MANILA, Sept. 20 -- 3G networks are on track to be phased out by the end of September, while the 2G shutdown is ongoing as part of the Department of Information and Communications Technology's (DICT) efforts to stamp out illegal activities that use the two technologies.

In a press conference in Makati City on Friday night, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said both DITO Telecommunity (DITO) and Globe Telecom (Globe) have already phased out 3G networks, while Smart Communications (Smart) has committed to phasing out 3G by the end of the month.

"Why is that important? Kasi yung mga tinatawag nating (Because those things we call) IMSI catcher, the one that grabs your cellphone details and the one that hackers and scammers use to fool you, will b...