Recently, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) of Thailand announced a significant regulatory change today, Beginning June 30, 2025, the importation of telecommunications equipment and devices that operate solely on 2G and 3G networks will be officially prohibited. Additionally, the NBTC will no longer issue inspection and certification marks for such devices.

Execution timeline: Starting June 30, 2025.

The move reflects Thailand’s push to modernize its telecommunications infrastructure and support the country’s transition to advanced networks like 4G, 5G, and beyond. According to the NBTC, the outdated 2G and 3G technologies no longer meet the demands of modern communication and pose compatibility and efficiency challenges in the current digital landscape.

“The prohibition is part of our long-term strategy to streamline spectrum use and enhance connectivity across Thailand,” an NBTC spokesperson stated. “Phasing out older technologies allows us to allocate more resources to faster and more reliable networks.”

The decision is expected to impact manufacturers, importers, and telecom operators still reliant on legacy systems. However, officials stress that the policy does not affect devices supporting multi-band functionality (e.g., 4G or 5G alongside 2G/3G), which may still be eligible for import and certification.

Telecom providers in Thailand have already begun the process of retiring 2G and 3G services in recent years, and the NBTC’s announcement marks a decisive step toward completing that transition. Consumers using older handsets are encouraged to upgrade to newer models to ensure continued service and access to improved data speeds.

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