IMDA sets new deadlines for default 2G shutdown and emergency cell broadcast
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has published IMDA TS CMT Issue 1 Rev 4 in March 2026. The specification sets the minimum technical requirements for Cellular Mobile Terminals (CMTs) used in Singapore’s public mobile systems, including LTE and 5G NR. In Annex B, IMDA identifies two key additions in Rev 4: a requirement to disable 2G connectivity by default and a requirement for emergency cell broadcast.
For the market, the enforcement dates are now clear. IMDA states on its official standards page that Section 5.2.3 on 2G disabling by default will be enforced on all handsets from 31 December 2026, while Section 5.4 on emergency cell broadcast will be enforced on all handsets from 1 April 2026. IMDA also states that both requirements exclude devices that reach End of Life before the respective enforcement dates.
What changed
Under Section 5.2.3, 2G connectivity must be switched off in the factory default configuration. A device must not connect, or attempt to connect, to 2G networks unless the user explicitly enables it, and reactivation must require a deliberate user action, such as changing a settings option or confirming a prompt.
Under Section 5.4, the new emergency cell broadcast requirements are more than a high-level feature statement. The specification requires the device to be configured according to Table 3, support CBS messages up to 1395 characters, support multiple languages, and display a warning notification automatically upon reception, without requiring user interaction.
Why it matters
For handset manufacturers, importers, and certification teams, this is a practical compliance update rather than a purely editorial revision. Any handset intended for sale and use in Singapore is subject to IMDA equipment registration, and IMDA requires compliance with the relevant technical specifications before registration. That makes software defaults, alert behaviour, verification scope, and product documentation immediate checkpoints for market access planning.
What companies should do now
A sensible next step is to review active and upcoming handset models against the new baseline. For products staying on the market beyond the enforcement dates, teams should confirm 2G default settings, emergency cell broadcast behaviour, and supporting test evidence early. For products nearing withdrawal, it is also worth checking whether the stated EOL exclusion applies. Early review should help reduce avoidable redesign work or approval delays later in the registration cycle.
