LG Uplus, South Korea: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
LG Uplus switched off 2G in June 2021 and switched off 3G in June 2021, 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 LG Uplus
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | June 2021 | medium | ddaily.co.kr, koreaherald.com 2G (CDMA) ended June 2021, the last 2G network in Korea; plan announced Jan 2021 and approved by MSIT for late June. |
| 3G | Switched off | June 2021 | low | ddaily.co.kr LG Uplus never deployed WCDMA; its 3G-class data service was CDMA2000 EV-DO on the CDMA network closed with 2G in June 2021. Inferred: Digital Daily (2025) lists only SKT and KT as 3G operators; no explicit EV-DO shutdown source found. Conflict: Kore lists 31 Dec 2017 for LG Uplus 3G; emnify shows no service. |
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 LG Uplus
- 2G devices no longer connect to LG Uplus. 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 fallback no longer works on LG Uplus. 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 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 |
|---|---|---|
| KT | Switched off, March 2012 | No plan announced |
| 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 LG Uplus switch off 2G in South Korea?
LG Uplus switched off its 2G network in June 2021. 2G (CDMA) ended June 2021, the last 2G network in Korea; plan announced Jan 2021 and approved by MSIT for late June.
When did LG Uplus switch off 3G in South Korea?
LG Uplus switched off its 3G network in June 2021. LG Uplus never deployed WCDMA; its 3G-class data service was CDMA2000 EV-DO on the CDMA network closed with 2G in June 2021. Inferred: Digital Daily (2025) lists only SKT and KT as 3G operators; no explicit EV-DO shutdown source found. Conflict: Kore lists 31 Dec 2017 for LG Uplus 3G; emnify shows no service.