SK Telecom has begun preliminary procedures to shut down its third-generation (3G) mobile service. SK Telecom said that starting on the 20th it will stop accepting new subscriptions for 3G devices and for LTE devices that do not support "HD Voice." Number portability, device changes, and SIM swaps will also be restricted. These LTE devices use the 3G network for voice calls, making normal use difficult once network operations end.
SK Telecom said it is pushing to end the service as the number of 3G users and data usage decline while devices and network equipment continue to age. The secured spectrum and network resources are expected to be used for next-generation networks such as LTE and 5G.
SK Telecom's 3G service, launched in 2003, laid the foundation for the spread of video calls and mobile internet. Major overseas carriers such as Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T in the United States and NTT Docomo and KDDI in Japan have also shut down or been working to shut down their 3G networks, citing subscriber declines and spectrum efficiency.
SK Telecom will help existing customers move to LTE and 5G and plans to apply to the Ministry of Science and ICT for approval to end the service.