Globe stops issuing 3G SIMs

Industry giant Globe Telecom wants to accelerate the migration of subscribers to LTE or 4G as it stopped issuing 3G SIM cards across all stores and distribution chains, a statement on Tuesday showed.

The shift from 3G to 4G allows subscribers to experience faster mobile internet speeds. But in many cases, it will also require customers to spend more by purchasing a 4G-capable smartphone.

Globe’s head of communications Yoly Crisanto said in a text message the company was offering free SIM card upgrades.

For those who need a new 4G device, she said they were providing “free device changes or a really low price on 4G/LTE devices.”

In its statement, Globe said 3G had brought important breakthroughs in internet access over the past two decades.

“However, new and better technologies like 4G LTE have been introduced since then, prompting many telecom companies across the world to stop offering 3G services while others are already in the process of doing the same,” Globe said in its statement.

Globe has yet to disclose how many of its 80 million subscribers are on 3G. It continues to support the 3G service and has not set any shut down date.

Mobile operators in the Uni­ted States, for example, have announced the gradual shutdown of 3G over the next two to three years. The shut down will also allow the telcos to free up frequencies for 5G, which incumbents Globe and PLDT Inc. are currently rolling out on a limited basis.

For now, Globe and PLDT are urging their 3G customers to shift to 4G, the prevailing mobile standard in the Philippines.

They also continue to support 2G, which is mainly used by subscribers using phones for basic call and text messaging features especially in areas with poor internet coverage. INQ