Maxis, Malaysia: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Maxis has announced no date to switch off 2G and switched off 3G in December 2023, 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 Malaysia.
2G and 3G status at Maxis
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | No plan announced | none | medium | hotlink.com.my Maxis/Hotlink network FAQ says Maxis maintains its 2G network for voice and SMS where 4G/5G is weak; no end date given. |
| 3G | Switched off | December 2023 | medium | hotlink.com.my, korewireless.com Maxis/Hotlink FAQ says nationwide 3G retirement is complete and dates it December 2023. Conflict: Kore lists 31 Dec 2021, matching the national JENDELA target (end 2021, last sites by March 2022); the 2023 date may reflect final decommissioning. |
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 Maxis
- 2G keeps running for now. Maxis has announced no closing date, so 2G fallback still helps devices that roam in Malaysia, but new designs should not depend on it.
- 3G fallback no longer works on Maxis. 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 Malaysia: we have not yet found a reliable source on permanent roaming. Details on the Malaysia 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 Malaysia
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| CelcomDigi | No plan announced | Switched off, 31 December 2021 |
| U Mobile | not tracked | Switched off, December 2021 |
All operators and both rules for Malaysia: IoT connectivity in Malaysia. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Maxis switch off 2G in Malaysia?
Maxis has announced no date to switch off 2G, as of 26 October 2026. Maxis/Hotlink network FAQ says Maxis maintains its 2G network for voice and SMS where 4G/5G is weak; no end date given.
When did Maxis switch off 3G in Malaysia?
Maxis switched off its 3G network in December 2023. Maxis/Hotlink FAQ says nationwide 3G retirement is complete and dates it December 2023. Conflict: Kore lists 31 Dec 2021, matching the national JENDELA target (end 2021, last sites by March 2022); the 2023 date may reflect final decommissioning.