China Unicom: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
China Unicom switched off 2G in 2024 and plans to switch off 3G on 30 June 2026, 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 Unicom
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | 2024 | low | korewireless.com, emnify.com GSM. Unicom planned a full 2G exit by end-2021, a target Light Reading (2022) said was missed. Kore (May 2026) marks the shutdown finished; emnify lists 31 Dec 2024. No Unicom or MIIT confirmation found. |
| 3G | Planned | 30 June 2026 | low | korewireless.com, emnify.com WCDMA, reduced to one carrier by end-2020 with VoLTE replacing 3G voice (C114, 2020). Kore and emnify both list 30 Jun 2026. Date has passed; no confirmation found. |
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 Unicom
- 2G devices no longer connect to China Unicom. 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 (30 June 2026). 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 Telecom | Switched off | Planned, 2024 |
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 Unicom switch off 2G in China?
China Unicom switched off its 2G network in 2024. GSM. Unicom planned a full 2G exit by end-2021, a target Light Reading (2022) said was missed. Kore (May 2026) marks the shutdown finished; emnify lists 31 Dec 2024. No Unicom or MIIT confirmation found.
When does China Unicom switch off 3G in China?
China Unicom plans to switch off 3G on 30 June 2026. WCDMA, reduced to one carrier by end-2020 with VoLTE replacing 3G voice (C114, 2020). Kore and emnify both list 30 Jun 2026. Date has passed; no confirmation found.