of each new generation of mobile technology (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, etc.). As the newer technologies continue to improve, older technologies are decommissioned meaning they are switched off and are no longer available. This is what will happen to all our 3G plans in 2023, for example Simply Value.

Why are we changing?

Many operators across the EU have already started to turn off their 3G network as part of plans to improve 4G and 5G services for their customers, while also doing their bit for the environment as modern networks are more energy efficient. We want to ensure that you remain connected and reassure you that we are here to help you with making the switch to 4G. The added benefits of moving to 4G means you’ll have a better call quality and a faster and more reliable internet connection.

Beat the rush, change over now.

If you want to get ahead of the curve and move to one of our great 4G plans, you can see the benefits of each one in the table below. Once you are ready, you can join one of these plans by following some easy steps here.

Main characteristics	Your current plan "Simply Value"	Option 1 "Prepay 15"	Option 2 "Prepay Data Plus"
Top Up Amount	€15	€15	€15
Allowance period	Every 28 days	Every 28 days	Every 28 days
Credit	€15 Credit	€15 Credit	No additional credit
Credit expiry, if not used	6 months expiry on main account credit (see terms)	28 days expiry on plan credit	12 months expiry on main account credit
Data	10GB	15GB (30GB with Clubcard)	100GB
Data Access	3G	4G	4G
Any Network Minutes	Unlimited	Unlimited	500 (1000 with Clubcard)
Any Network Texts	-	-	500
Tesco Mobile Calls	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
Tesco Mobile Texts	Unlimited	Unlimited	Unlimited
EU Roming Data FUP	12.2GB	12.2GB	12.2GB
Terms & Conditions	Simply Value Terms	Prepay 15 Terms	Prepay Data Plus Terms

All Prepay Out of Bundle rates remain the same no matter what plan you’re on - See Other Call Charges.

Joining is easy.

Text JOIN PREPAY 15 or JOIN PLUS to 1744 to switch your plan across
1. JOIN PREPAY 15 to 1744 for option 1 or
2. JOIN PLUS to 1744 for option 2
Make sure you receive a Confirmation Message to confirm your new plan before topping up, usually within 10 minutes or so.
Then the next time you want to Top Up you will get your new allowances for 28 days, provided you top up by a minimum of €15 in one go. It’s that easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here we answer your most important questions about 4G data on Tesco Mobile.

Will 2G be switched off too?

No, not yet as it provides core voice coverage, so we won’t be switching off our 2G network anytime soon.

When will 3G be switched off?

We’ll be switching off our 3G network in 2023, so there’s still time to move over to our 4G enabled Plans.

Why is 3G being switched off?

Twenty years ago, 3G was ideal for the way we used phones and communicated. Since then, technology has continued to grow and improve, which means the focus is now on making our 4G network even better.
Once 3G is switched off, that part of the network can be used to boost the speed and capacity of 4G – so you’ll enjoy faster and more reliable connections.

What will happen if I don’t upgrade to 4G?

If you haven’t moved over to 4G when 3G is switched off, and you have a 3G phone, you’ll be switched over to our 2G network. This means you’ll still have a voice service, but your data connection and service will be impacted significantly – it’ll be a lot slower and quality reduced.
To make sure you have the best possible connection, we can help you find the right solution. We also have additional support from retail stores and customer service teams, ready to answer any questions you have.

Will I be contacted about the 3G switch off?

We’re reaching out to everyone impacted by the 3G switch off by text to let them know what they need to do to make the move and start enjoying the benefits of 4G.

What are the benefits of switching to 4G?

By switching to a 4G phone and plan, you’ll be saying hello to a better connection and enjoy faster internet speeds for video, streaming and downloads.

I’m a vulnerable customer – what support will be available for me?

Our dedicated team will be on hand to help – just call 1903 free from your Tesco Mobile mobile. Unless you are already registered as requiring additional assistance, please ensure to advise the agent that you are a vulnerable user and require additional support.
If you’d rather contact us using Chat – please use the following link and we can provide the support you need. www.tescomobile.ie/TMIchat

I need to upgrade my device but don’t want an expensive handset. What can I do?

If you want to keep things simple, we have a great range of 4G smartphones to suit your needs. Take a look at our offers on www.tescomobile.ie/prepay-special-offers to find the right handset for you or if you would prefer to move to one of our bill bay plans where you will get a new 4G smartphone as part of your plan, please see www.tescomobile.ie/special-offers.aspx.

What will happen to the credit I have built up on my existing plan?

You will carry your credit with you to whichever Prepay plan you choose. Be mindful that any unused credit will expire after 12 months. Also note, if you decide that you want to move to our bill pay plans, then there is a cap of €50 on any credit transfer.

Can I switch back to the plan I was on previously if I want?

Unfortunately, no. As 3G gets shut off across networks in 2023, the service you have become accustomed to, will begin to deteriorate and we do not want your satisfaction with the Service we provide, to be impacted. For now, you have a choice to make i.e. make the switch today to a 4G enabled service.

Will I be charged extra for 4G data?

For the service itself, not a bit. 4G data is charged in just the same way as 3G and there is no additional charge just for being on 4G data. However, as 4G data allows for greater speeds your data usage may increase. To keep an eye on this, log in to your Self-Serve account at my.tescomobile.ie or download the Android or iOS App.

Can my phone handle 4G data?

Most Tesco Mobile devices support 4G data speeds. To see if yours does, please ask your handset manufacturer if it’s 4G data-ready or you can also find out more at www.gsmarena.com.

How do I know I’m connected to 4G data?

Simple. Your smartphone will tell you. When you’re connected to 4G data, it will show "4G", "4G+" or "LTE" in the top bar instead of 3G or 2G (see table below), depending on your phone’s make or model. If your WiFi is on, your phone will connect to your normal WiFi network and you won’t see the 4G symbol. Here’s an example from an Android Handset with 4G+ circled in red, indicating that 4G data is connected. You may see one of these symbols on your phone to tell you which network it’s on.

Symbol	Network
4G+, 4G, LTE	4G Mobile Network
H+, H, 3G	3G Mobile Network
E, G, GPRS, 2G	2G Mobile Network
	Wifi Network (Not provided by Tesco mobile)

Do I need to change the settings on my phone?

That depends. 4G data is already enabled on most phones, so you probably don’t need to change anything. However, if you can’t connect to 4G data but can connect to 3G or 2G, do check if 4G data is enabled on your phone. Please note, handset settings are dependent on manufacturer and phone model.

For Android phones:
Tap Settings

Locate setting Network Mode (under e.g. Connections->Mobile Networks or Mobile Data)
Set Network mode to "LTE/3G/2G (auto connect)"

For iPhones:
Tap Settings -> Cellular -> Voice & Data or Tap Settings –> Mobile data –> Mobile data options

Select LTE
Accept the popup for "Enable LTE"

IOS 12.0 – Enable 4G on your handset:
To ensure your iPhone is setup to support LTE (4G) on your iPhone perform the following steps. Tap Settings -> Mobile Data -> Mobile Data Options -> Voice and Data option -> Ensure the Data Roaming slider is enabled

Enable LTE
Confirm enablement of LTE on the popup

IOS 11.4.1 – Enable 4G on your handset:
Settings -> Mobile Data Options -> Ensure your Mobile Data is enabled and you enable Roaming -> Voice & Data -> ‘Mobile Data Network’

Enable LTE
Confirm enablement of LTE on the popup

Do I need to change my SIM card?

In some instances, a SIM replacement may be required but mostly, no. Once 4G data is enabled, we will automatically update your SIM card, though we may prompt you via SMS to update your settings.

Do I get 4G data when roaming abroad?

Yes. When you’re roaming abroad your data services will pick up the best network available including 4G masts – again this is dependent on you having a 4G enabled handset and on a 4G Plan.

Will I always receive 4G data?

As long as you are on a 4G Plan and your phone is 4G data-enabled, and there’s 4G coverage you will be able to access 4G data. This is automatic, your device will select the strongest signal for your specific location – it’ll switch between 2G, 3G and 4G as you move around. It’s worth noting that data speeds will vary and is dependent on a number of factors including but not limited to your distance from the serving site – see Service Information and the General Terms for more information on our data service.

Will I see any difference on my.tescomobile.ie or the Tesco Mobile app?

No. 4G data will simply be part of your overall data bundle.

What happens with receiving or making voice calls?

4G data is for high-speed data so any voice calls you make or receive are carried over the 3G or 2G networks. Once they’re completed your phone should automatically return to 4G data.

What about text messages?

You can send and receive SMS text messages as normal, without affecting your 4G data service.