Singapore to shut down 3G and reallocate spectrum for 5G

Singapore will shut down its 3G network in July next year, giving 1% of mobile users a year to transition to newer networks. This marks the end of a 20-year-old infrastructure that has been largely replaced by 4G and 5G, according to local regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA). 5G became commercially available last year and currently has 15% of the total mobile user base. Together with 4G, the two networks support almost 99% of the country's mobile users.

Singapore's three local mobile operators - M1, Singtel and StarHub - will stop providing 3G services, including text messages and data, on July 31 next year. When the shutdown is complete, spectrum will be freed up to improve 5G services, IMDA said.

Countries like Australia and the United Kingdom are also planning to shut down their 3G services next year, while countries like Taiwan, Malaysia and the United States have already completed the process.

IMDA said Singapore's mobile operators must ensure a smooth transition for their 3G users, including corporate customers, before shutting down their networks. These measures should include giving users the option to switch their plans to 4G with equal or better service conditions. They must also be given a choice of handsets at different prices, the industry regulator said.

Business customers should be supported to transition to 4G or other alternative services with minimal disruption.

Starting next February, retailers will also no longer be allowed to sell 3G phones or 4G models that require 3G networks for voice calls. The only exception will be devices marked for export.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the three local operators said they have been carrying out various campaigns to urge their 3G users to switch to 4G and 5G networks. The telcos said further steps will be taken in the coming months to notify these customers and provide assistance to those who need help in making the migration.

These users include customers who are still using 3G devices or early 4G models and those who are still using 3G SIM cards.

5G is expected to support 41% of mobile connections in Asia Pacific by 2030, up from 4% this year, according to the GSMA's Asia Pacific Mobile Economy Report 2023. The region will have 1.4 billion 5G subscriptions, with falling device prices and rapid network expansion in multiple markets driving adoption.

While mature markets such as Australia, Singapore and South Korea are leading the world in 5G mobile innovation, other regional markets continue to face barriers that impact mobile access and adoption.

The GSMA report noted that 47% of the population in Asia Pacific still lacks access to mobile internet services, lagging behind other global markets such as China and Latin America. The report cited factors such as poor digital skills, especially among older populations, affordability of devices and services, and online safety concerns as barriers to adoption.

The total number of mobile subscribers in Asia Pacific will grow by 400 million to 2.11 billion by 2030. Mobile penetration will reach 70%, but this figure is lower than the global average of 73%.

Last year, the mobile industry contributed $810 billion to the Asia-Pacific economy, a figure that is expected to reach $990 billion by 2030. 5G alone will add more than $133 billion to the region’s economy by 2030.