KDDI (au), Japan: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
KDDI (au) switched off 2G on 22 July 2012 and switched off 3G in March 2022, 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 Japan.
2G and 3G status at KDDI (au)
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | 22 July 2012 | low | kddi.com, tele.net.in au's legacy CDMA (cdmaOne-era) network: KDDI ended 'CDMA 1X' services and non-IC-card devices on 22 Jul 2012 with the 800 MHz band reorganisation; the release does not name cdmaOne. Tele.net says Japan's full 2G shutdown completed Sept 2012. |
| 3G | Switched off | March 2022 | high | news.kddi.com, english.adnkronos.com CDMA2000 'CDMA 1X WIN' service ended end of March 2022 (KDDI 2018 release; exact day was to be announced separately). Jiji/Adnkronos (Mar 2026) confirms KDDI had already terminated 3G. |
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 KDDI (au)
- 2G devices no longer connect to KDDI (au). Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in Japan still running 2G.
- 3G fallback no longer works on KDDI (au). Devices built for 3G (UMTS) or that fall back to it lose service; 4G devices with 2G fallback are not affected by this closure.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in Japan: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Details on the Japan 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 Japan
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| NTT Docomo | Switched off, 31 March 2012 | Switched off, 31 March 2026 |
| SoftBank | Switched off, 31 March 2010 | Switched off, 15 April 2024 |
All operators and both rules for Japan: IoT connectivity in Japan. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did KDDI (au) switch off 2G in Japan?
KDDI (au) switched off its 2G network on 22 July 2012. au's legacy CDMA (cdmaOne-era) network: KDDI ended 'CDMA 1X' services and non-IC-card devices on 22 Jul 2012 with the 800 MHz band reorganisation; the release does not name cdmaOne. Tele.net says Japan's full 2G shutdown completed Sept 2012.
When did KDDI (au) switch off 3G in Japan?
KDDI (au) switched off its 3G network in March 2022. CDMA2000 'CDMA 1X WIN' service ended end of March 2022 (KDDI 2018 release; exact day was to be announced separately). Jiji/Adnkronos (Mar 2026) confirms KDDI had already terminated 3G.