3G shutdown: What devices are affected, and how to upgrade
The iPhone 6 is one of many devices that will be affected by the shutdown.
Consumers are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the year.
Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen said most New Zealanders were already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and would not need to take any action.
However anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected, including tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other devices connected to the internet.
"The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it's important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected," Brislen said.
Consumers can text '3G' to 550, free of charge, to check if their device will work after the 3G network was switched off.
Spark announced it would close off its 3G network on 31 March, 2026 and was upgrading 3G-only cell towers to 4G and 5G technology.
While affected customers would be receiving direct communication from Spark, it issued a list of common devices likely to be affected.
• iPhone 6
• Huawei Y5
• HMD Global Nokia 3310
• Mobiwire SAS Pocket 2
• Oppo A5 (AX5)
• Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro
• iPhone 5S
• Alcatel 1B
Brislen said consumers who need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible device should recycle their old handsets through recycling service RE:MOBILE at remobile.org.nz.
"Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Techday NZ
14 hours ago
- Techday NZ
New Zealand climbs global digital ranking but equity lags
The New Zealand government has recorded improvements across all measures in Adobe's 2024 Digital Government Index, with particular gains in customer experience and site performance, but digital equity continues to require focused attention. Progress in digital services The Digital Government Index (DGI), conducted annually by Adobe, benchmarks individual government agencies and departments on their delivery of functional and inclusive digital services. The 2024 results show New Zealand's overall score increased to 66.5 out of 100, representing an 11.6 per cent rise from its 2023 ranking and a 14.7 per cent lift from the inaugural 2022 assessment. This improvement moves New Zealand into the Intermediate maturity category, alongside all other countries in the study. The increase is largely attributed to a 14 per cent improvement in Customer Experience, which was the highest-rated globally, and a 13 per cent rise in Site Performance. However, the Digital Equity dimension saw only a 7 per cent increase, suggesting more work is needed to ensure equal access to services for all citizens. The Ministry of Education was the top-performing agency in New Zealand, achieving consistent results across the three DGI dimensions without leading in any single category. Strategic approach New Zealand's current digital strategy is guided by the Service Modernisation Roadmap, which was introduced in late 2024 and takes a unified agency approach to service improvement. It is managed by the Government Chief Digital Officer and relies on individual agencies to implement consistent service experiences across government operations. The modernisation programme is grounded in four key pillars: enhancing customer experience, developing reusable digital components, strengthening foundational systems, and improving digital governance. These focus areas are designed to produce efficient and equitable government services for all New Zealanders. "Scaled up across millions of customer interactions, there are opportunities for significant returns on investment from driving a more efficient, customer-centric approach to digital service delivery," said Paul James, Government Chief Digital Officer and Chair of the Digital Executive Board. Comparisons and rankings New Zealand was ranked third globally in the 2024 DGI, following the United Kingdom and Australia, and placed ahead of the United States, India and Singapore. The study assessed 102 agency websites worldwide, with Australia's myGov achieving the top overall score. French Administration and French Retirement completed the top three international websites. The highest-performing websites generally provided accessible entry points to government services, strong accessibility features, and personalised citizen journeys. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Education scored consistently across all measured areas to lead government agencies. Technology and trust Artificial intelligence continues to influence how public sector agencies deliver personalised digital experiences at scale. AI adoption is seen as important not only for automation, but also for constructing a citizen-centric public sector. When implemented strategically, technology such as AI can deliver secure, trusted, and fair experiences, supporting New Zealand's approach to regulation and governance. "Harnessing AI effectively could significantly improve customer experience and boost efficiency and productivity. The Government is seeking to enable AI innovation in public services to create value for New Zealanders while maintaining trust and confidence in the Public Service," said Paul James. Next steps The 2024 DGI results reflect progress in all three measured categories—customer experience, site performance, and digital equity—although individual agency results varied and no single organisation outperformed in every area. The report emphasises the importance of continued effort across all dimensions to meet the expectations of citizens and keep pace with technology advancements. The study also notes that agencies with more mature technology and personalisation capabilities tend to achieve higher DGI scores. The report concludes that while there has been commendable progress, there remains scope to expand inclusion efforts through technology improvements, in order to foster trust, participation and growth among all citizens.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
3G Shutdown: What Devices Are Affected, And How To Upgrade
Article – RNZ Consumers are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the year. Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen said most New Zealanders were already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and would not need to take any action. However anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected, including tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other devices connected to the internet. 'The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it's important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected,' Brislen said. Consumers can text '3G' to 550, free of charge, to check if their device will work after the 3G network was switched off. Spark announced it would close off its 3G network on 31 March, 2026 and was upgrading 3G-only cell towers to 4G and 5G technology. While affected customers would be receiving direct communication from Spark, it issued a list of common devices likely to be affected. iPhone 6 Huawei Y5 HMD Global Nokia 3310 Mobiwire SAS Pocket 2 Oppo A5 (AX5) Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro iPhone 5S Alcatel 1B Brislen said consumers who need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible device should recycle their old handsets through recycling service RE:MOBILE at 'Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill.'
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
3G Shutdown: What Devices Are Affected, And How To Upgrade
Consumers are being urged to get ready ahead of the shutdown of 3G mobile networks from the end of the year. Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen said most New Zealanders were already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and would not need to take any action. However anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected, including tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other devices connected to the internet. "The 3G shutdown is a positive step for our digital future, but it's important that anyone with 3G-reliant phones or devices checks now so they can stay connected," Brislen said. Consumers can text '3G' to 550, free of charge, to check if their device will work after the 3G network was switched off. Spark announced it would close off its 3G network on 31 March, 2026 and was upgrading 3G-only cell towers to 4G and 5G technology. While affected customers would be receiving direct communication from Spark, it issued a list of common devices likely to be affected. iPhone 6 Huawei Y5 HMD Global Nokia 3310 Mobiwire SAS Pocket 2 Oppo A5 (AX5) Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro iPhone 5S Alcatel 1B Brislen said consumers who need to upgrade to a 4G or 5G compatible device should recycle their old handsets through recycling service RE:MOBILE at "Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill."
