MTS will accelerate the shutdown of 3G networks in 2026

MTS will accelerate the transfer of 3G to LTE frequencies and shut down most of the remaining third-generation base stations in 2026. This was reported in the company's press service.

They explained that in Russia, the share of users of older phones that supported only 3G is 1.4%, and the share of those who access the Internet from such devices does not exceed 0.6% of the total MTS subscriber base. 3G devices are being replaced by LTE smartphones and tablets — their share in the subscriber base has grown to 89.7%.

"The number of 3G-only phones in the hands of our users is decreasing faster than expected. In some regions, the share of such subscribers is only half a percent, and the share of data-generating 3G devices without LTE tends to zero. Since 2023, we have started pilots to disable 3G networks, then we started gradually shutting down entire cities," MTS CEO Inessa Galaktionova said at the Digital Solutions forum of the Ministry of Digital Development.

MTS shuts down the outdated UMTS (3G) standard networks and transfers the released frequencies to LTE (4G). "This increases data transfer speeds by 20-25%, and expands subscribers' access to digital services and high—quality VoLTE voice transmission technology," the company noted.

This year, the company plans to turn off half of the remaining 3G base stations in the country: 25% have already been turned off, and another 25% will be decommissioned by the end of December. During 2026, most of the remaining 3G locations will be disabled, with a minor point presence remaining in 2027.

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