KT, South Korea: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
KT switched off 2G in March 2012 and has announced no date to switch off 3G, 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 South Korea.
2G and 3G status at KT
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | March 2012 | medium | ddaily.co.kr, koreaherald.com 2G (CDMA) service ended March 2012, first of the three Korean operators. |
| 3G | No plan announced | none | medium | news.bizwatch.co.kr, ddaily.co.kr WCDMA (2.1 GHz) still running. As of Aug 2026 KT says it is preparing to stop new 3G sign-ups but has given no date; in Apr 2025 MSIT said no operator had applied to end 3G. Kore lists no specific planning; emnify lists a planned closure without date. |
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 KT
- 2G devices no longer connect to KT. Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in South Korea still running 2G.
- 3G keeps running for now: KT has announced no closing date.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in South Korea: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Details on the South Korea 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 South Korea
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| LG Uplus | Switched off, June 2021 | Switched off, June 2021 |
| SK Telecom | Switched off, July 2020 | Planned, 2027 |
All operators and both rules for South Korea: IoT connectivity in South Korea. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did KT switch off 2G in South Korea?
KT switched off its 2G network in March 2012. 2G (CDMA) service ended March 2012, first of the three Korean operators.
When does KT switch off 3G in South Korea?
KT has announced no date to switch off 3G, as of 26 October 2026. WCDMA (2.1 GHz) still running. As of Aug 2026 KT says it is preparing to stop new 3G sign-ups but has given no date; in Apr 2025 MSIT said no operator had applied to end 3G. Kore lists no specific planning; emnify lists a planned closure without date.