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Transition from 3G to 4G/5G
General
When is StarHub shutting down its 3G network?
Our 3G network will be discontinued with effect from 31 July 2024 as aligned with the IMDA announcement dated 26 July 2023.
Why is StarHub shutting down its 3G network?
The adoption of 4G and 5G network, which offers superior speeds and connectivity, is increasingly more prevalent. The cessation of 3G network will allow us to redeploy valuable resources to improve 4G and 5G services to our customers.
Who is affected by the 3G network closure?
This 3G closure will affect Enterprise Mobile postpaid customers and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) customers using 3G-only or 4G non-VoLTE mobile devices, or who have manually set their phone network mode to 3G.
How will this closure affect me? What do I need to do?
When 3G services are discontinued, if you are still on a 3G plan and/or using a 3G-only or 4G non-VoLTE device, you will not be able to access mobile voice, SMS, and data services. Similarly, you will not have connectivity if you have manually set your device’s network mode to 3G. As such, you will need to subscribe to a 4G/5G plan and use a 4G/5G device with VoLTE support or set your phone network mode to 4G/5G.
You can contact your StarHub Account Manager, Sales Representative, or email our Business Sales Enquiries at business@starhub.com for the latest available plans and promotions.
How does this 3G network closure impact roamers who connect to the StarHub network?
For inbound roamers, if you are using a 3G-only or 4G non-VoLTE mobile device or have manually set your phone network mode to 3G, you will not be able to access mobile voice, SMS, and data services when 3G services are discontinued. To log on to our 4G/5G network, please ensure you are using a 4G/5G-compatible device.
For outbound roamers, the discontinuation of 3G services in Singapore will not impact you, as the networks overseas depend on the destination country. You may wish to check that your destination country still supports 3G services to ensure your 3G-only or 4G non-VoLTE mobile device can be used.
What is VoLTE?
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is a feature that allows you to make voice calls using our 4G network. Your mobile device will use 4G to make and receive these calls in areas where 4G (LTE) is available.
How do I know if I am on a 3G plan?
You can check your subscription plan details via My Business Account or the StarHub Business Manager App. Alternatively, you can also check your StarHub bill.
I am a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Service Management Platform user. How do I know if I am on a 3G subscription plan?
You can check your subscription plan details on the M2M Service Management portal via https://iot.starhub.com/.
How do I know if I am using a 4G/5G-compatible device?
Please approach your device manufacturer to check if your device supports VoLTE.
Affected Products & Plans
What plans are affected by the 3G network closure, and will I need to change my mobile plan to enjoy 4G/5G connection?
Please refer to the list below for the affected products and subscription plans. If you are using any of the products and/or plans listed below, you will need to switch to a 4G/5G one.
1. Products
- Enterprise Web (3G)
- 3G M2M
- 3G Mobile
2. Subscription Plans
Enterprise Web (3G)
- Enterprise Web LAN (Dynamic IP)
- Enterprise Web LAN Plus (Static IP)
3G M2M
- M2M 3G
- M2M 3G Pooled
3G Mobile
- 3G MaxMobile Lite (6GB) DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Value DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Ultimate DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Ultimate 2 DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Value (10GB) DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Premium (10GB) DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Premium DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile SurfLite DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Elite DataPack
- 3G MaxMobile Basic DataPack
- 3G Enterprise Data Plan
- 3G Enterprise SMS Plan
- Power Value 100
- 3G PowerValue 80
- 3G PowerValue 100
- 3G PowerValue 300
- 3G PowerValue 700
- 3G SmartSurf 100
- 3G SmartSurf 300
- 3G SmartSurf 700
- SmartSurf Value
- SmartSurf Lite
- SmartSurf HD Value
- SmartSurf Elite
- SmartSurf Premium
- SmartSurf HD Premium
- SmartSurf HD Plus
- Any plans with MultiSIM VAS
If you’re already on a 4G plan, you can simply switch to a 4G/5G device or set your phone network mode to 4G/5G.
Will the affected products and subscription plans listed above be automatically terminated?
Yes, the affected 3G products and subscription plans will be automatically terminated on 31 July 2024, and customers will need to move to alternative plans.
Will I continue to be charged for the affected products and subscription plans listed above after the 3G network closes?
No, as once the 3G network closes on 31 July 2024, the affected products and subscription plans will be automatically terminated.
Affected Devices
Which devices are affected by the 3G closure?
All 3G-only devices (including phones, tablets, and mobile broadband devices) and some older 4G phones without VoLTE support will be affected.
What do I need to do if I am holding on to a 3G-only or non-VoLTE device?
You will only be able to use your 3G or non-VoLTE devices until 31 July 2024, as 3G services will be discontinued then.
We strongly encourage you to switch to a 4G/5G phone and plan as soon as possible to avoid any disruptions to your service.
For customers who wish to purchase a 4G or 5G phone, please contact your StarHub Account Manager, Sales Representative, or email our Business Sales Enquiries at business@starhub.com for the latest available plans and promotions.
If you’re already holding on to a 4G/5G VoLTE-supported device, you will need to ensure that your VoLTE setting is switched on.
How do I switch on 4G and VoLTE on my devices?
Android
If you are already on a 4G plan, to connect to 4G on an Android phone, please go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode and select 5G/LTE/3G/2G or LTE/3G/2G.
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) should automatically be enabled for your Android device. If you have previously disabled VoLTE and wish to reenable it or would like to check if it’s enabled on your Android device, please go to Settings > Mobile Networks.
Apple
If you are already on a 4G plan and have an Apple device that is iPhone 6 or later, Voice over LTE should be automatically enabled.
To check the settings for 4G/5G on an Apple iOS phone, please go to Settings > Mobile Data > Mobile Data Options > Voice and Data.
You may visit the Apple Support webpage for more details: https://support.apple.com/en-sg/HT203124
I'm currently on a dual-SIM device. How do I know if the second SIM card slot supports 4G/5G?
Any 4G device purchased between 1 January 2018 and 1 January 2020 should most likely support 4G on its 2nd SIM card slot. This applies to 4G/5G devices purchased from 2020 onwards.
Please check with your handset manufacturer for more details.
With the closure of the 3G network, does that mean StarHub will no longer offer SMS?
SMS is still supported on 4G/5G networks. You need only to ensure that you’re using a 4G/5G device.
SIM Card
If I switch from a 3G plan to a 4G/5G plan, do I have to change my SIM card to enjoy the 4G/5G network?
All our SIM cards support 4G. However, if you are looking to use your existing SIM card on a new handset/device, please make sure the handset/device SIM card slots support your existing SIM card.
For 5G plans, a change of SIM card is required.
4G/5G Coverage
What’s the current StarHub 4G/5G coverage. Will I experience issues with the network after the 3G closure?
We currently have more than 99% and 95% nationwide outdoor coverage on our 4G and 5G networks respectively. For the latest news on our 5G coverage, please visit www.starhub.com/5G.
You can use your mobile services as long as you are subscribed to a 4G/5G plan and are using a 4G/5G-compatible device.