Latest news with #mobileprovider
Phone Arena
7 hours ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
This MVNO is leveling up international calling by offering local numbers in five new countries
Fonus, a US-based international mobile provider, is expanding its global footprint by adding support for local phone numbers in five additional countries: the United Kingdom (+44), Mexico (+52), Hong Kong (+852), Sweden (+46), and Chile (+56). This marks a shift in how users can stay connected across borders without relying on traditional roaming or juggling multiple SIM cards. Until now, Fonus users were limited to using phone numbers based in the United States and Canada. With this new rollout, users in the seven supported countries can now either get a new local number or port in an existing one. That means travelers, remote workers, and international families now have more flexibility in how they manage their mobile identities, all while using a single SIM or eSIM and Fonus plan. According to the company, this is just the first phase of its global number expansion, as more country support is expected in the coming months. To that, Simon Tian (founder and CEO of Fonus) added: — Simon Tian, founder and CEO of Fonus The new feature is built into the Fonus app and lets users maintain multiple phone numbers from different countries at the same time. Incoming calls and texts will reach the user regardless of which number the sender dialed, and outgoing calls can be made to appear local by simply toggling the selected number in the app. The feature to use a local number is built right into the Fonus app. | Image credit — Fonus Fonus says this feature is especially useful for digital nomads, remote workers, and small businesses that operate internationally. Having a local number can help boost trust with local customers and make communication smoother, particularly in regions where international numbers may be filtered or ignored. The update also includes support for porting in local numbers from the newly added countries, with assistance available 24/7. This makes Fonus one of the few MVNOs focused on removing the friction of global communication by unifying international access under one subscription. As always, we recommend comparing this expansion to other international options from providers like Google Fi. While Fonus offers a more simplified flat-rate experience, some competitors provide broader roaming coverage or data-only plans tailored to frequent flyers. Still, for users who want voice, text, and data across borders without switching numbers, Fonus is shaping up to be a more complete alternative. I find that, for frequent travelers, this move makes a lot of sense. Being able to keep a local number while hopping between countries is a huge convenience — not just for logistics like booking rides or making local calls, but also for staying reachable to contacts without paying roaming fees. It's also less hassle than managing multiple SIM cards or dealing with temporary apps.
The Sun
18-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
UK's biggest mobile provider is shutting MORE services in just days leaving thousands of Brits without a working phone
BRITAIN'S biggest mobile provider will be shutting down more of its major services within days. Customers are urged to take note, as the change could leave many Brits without internet on their phones. 2 2 Virgin Media O2 is the latest provider to shut off its 3G services - with several areas across the country already affected. Other major providers including EE, Vodafone and Three have switched off their 3G already. Virgin Media O2 says the move will allow the company to focus on offering "faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient" 4G and 5G. Torquay's 3G network is the latest to face an upcoming switch off, which is scheduled for August 4. This will also affect Giffgaff, Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile customers as they use Virgin Media O2's network. WHICH DEVICES ARE AFFECTED? Customers are advised to switch to a device that can support 4G or 5G before the changes take place. Anyone with a phone that only supports 3G will not have access to mobile data once the service is shut off. However, they will still be able to make calls, send texts and access WiFi. But the telecoms giant says the "vast majority" of its customers already have 4G and 5G compatible devices - meaning they will be unaffected by the change. Virgin Media O2's 3G switch off started Durham on April 2. The changes have continued through the summer, with services ending in Norwich, Telford and Guildford on July 16. The rest of the country's 3G is expected to be cut off by the end of the year. SUPPORT FOR CUSTOMERS Virgin Media O2's Chief Technology Officer Jeanie York said: "We're switching off our 3G network to focus our attention and investment on upgrading faster and more reliable 4G and 5G networks that will give our customers a better overall experience. "Following the successful pilot in Durham earlier this year, we will be switching off 3G in Norwich, Telford and Guildford in July, and Torquay in early August, with the rest of the UK to follow by the end of the year." York added: "While we know that the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, our priority is to provide support to those who need it. "That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps. "It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off." Which mobile networks are affected by the 3G switch off? Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug
BBC News
16-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Guildford, Telford and Norwich see 3G switched off
A leading mobile provider is switching off its 3G coverage in three areas of England from Media O2 is withdrawing the service in Guildford in Surrey, Telford in Shropshire and Norwich in Norfolk, as 4G and 5G replace older company said only a small number of customers will be affected, with vulnerable customers having been offered a 4G-ready device free of next area in which Virgin will switch off 3G is due to be Torquay in Devon on 4 August. Anyone in those areas who has not upgraded from 3G will still be able to make phone calls and send text messages, but will not be able to use mobile York, Virgin Media O2's chief technology officer, said: "While we know the vast majority of our customers already have a 4G or 5G device and will not have to take any action, our priority is to provide support to those who need it."That is why we are reaching out directly to customers who do not have a 4G or 5G handset, and calling those we know are vulnerable, to provide information about their next steps."It is important these customers upgrade their handsets in order to continue using mobile data after 3G is switched off."The 3G network, launched two decades ago, now carries only 3% of all network data, and will be switched off completely by Virgin by the end of 2025.
