Singaporean telecommunications companies M1, Singtel, and StarHub have announced the retirement of all 3G services, including voice, messaging, and data, effective from July 31, 2024, according to a joint statement by the operators. The move comes as a response to the reduced usage of 3G services in the country, with newer networks like 4G and 5G becoming the preferred choice for both consumers and businesses.
The cessation of 3G networks will allow telcos to repurpose some of its spectrum that has been freed up to augment 5G services. This upgrade is expected to deliver faster speeds, superior data throughput, and improved security and reliability for users.
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This development follows years of outreach programs conducted by the mobile operators to motivate more individuals and businesses to switch from 3G to 4G and 5G networks. The telcos noted that the remaining usage of 3G services was limited to a small percentage of customers. These include users on older mobile devices or SIM cards that cannot connect to the more advanced 4G and 5G networks.
Over the coming months, the telecommunications companies plan to ramp up communication efforts around the 3G network retirement. They are committed to assisting customers who require help with the transition. As part of these measures, customers will be offered a wide array of 4G and 5G handsets across different price points to facilitate a smooth migration to the newer networks. For those using 3G-only SIM cards, upgrade options and guidance will be made available on the operators’ websites.
The retirement of 3G services aligns with the ongoing efforts by major telcos in Singapore to deploy 5G networks island-wide. Notably, Singtel recently launched the country’s first 5G-enabled smart retail showcase. This initiative is aimed at aiding enterprises in adopting digital solutions to keep pace with the dynamic retail landscape.
Designed to mimic an actual store, the showcase will display technology solutions from Apple’s enterprise partners. These can help enhance retail workflows, boost operational efficiencies, and cultivate exceptional customer experiences for retailers.
This news is based on information provided by Marketing Interactive.
