Extension of Retirement Date of 3G Network Pending Upgrading of Town Infrastructure to 4G- or 5G-Compatible Devices

Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked the Minister for National Development in light of the announced retirement of the 3G network (a) whether the Government has considered the implications on existing town infrastructure, such as lift management devices in elevators, that are using the 3G network; and (b) whether the Government will consider an extension of the retirement date if Town Councils are found to be behind in the upgrading of said infrastructure to 4G- or 5G-compatible devices.

All lifts in the Housing and Development Board (HDB) blocks are installed with Lift Monitoring Devices (LMDs) to monitor the lifts' performance and operating status.

In 2021, HDB launched the LMD Enhancement Programme as part of efforts to enhance the reliability of lifts in HDB estates. Under this programme, HDB will replace all LMDs that are still operating on the 3G network with LMDs that operate on the 4G network to enhance connectivity, data processing capability and cybersecurity. HDB is working with the vendors to accelerate the replacement works for the remaining lifts and targets to complete the programme by end-2025.

LMDs on 3G networks will continue to be supported until they are all replaced under the LMD Enhancement Programme. IMDA requires network operators to ensure that the remaining 3G enterprise subscribers successfully migrate to the 4G or 5G networks before the 3G networks are retired.

The Ministry of National Development and HDB are working with the Ministry of Communications and Information, Infocomm Media Development Authority and the mobile network operators to manage the transition to 4G-enabled LMDs alongside the retirement of 3G networks. HDB has been progressively rolling out the LMD replacements and will engage the respective Town Councils on the scheduling of replacement works in their towns in due course.