Hong Kong telecoms company SmarTone Mobile Communications Limited has confirmed that it will stop offering 3G services from October 9.
The carrier said it will instead push to enhance its 5G mobile service as usage of its 3G network continues to plummet.
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According to SmarTone, as of last month, 3G only accounted for around one percent of SmarTone’s total mobile customer base.
The telco said it has notified the affected customers since last year, telling them to upgrade their devices and SIM cards ahead of the switch-off.
SmarTone previously retired its 2G network back in 2022.
Founded in 1992, SmarTone is a subsidiary of Hong Kong-based Sun Hung Kai Properties. The company previously operated a subsidiary in Macau, before exiting that market in 2024.
The telco isn't the first to retire 3G services in Hong Kong, with China Mobile Hong Kong (CMHK) doing so last year.
Mobile carriers across the globe have been retiring legacy 2G and 3G networks to free up spectrum for 4G and 5G networks as older networks struggle to keep pace with data demands.
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