Singapore – IMDA to End Acceptance of 3G-only Mobile Terminals and Non-VoLTE Capable Mobile Phones

As a reminder from our previous post from July 27, 2023, that IMDA intends to close the 3G network and service starting July 31, 2024. 

We would like to remind all manufacturers and equipment dealers of the following timelines:

• With the impending cessation of the 3G networks, IMDA will stop accepting new registrations and renewals of 3G-only mobile terminals2 and non-VoLTE3 capable mobile/smart phones4 with effect from November 1, 2023.
• With effect from February 1, 2024:
  • IMDA will de-register the approved registrations of 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones.
  • The sale of 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones for local use will accordingly no longer be allowed from 1 February 2024. Dealers/equipment suppliers who had previously registered such mobile terminals and mobile phones with IMDA shall stop all sale of such deregistered mobile terminals and mobile phones for local use by this date.
  • Only dealers/equipment suppliers who are granted Dealer (Individual) Licences by IMDA may import or offer for sale unregistered 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones for export purposes and/or use overseas only. In such cases, IMDA’s licence conditions in relation to the sale of non-registered telecommunication equipment will apply.
• Dealers/equipment suppliers are required to do the following with effect from July 26, 2023:
  • When selling 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones to customers, dealers/equipment suppliers are to advise customers that 3G services will cease with effect from 31 July 2024. This will help ensure that these customers are fully aware and that they make an informed choice when purchasing such terminals/mobile phones, especially if they intend to use such terminals/mobile phones in Singapore.
  • If customers wish to purchase unregistered 3G-only mobile terminals and non-VoLTE capable mobile/smart phones for overseas use after 1 February 2024, dealers/equipment suppliers (who have a Dealer’s Individual Licence) may sell the mobile terminals to them, but only on the understanding that the mobile terminals are strictly for export purposes and/or for overseas use only.
• For customers purchasing 4G or 5G mobile/smart phones, dealers/equipment suppliers are also advised to ensure that Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is enabled, or assist the customer to enable VoLTE on the new mobile/smart phones and encourage them to make a test call to ensure that voice calls can be made through VoLTE. With the cessation of 3G networks, voice call services such as those to emergency services can only be made via VoLTE. If queried on the need to enable VoLTE, dealers/equipment suppliers should explain that the VoLTE settings are needed to make/receive voice calls, given the cessation of 3G networks.

For more information on Singapore IMDA requirements, please contact iCertifi.