IoT connectivity in Singapore
Updated
In Singapore, permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Of the 3 mobile operators we track there, 3 have switched off 2G and 3 3G, as of 26 October 2026. Sources are listed below each table.
Permanent roaming
Allowed with conditions. A regulatory analyst reports that Singapore applies administrative requirements that make permanent-roaming IoT models difficult to sustain in practice, without an explicit ban; no IMDA text on permanent roaming was found.
Sources: cullen-international.com, cullen-international.com, counterpointresearch.com. Confidence: low.
2G and 3G shutdowns by operator
| Operator | Network | Status | Date | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | 2G | Switched off | April 2017 | singtel.com, resources.telegeography.com M1 co-signed the joint June 2015 release (copy hosted on Singtel's site) ending all 2G services from 1 April 2017, staged to 18 April 2017. TeleGeography lists Singapore's 2G shutdown as completed in April 2017. |
| M1 | 3G | Switched off | 1 August 2024 | m1.com.sg, korewireless.com M1 retired all 3G services from 1 August 2024, the only Singapore MNO to keep the original July 2024 timeline. Kore lists the shutdown as finished. |
| Singtel | 2G | Switched off | April 2017 | singtel.com, resources.telegeography.com Joint M1/Singtel/StarHub release: all 2G voice, SMS and data ceased from 1 April 2017, closed in stages with completion scheduled for 18 April 2017; spectrum refarmed to 3G/4G. TeleGeography lists Singapore's 2G shutdown as completed in April 2017. |
| Singtel | 3G | Switched off | November 2024 | singtel.com, korewireless.com Industry target was 31 July 2024; Singtel postponed and retired its 3G network (2100/900 MHz) progressively from November 2024. Kore lists the shutdown as finished (30 Nov 2024). No Singtel post-shutdown statement found. |
| StarHub | 2G | Switched off | April 2017 | corporate.starhub.com, resources.telegeography.com Same joint release as Singtel and M1: 2G services ceased from 1 April 2017 (staged, completion scheduled 18 April 2017). TeleGeography lists Singapore's 2G shutdown as completed in April 2017. |
| StarHub | 3G | Switched off | 1 November 2024 | corporate.starhub.com, korewireless.com StarHub retired 3G voice, SMS and data from 1 November 2024 (original industry date 31 July 2024, postponed; part of the spectrum reused for 5G). Kore lists it as finished but gives 30 Jun 2024, which conflicts with StarHub's own release. |
What it means for IoT devices in Singapore
- Do not deploy 2G-only devices: every operator with a known status has switched 2G off.
- 3G is already gone on 3 networks: devices that fall back to 3G will lose service there.
- Private delivery works the same from Singapore: device data reaches your cloud over private links. See private delivery.
Other countries in Asia-Pacific
Full tables: permanent roaming rules by country and 2G and 3G shutdown dates.
Frequently asked questions
Is permanent roaming allowed for IoT SIMs in Singapore?
A regulatory analyst reports that Singapore applies administrative requirements that make permanent-roaming IoT models difficult to sustain in practice, without an explicit ban; no IMDA text on permanent roaming was found.
When is 2G switched off in Singapore?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. M1: switched off (2017-04); Singtel: switched off (2017-04); StarHub: switched off (2017-04).
When is 3G switched off in Singapore?
Status by operator, as of 26 October 2026. M1: switched off (2024-08-01); Singtel: switched off (2024-11); StarHub: switched off (2024-11-01).