3G mobile communication is entering its final phase after 23 years, as SK Telecom has officially stopped new sign-ups for the service. The actual end date will likely depend on the transition of Internet of Things (IoT) lines and approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT).
On August 20, SK Telecom announced it will cease new sign-ups for 3G services, aiming for a complete service shutdown by 2027. New sign-ups, number transfers, and device changes (including SIM card swaps) for 3G devices and LTE devices that do not support HD voice will be halted. KT has also indicated it is considering whether to stop new sign-ups.
A SK Telecom representative stated, "The number of 3G subscribers and traffic has been steadily declining, and related devices and equipment are aging. As the communication environment shifts toward next-generation networks, we are moving forward with the service termination."
Internationally, the shutdown of 3G services has already progressed significantly. Companies like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile in the U.S., as well as KDDI and SoftBank in Japan, have ended their 3G services.
The complete termination of 3G services is expected to take time. While the halt of new sign-ups can be implemented through a change in terms of service, the actual discontinuation of 3G services requires approval from the MSIT.
The transition of IoT lines used in vehicles, metering, and elevators is considered a key variable. According to the MSIT's statistics from the end of June, there were 328,124 3G mobile phone lines, accounting for about 0.5% of total lines. However, when including business-to-business (B2B) and IoT lines, the proportion of 3G lines approaches 2%.
An MSIT official noted, "There are more B2B lines than 3G mobile phone lines, and the various uses such as metering, vehicles, and elevators add complexity. Discussions among service providers are necessary to determine how to transition different types of communication modules."
The MSIT has stated that it has not set a specific end date for 3G services. An official from the ministry remarked, "We cannot currently determine whether the official end date will be at the end of 2027 or in 2028. We will discuss a specific end date after assessing the status of each service provider and conducting consultations."
Meanwhile, SK Telecom is implementing support programs to facilitate the transition of existing 3G users to LTE and 5G. Options include free device replacements for LTE and 5G, discounts of up to 12,000 won per month for 24 months, and purchase subsidies of up to 380,000 won along with the same monthly discount. Users can choose one of these options.
For 3G subscribers aged 65 and older who switch to LTE or 5G, support will be provided to continue using the existing 'New Silver Plan' (9,900 won per month). Customers who cancel their service or switch to another provider will receive a cancellation support payment of 40,000 won, and any penalties incurred during the transition or cancellation process will be waived.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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