In July next year, Singapore will shut down its 3G network, giving 1% of mobile phone users a one-year transition period to switch to newer networks. According to local regulator Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), this marks the end of a 20-year-old infrastructure that has been largely replaced by 4G and 5G. 5G was commercialized last year, and current subscription users account for 15% of the total mobile user base. Together with 4G, these two networks support nearly 99% of the country's mobile users.

Singapore's three local mobile operators - M1, Singtel and StarHub - will stop providing 3G services, including SMS and data, on July 31 next year. IMDA said that when the closure is completed, the spectrum will be released to improve 5G services.

Countries such as Australia and the United Kingdom are also planning to shut down their 3G services next year, while countries such as 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 enterprise customers, before shutting down their networks. These measures should include giving users the option to convert 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 in February next year, retailers will also no longer be allowed to sell 3G mobile phones or 4G models that require a 3G network for voice calls. The only exception is devices marked as egress.

In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the three local operators said they have been conducting various campaigns to urge their 3G users to switch to 4G and 5G networks. The telco said it would take further steps in the coming months to notify these customers and provide assistance to those who need help with 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.

According to the GSMA's Asia-Pacific Mobile Economy Report 2023, 5G is expected to support 41% of mobile connections in the Asia-Pacific region by 2030, up from 4% this year. The region will have 1.4 billion 5G users, 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 way in global 5G mobile innovation, other regional markets still face barriers that impact mobile access and adoption.

The GSMA report pointed out that 47% of the population in the Asia-Pacific region still does not have access to mobile Internet services, which lags behind other global markets such as China and Latin America. The report cited factors such as poor digital skills, especially among older adults, affordability of devices and services, and online safety concerns as hindering adoption.

By 2030, the total number of mobile users in the Asia-Pacific region will increase by 400 million, reaching 2.11 billion. Mobile penetration will reach 70%, but this figure is lower than the global average of 73%.

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