A mobile phone customer on any network can text 3G to 550 to check if their device is 4G-capable.

4G compatible phones are available from One NZ starting at $39, with special prepay deals available in store, the telco says. Its peers have similar specials.

Eroad, which uses One NZ for its vehicle tracking technology, expects some customers to lose connectivity with the 3G shutdown, despite a comprehensive campaign to encourage 4G upgrades that has cost the NZ-listed company millions.

Spark, 2degrees timing

Spark’s shutdown will begin on March 31.

2degrees began its shutdown on December 14, as it shuttered 3G service

Last Tuesday, 2degrees ended 3G service in Rotorua and Palmerston North.

No major issues have been apparent so far.

All going to plan, 2degrees will end all 3G service next Tuesday.

“3G is an old technology now, and it’s being closed down internationally. The next generation of mobile services – 4G and 5G – are designed for modern mobile use, whether that’s streaming, video calls or running multiple apps and programmes all requiring data,” 2degrees chief executive Mark Callander said.

“Modern networks need to be faster, more resilient and more sustainable. 3G simply can’t deliver the performance New Zealand now relies on.”

No 111 calls

“Phones that rely on 3G technology won’t connect to any networks after the shutdown, including making a 111 emergency call,” Telecommunications Carriers Forum (TCF) chief executive Paul Brislen said.

3G mobile networks were introduced in the 2000s, and Apple launched its first 4G-capable iPhone back in 2012.

But mid-year, the TCF warned that some newer 4G phones did not support the VoLTE, the 4G calling technology used by 2degrees, Spark and One NZ for voice calls over 4G in New Zealand – particularly models sold by parallel importers.

Retailers shouldn’t be selling a product with a limited lifespan, Brislen said. The mobile network operators first announced their “end of 2025″ deadline in 2023.

Xiaomi “4G” phones sold by PB Tech, Mighty Ape and Parallel Imported were a pain point until a VoLTE fix was delivered in July.

Some Kindles will be crimped

Many makers of so-called internet of things (IoT) devices have kept using 3G regardless – or kept it on for a long time – because they had low mobile data needs.

For example, any Amazon Kindle bought before 2021 downloads e-books via 3G if out of Wi-Fi range (really old Kindles – from 2009 or earlier – don’t have the option to connect to a Wi-Fi network).

And RNZ highlighted the case of a Christchurch woman who bought a gate in 2024. She recently discovered its cellular remote-control function would no longer work after the 3G shutdown. An upgrade would cost $1000.

Some IoT devices can also run on 2G. There is one 2G network left in the country – run by One NZ – which will be switched off on the same day as its 3G network.

Brislen said people should check with a retailer or manufacturer as soon as possible if a device will work after the 3G shutdown.

Complaints to watchdog

The Commerce Commission has received a number of complaints relating to products’ workability after the 3G shutdown, its general manager, fair trading, competition and credit Vanessa Horne said.

The majority of inquiries received relate to mobile phones losing functionality, Horne said.

But there are also complaints about vehicle monitors, an agricultural GPS and reporting system and a home security system.

“Under the Fair Trading Act, traders should not mislead consumers about the products and services that they sell. Traders should inform consumers of any upcoming changes when selling devices that may no longer work once the changes to 3G are implemented,” Horne said.

“If consumers are not informed of these changes at time of purchase, this could raise concerns under the Fair Trading Act.

“The CGA [Consumer Guarantees Act] guarantees that products should be of acceptable quality and be fit for their purpose, for a reasonable amount of time,” Horne said.

3G phones still in use

Spark said the following are the most common 3G phones on its network:

Spark says closing its 3G network “will free up limited radio spectrum to support the expansion of 5G and allow for continued investment in Spark’s 4G network across Aotearoa”.

While mobile users can still experience “4G drop out” – where their phone steps down to 3G because they move out of range of a 4G or 5G-capable celltower, all three mobile players say upgrades will eliminate this problem by the time they switch off their respective 3G networks.

In June 2025, Spark said, “Less than 4% of devices on our network rely on 3G to connect or are 4G devices that don’t support VoLTE [the technology used for 4G voice calling.”

4% would equate to just over 100,000 devices on the telco’s network of some 2.7m mobile connections between phones, tablets, wearables and various internet-of-things gadgets.

The telco expected that number to drop as its March 2026 switch-off approached. The Herald has requested an update.

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Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.