2G and 3G switch-off in China
Quick answer
2G in China: Reported closing. 3G is being switched off. 2G is reported off in Shanghai at China Unicom (December 2020) and China Telecom (April 2024), and closing at China Mobile, with Shanghai by the end of December 2026.
3GClosing
2GReported closing
Operators
Checked 1 November 2026.
Dates are set by each operator and can change. Check with us before you plan around them.
| Operator | 3G | 2G |
|---|---|---|
| China Unicom | No date announced | Reported off in Shanghai, December 2020 (The Paper, 9 July 2026); no operator notice yet |
| China Telecom | Closing, since 2020 | Reported off in Shanghai, April 2024 |
| China Mobile | Not confirmed | Reported closing, Shanghai by end of December 2026 |
Details
- China Unicom 2G. China Unicom says it has been slimming down its 2G network since early 2020 and moving the freed spectrum to 4G and 5G; it gives no final switch-off date. China Unicom
- China Unicom 3G. China Unicom has been cutting the spectrum used for 3G (WCDMA) since early 2020 and moving it to 4G and 5G, but has published no 3G switch-off date. China Unicom
- China Telecom 3G. China Telecom committed in 2020 to gradually stop using its 3G (CDMA EV-DO) network and wrote the assets down; it has published no completion date. China Telecom
- China Mobile 2G. The Paper reported the operators' 2G plans on 9 July 2026; no operator notice yet. The Paper
- China Unicom 2G. The Paper reported on 9 July 2026 that China Unicom's 2G in Shanghai was switched off in December 2020; no operator notice yet. The Paper
Regulator and government
- MIIT's 14th Five-Year Plan for the ICT industry (November 2021) calls for speeding up the exit of 2G and 3G networks and moving 2G/3G IoT services to NB-IoT, 4G (Cat-1) and 5G. It sets no national switch-off date; operators set their own plans. Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (published on gov.cn)
What this means for your devices
Each SIM profile has its own page, showing where it works and what it supports.
Common questions
When does 2G switch off in China?
Reported closing.
Is 3G still working in China?
Closing.
Sources
- China Unicom (Hong Kong) Limited Sustainability Report 2024, China Unicom
- China Telecom Corporation Limited Annual Report 2020, China Telecom
- The Paper, 9 July 2026, The Paper
- “十四五”信息通信行业发展规划 (工信部规〔2021〕164号), Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (published on gov.cn)
Checked 1 November 2026. Dates move, so check the operator’s own notice before you plan a change.