The 3G Sunset in Asia: A Wake-Up Call for IoT-Dependent Businesses

As Asia moves rapidly toward full 4G and 5G adoption, the ongoing phase-out of 3G networks is creating urgent challenges for businesses with legacy IoT deployments. WeSpeakIot contributor William Tam, Business Development Manager at Metropolitan Wireless International in Signapore, outlines the risks, regional developments, and critical steps companies must take to future-proof their infrastructure.

As Asia accelerates toward widespread 4G and 5G adoption, the phase-out of 3G networks is now a pressing reality. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and India are rapidly decommissioning their 3G infrastructure, freeing up valuable spectrum for next-generation mobile services.

But what does this mean for businesses still operating on legacy systems? Especially for those with IoT deployments, the risks are growing by the day.

Why 3G Is Being Retired

3G technology, introduced over two decades ago, can no longer support the bandwidth and efficiency needs of today’s data-driven environment. Mobile operators are reallocating resources to more advanced technologies that enable higher speeds, improved latency, and support for billions of connected devices.

Globally, over 1.5 billion 3G connections existed as recently as 2018. Today, that number is shrinking fast. In the U.S., major carriers like AT&T and Verizon completed their 3G shutdowns in 2022. Asia is now following suit—but many devices in the region are still lagging behind.

Regional Progress on 3G Decommissioning

The transition is uneven across Asia, but momentum is clearly building:

• Singapore: All major telcos (Singtel, StarHub, M1) plan to end 3G services by July 2025.
• Malaysia: The migration began in 2021, with strong regulatory and carrier support.
• India: Over 350 million users were on 3G as recently as 2020, but carriers are rapidly reallocating to 4G/5G.
• Philippines & Indonesia: Still in early stages, but spectrum reallocation plans are already under discussion by telecom regulators.

Despite these timelines, a 2023 GSMA report found that more than 30% of IoT devices in Asia still depend on 2G/3G networks.

Business Risks: Beyond Connectivity

Shutting down 3G networks isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a potential operational crisis if left unaddressed:

• Device Downtime: Temperature monitors, GPS trackers, and smart meters using 3G will lose connectivity.
• Service Disruption: Real-time alerts and remote monitoring for critical systems (e.g., cold chain, utilities) may fail.
• Emergency Replacement Costs: Businesses that delay may face higher costs and longer lead times due to hardware shortages or rushed rollouts.

Are You at Risk?

If your IoT or monitoring devices were installed before 2018, there’s a high probability they rely on 3G. Commonly impacted sectors include:

• Cold chain logistics & temperature-sensitive goods
• Smart metering (water, gas, electricity)
• Building management systems (BMS)
• Public transportation, taxis, and fleet GPS
• Smart city infrastructure (e.g., streetlights, cameras)

What You Should Do Today

1. Audit Your Infrastructure
   List all field assets and identify which still operate on 3G modems or SIMs.
2. Partner with Experts
   IoT solution providers like Metropolitan Wireless International can help evaluate your existing network and propose alternatives like LTE-M, NB-IoT, or LTE Cat-1.
3. Develop a Transition Plan
   Budget for device upgrades, plan a phased rollout, and test each stage to reduce downtime.
4. Invest in Scalable Solutions
   Choose devices that support multi-network fallback or can be upgraded via firmware or modular hardware.
   Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

The 3G shutdown isn’t a distant threat—it’s an active process already impacting businesses across Asia. Those who ignore the change risk not only losing data connectivity but compromising service delivery and compliance.

Start preparing now. Consult a reliable IoT partner, audit your fleet, and design a migration strategy that ensures your operations remain uninterrupted.

Being proactive today will keep your IoT infrastructure resilient and competitive in the years ahead.