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Outlets caught selling unauthorised 2G terminals could face fines.
Singapore has announced that it will prohibit the sale of 2G-only devices from 1 January 2017.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) said that licensed retailers will still be able to sell 2G products to overseas markets.
However, any outlet caught selling 2G-only devices for the domestic market could be fined.
2G-only devices include mobile phones, point-of-sales (POS) terminals, and machine-to-machine equipment, the IMDA said.
Banning the sale of 2G-only products is in line with Singapore’s plan to retire its 2G networks on 1 April 2017. The IMDA is keen to refarm the spectrum for mobile broadband services. Singapore’s 2G networks use frequencies in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.
"IMDA will work with the three MNOs – M1, Singtel and StarHub – to continue to facilitate the migration of 2G users to 3G or 4G networks. Customers with 2G mobile phones may upgrade their devices while still maintaining their current plans and prices with no additional subscription costs," the IMDA said.
"IMDA strongly encourages consumers and enterprises to replace their 2G-only mobile devices with 3G or 4G-capable mobile devices before 1 April 2017 to avoid disruption to their mobile services," the watchdog advised.
