The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of the Philippines has accelerated its plan to modernize the country's wireless infrastructure. In a series of recent directives, the NTC has mandated a nationwide 3G network shutdown by December 31, 2026, and is imposing immediate restrictions on the type approval of legacy-only devices.
The 3G Sunset and Beyond
To free up radio frequency spectrum for more efficient 4G and 5G technologies, the NTC is requiring all telecommunications operators to phase out their 3G services completely by the end of 2026. This transition is aimed at improving mobile data speeds and overall network reliability across the archipelago.
New Certification Restrictions
Effective immediately, the NTC has moved to restrict the entry of legacy devices into the Philippines. The commission will no longer accept type approval applications for wireless devices that exclusively or primarily support 2G and 3G functionalities. Manufacturers are urged to ensure that all new submissions for the Philippines market are natively compatible with 4G/LTE or 5G technologies.
Important Deadlines:
- Legacy Application Freeze: Ongoing, applications for 2G/3G-only devices are being rejected.
- Nationwide 3G Shutdown: To be completed by December 31, 2026.
HertzWeg Insight:
"The Philippines is taking a firm stance on technological evolution. Manufacturers must pivot away from legacy connectivity for this market. We recommend reviewing your product roadmap to ensure all future Philippines-bound hardware supports VoLTE and modern data bands to avoid certification roadblocks."
Need help navigating NTC certification during the 3G sunset? HertzWeg provides the expertise and local representation required to ensure your products remain compliant in the Philippines.