APAC operators unplug legacy networks to unlock 5G capacity
Investments have shifted toward faster mobile services as older systems are phased out.
The strong growth in 4G and 5G services across Asia-Pacific is accelerating the retirement of 2G and 3G networks as operators reallocate spectrum and investment toward higher-capacity networks, according to GlobalData.
GlobalData’s Asia-Pacific Total Mobile Broadband Forecast (Q1 2026) revealed 5G penetration at about 63% in 2025 and 4G at about 56%. At the same time, legacy technologies are in decline, with 2G penetration at about 6% and 3G at about 2% in 2025.
Both are expected to fall further by 2030 as operators complete shutdown programmes, according to GlobalData.
Several markets have already moved ahead with legacy retirements. In India, Bharti Airtel shut 3G in 2020 and Vodafone Idea completed its exit in 2025 whilst in Australia, Telstra, Optus and TPG shut 3G services in 2024 following earlier 2G retirements.
In Singapore, Singtel, M1, and StarHub shut 3G networks in 2024 after retiring 2G in 2017.
In New Zealand, 3G shutdowns were completed in early 2026, whilst Japan’s NTT Docomo and Spark New Zealand plan to retire 3G by end-2026.
GlobalData telecom analyst Kantipudi Pradeepthi said shutting 2G and 3G networks allows operators to free up capacity and improve network performance.
She said 5G enables higher speeds and lower latency needed for services such as IoT and private networks.
Operators are increasing investment in 5G upgrades where Singtel partnered with Ericsson in March 2026 on 5G Advanced development.
In Thailand, AIS launched an AI-based 5G Advanced network in May 2026. Bharti Airtel added more than 2,900 5G sites across 77 districts in June 2026.
GlobalData said the transition is improving spectrum efficiency and supporting expansion of digital services across manufacturing, transport, healthcare and smart city applications.
