Smart, Philippines: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Smart has announced no date to switch off 2G and switched off 3G in September 2025, 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 the Philippines.
2G and 3G status at Smart
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | No plan announced | none | low | thingsdata.com, newsbytes.ph Tracker (Feb 2026) lists a Smart 2G sunset as planned but with no date communicated. DICT (Oct 2025) said a phased 2G transition plan is being worked out with telcos; about 10 million 2G users remained. |
| 3G | Switched off | September 2025 | medium | newsbytes.ph, korewireless.com DICT said in Oct 2025 that the three major telcos had shut down 3G, with NTC awaiting final confirmation. Kore lists Smart (PLDT group) 3G as finished, dated 30 Sep 2025. |
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 Smart
- 2G keeps running for now. Smart has announced no closing date, so 2G fallback still helps devices that roam in the Philippines, but new designs should not depend on it.
- 3G fallback no longer works on Smart. 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 the Philippines: we have not yet found a reliable source on permanent roaming. Details on the Philippines 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 the Philippines
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| Globe | No plan announced | Switched off |
All operators and both rules for the Philippines: IoT connectivity in the Philippines. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When does Smart switch off 2G in the Philippines?
Smart has announced no date to switch off 2G, as of 26 October 2026. Tracker (Feb 2026) lists a Smart 2G sunset as planned but with no date communicated. DICT (Oct 2025) said a phased 2G transition plan is being worked out with telcos; about 10 million 2G users remained.
When did Smart switch off 3G in the Philippines?
Smart switched off its 3G network in September 2025. DICT said in Oct 2025 that the three major telcos had shut down 3G, with NTC awaiting final confirmation. Kore lists Smart (PLDT group) 3G as finished, dated 30 Sep 2025.