Singapore shuts down its 3G network next July, with a one-year roadmap before 1% of the mobile phone population switches to the new generation.
Local regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) says this marks the end of two decades of infrastructure that was largely replaced by 4G and 5G. 5G was commercially launched last year and the number of subscribers currently accounts for 15% of the total mobile subscriber base. Together with 4G, the two networks support almost 99% of the country’s mobile phone subscribers.
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All three local mobile operators – M1, Singtel and StarHub – will end their 3G services, including messaging and data, by July 31 next year. IMDA said once the shutdown is complete, frequencies will be freed up to improve 5G services.
Countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom also plan to end their 3G services by next year, while others such as Taiwan, Malaysia and the United States have already done so.
According to IMDA, Singapore’s mobile operators must ensure a smooth transition of 3G subscribers, including business customers, before shutting down their networks. These should include offering users the option to change their plan to his 4G with equal or better service terms. There is also a need to offer mobile phone options at different price points, the industry regulator said.
Business customers should be provided with support to migrate to 4G or alternative services with minimal disruption.
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From February next year, retailers will also be prohibited from selling 3G mobile phones and 4G models that require a 3G network for voice calls. The only exception here is devices tagged for export.
In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the three local carriers said they are undertaking various initiatives to encourage 3G subscribers to migrate to 4G and 5G networks. The carrier said further steps will be taken in the coming months to notify these customers of the transition and provide assistance to customers who need assistance with the transition.
These subscribers include customers with 3G-only devices or early 4G models, as well as customers who are still using 3G-only 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 Mobile Economy APAC 2023 report released this week. The region is expected to attract 1.4 billion 5G subscribers by the end of 2030, with adoption driven by falling device prices and rapid network expansion across multiple markets.
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While mature markets such as Australia, Singapore, and South Korea are leading the way in global 5G mobile innovation, other regional markets still face barriers that impact mobile access and adoption.
According to the GSMA report, 47% of Asia-Pacific’s population still lacks mobile internet services, lagging behind other global markets such as China and Latin America. They cited low digital skills, especially among older people, the affordability of devices and services, and concerns about online safety as factors hindering adoption.
The total number of mobile subscribers in Asia Pacific is expected to grow by 400 million to 2.11 billion by 2030. However, according to the GSMA, mobile penetration will rise to 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, and this figure is expected to reach $990 billion by 2030. 5G alone will add more than $133 billion to the region’s economy by 2030.
