KT Halts New 3G Sign-Ups After SK Telecom, Nearing Shutdown

KT stopped accepting new 3G subscribers on Monday, following SK Telecom and placing South Korea's 3G mobile service on a path toward shutdown. Both carriers plan to wind down the network with government approval and refocus their infrastructure on LTE and 5G.

From Nov. 2, KT no longer accepts new registrations, number porting or device changes for 3G handsets and for LTE handsets that do not support HD Voice. SK Telecom has applied the same restrictions since Aug. 20.

The two carriers launched 3G in 2003, so recruitment of new customers is ending after 23 years. SK Telecom is aiming to close its 3G service at the end of 2027. KT will set a final date after receiving approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT.

Why the network is being retired

Discussion of a shutdown grew out of falling subscriber numbers and data traffic, along with aging equipment. With most users already on LTE and 5G, the cost of keeping the old network running and the efficiency of the spectrum it occupies came under review. The carriers say the resources freed up will go toward improving LTE and 5G quality and strengthening security.

The talks gained momentum in July, when the government asked the three carriers' chief executives to invest in AI-based next-generation networks. The carriers asked for wider investment support, such as tax credits, and for a policy framework to end legacy networks. The government said it would review a shutdown while prioritizing basic communication rights for vulnerable groups and protection of existing subscribers.

IoT lines are the hard part

Fully dismantling the network will depend on moving Internet of Things lines. Unlike the earlier 2G shutdown, which mainly involved personal phone users, 3G also connects devices such as elevator emergency call units and remote meter readers, some tied to public safety. For IoT lines, subscriber records alone may not reveal where a device is installed, so locating, replacing or reconfiguring each unit can take longer than switching a phone.

For remaining subscribers, KT offers three packages: a free replacement LTE or 5G device, a monthly discount of 12,000 won for 24 months, a handset purchase subsidy, or a discount of up to 14,000 won a month. Customers who cancel or move to another carrier receive separate support, and early-termination penalties are waived. SK Telecom runs its own device-swap and discount programs.