#3G network shutdown

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is fully shutting down 3G networks in the Philippines by September 30, 2025. The removal of these networks is timely since there’s an increase in online transactions during the holiday season. Globe and Smart are working with the DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to shut their legacy networks down. The Philippines remains among the slowest countries in transitioning away from 3G networks, with most mobile users still relying on older devices that do not support newer voice technologies. Based on data from network analytics firm Ookla, Voice over LTE (VoLTE) penetration in the country reached only 30.9% in 2025. This means nearly seven in 10 mobile users are still dependent on legacy 3G services ahead of the government-mandated shutdown of 3G networks by the end of 2026. VoLTE allows voice calls to run through 4G LTE networks and is considered a key step toward wider 4G and 5G adoption. PLDT’s extensive nationwide network infrastructure allows more households across the Philippines to access fiber prepaid services. Read more in our articles including "DICT fully shutting down 3G networks in the Philippines by September 30" and "PH among slowest countries in shift away from 3G".