China Telecom: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
China Telecom switched off 2G and plans to switch off 3G in 2024, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in China.
2G and 3G status at China Telecom
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | none | low | emnify.com, miit.gov.cn CDMA 1x. MIIT approved in Aug 2023 the refarming to 5G of the 800 MHz band used for 2G/3G/4G. emnify (Sep 2026) shows China Telecom 2G as no service. No completion date published; earlier press targeted end-2024. |
| 3G | Planned | 2024 | low | ithome.com, montnets.com CDMA2000 EV-DO. Provincial phase-out began in Yunnan from 1 Jun 2020; full 2G/3G exit targeted end-2024 (or end-2023 per some reports; ~2025 per Light Reading 2022). Date passed without confirmation found. No completion confirmation found in 2025-2026 sources. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on China Telecom
- 2G devices no longer connect to China Telecom. Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in China still running 2G.
- 3G works until the shutdown (2024). Devices that rely on 3G should move to 4G before then.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in China: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is not allowed. Details on the China page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in China
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| China Mobile | No plan announced | Switched off |
| China Unicom | Switched off, 2024 | Planned, 30 June 2026 |
All operators and both rules for China: IoT connectivity in China. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did China Telecom switch off 2G in China?
China Telecom switched off its 2G network. CDMA 1x. MIIT approved in Aug 2023 the refarming to 5G of the 800 MHz band used for 2G/3G/4G. emnify (Sep 2026) shows China Telecom 2G as no service. No completion date published; earlier press targeted end-2024.
When does China Telecom switch off 3G in China?
China Telecom plans to switch off 3G in 2024. CDMA2000 EV-DO. Provincial phase-out began in Yunnan from 1 Jun 2020; full 2G/3G exit targeted end-2024 (or end-2023 per some reports; ~2025 per Light Reading 2022). Date passed without confirmation found. No completion confirmation found in 2025-2026 sources.