Singapore Telcos will no longer provide 2G mobile services from April 2017

Authorities say the step will ensure that mobile users migrate on time before the closure of 2G networks.

Singapore Telcos will no longer provide 2G mobile services from April 2017
SIM cards lie on a table in this photo illustration Reuters

Singtel, M1 and StarHub jointly announced on Wednesday that the new prepaid SIM cards will not support 2G handsets from next Tuesday.

Earlier, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), which regulates Singapore's telco industry, approved the request of the mobile network operators (MNOs) like M1, Singtel Mobile and StarHub Mobile to close their 2G networks.

According to the Singapore telcos, the step was taken to ensure that mobile users migrate on time before the closure of 2G networks in April 2017 across Singapore. The authorities said the customers would be updated about the latest developments through different sales locations and other channels.

"We urge customers to upgrade to 3G or 4G-capable handsets early," the telcos told Channel NewsAsia.

The subscribers will have to check their current mobile phones whether those can be used for 3G network connections. If not, they would have to change their mobile phones to the ones that can.

"A wide range of 3G and 4G handsets are available at retailers across the island to enable customers to make the transition to 3G or 4G networks," telcos added.

Low cost 3G mobile phone packages will also be available to facilitate the change, including conversion of SIM cards to 3G-enabled ones.

The 2G networks support voice telephone calls, SMS and basic Internet services were first introduced in Singapore in 1994.

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