Mauritius 3G Phase-Out: ICTA Confirms Full Network Shutdown by 2028

A Small Island Nation Prepares for a Bigger Network Shift

Mauritius is joining a growing list of countries retiring their 3G networks, and the countdown has officially started. The Information and Communication Technology Authority, known locally as ICTA, has confirmed that mobile operators across the island will shut down 3G services entirely by 2028. For a country that has quietly built a reputation as one of Africa’s most connected digital economies, this move signals a deliberate step toward faster, more reliable mobile infrastructure. It also means that anyone relying on older 3G-only devices, from basic mobile phones to vehicle trackers, has a firm deadline to plan around.

What the ICTA Communique Actually Says

On May 28, 2026, ICTA issued a press communique formalizing what had already been in motion since October 2025, when the Mauritian government first endorsed the decision to phase out 3G. According to the notice, mobile network operators have already begun decommissioning their 3G infrastructure, with each operator following its own internal schedule. The regulator was clear that the shutdown supports a broader rollout of 4G and 5G services, which are expected to deliver faster speeds and more consistent coverage for both consumers and businesses.

Timeline Behind the Mauritius 3G Phase-Out

The Mauritius 3G phase-out did not happen overnight. The groundwork was laid in October 2025, when the government approved the transition following input from mobile operators about the operational realities of maintaining aging 3G infrastructure alongside newer networks. Operators have since started decommissioning 3G sites on a rolling basis rather than a single nationwide switch-off date. ICTA has set 2028 as the outer limit, meaning some networks could go dark even sooner depending on each operator’s rollout plan.

Which Devices Will Stop Working

Once 3G networks are switched off, any device that depends solely on that technology will lose connectivity. ICTA specifically flagged mobile phones, vehicle trackers, and machine-to-machine equipment as categories at risk. Many consumers in Mauritius already use 4G or 5G-capable smartphones, so the day-to-day impact for the general public is expected to be limited. The bigger concern lies with legacy industrial and IoT devices that were deployed years ago and never upgraded, since these often go unnoticed until the network they depend on simply stops working.

What Businesses Importing IoT Devices Should Do Now

For companies that import or distribute connected devices into Mauritius, this is a clear signal to review product roadmaps immediately. ICTA has explicitly called on the public and industry to stop importing and using devices that support only 3G connectivity, encouraging a shift toward 4G LTE and 5G compatible hardware instead. Any product still being certified, manufactured, or shipped with 3G-only modules for the Mauritian market should be reassessed now, well ahead of the 2028 deadline, to avoid stranded inventory or compliance headaches down the line.

Key Takeaways

• The Mauritius 3G phase-out will be complete by 2028 at the latest, giving businesses and consumers a fixed but not immediate window to transition.
• Mobile operators are decommissioning 3G on individual timelines, so some networks may shut down earlier than others.
• IoT and M2M devices such as vehicle trackers are more exposed to disruption than consumer smartphones, since most consumers already use 4G or 5G devices.
• Companies importing connected products into Mauritius should confirm 4G or 5G compatibility now rather than waiting for operator-specific shutdown announcements.
• Clients with existing deployments in Mauritius should be advised to audit their device fleets for 3G dependency as part of standard regulatory risk management.

Source

https://www.icta.mu/documents/2026/05/communique_sunsetting28May.pdf