logo
New Zealand Is Saying Goodbye To 3G: Are You Ready For The Change?

New Zealand Is Saying Goodbye To 3G: Are You Ready For The Change?

Scoop3 days ago

Press Release – NZ Telecommunications Forum – TCF
Simply text 3G to 550 from any mobile phone to instantly find out if your device is ready for the change, or to receive clear instructions on what to do next.
New Zealand's 3G mobile networks will shutdown from the end of 2025 and now is the time for consumers to get ready.
While most New Zealanders are already using 4G or 5G-compatible devices and won't need to take any action, anyone with a 3G-reliant phone or device may be affected. This includes tablets, medical alarms, security alarms, business equipment, vehicle trackers and other connected IoT devices. It's crucial to check you can stay connected.
To help New Zealanders prepare, we're launching a nationwide consumer awareness campaign, alongside a new, free-text checker tool from our three mobile network operators.
Simply text '3G' to 550 from any mobile phone to instantly find out if your device is ready for the change, or to receive clear instructions on what to do next.
Telecommunications Forum CEO Paul Brislen is encouraging everyone:
'Don't wait – text '3G' to 550 today and make sure you stay connected after the 3G shutdown.'
'The majority of consumers won't be affected by the shutdown but for those who are it's important they know well in advance and know what to do.'
Phones that rely on 3G technology won't connect to any networks after the shutdown, including making a 111 emergency call.
'We want to help New Zealanders stay connected as we move to faster, more reliable networks. 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.'
For those who need to upgrade to a 4G compatible device, the TCF urges consumers to recycle their old handsets through RE:MOBILE.
'Mobile phones contain valuable materials that can be reused, as well as components that are harmful to the environment if sent to landfill. By recycling your old phone with RE:MOBILE you're helping protect New Zealand's environment and supporting a more sustainable future. Don't throw your old phone in the bin! Give it a second life and do your part for our planet', says Paul Brislen.
Find out more here: Understanding The 3G Shutdown | NZ Telecommunications Forum: https://www.tcf.org.nz/digital-living/understanding-the-3g-shutdown
About the TCF
The NZ Telecommunications Forum (TCF) was established in 2002. It plays a vital role in the telecommunications industry in New Zealand, collaboratively developing key industry standards and codes of practice that underpin the country's digital economy. Our objective is to actively foster cooperation among the telecommunications industry's participants, to enable the efficient provision of regulated and non-regulated telecommunications services.
TCF Members include: 2degrees, AWACS, Chorus, Connexa, Devoli, Electric Kiwi, Enable Networks, FortySouth, Kordia, Lightwire, Mercury, Northpower Fibre, NOW, One NZ, Spark, Symbio Networks, Tuatahi First Fibre, Vector Fibre. WISPA-NZ, which represents 28 Wireless Internet Service Providers and Hourua Limited are also Associate Members of TCF.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

New Voluntary Nature Credits Market Must Have Integrity
New Voluntary Nature Credits Market Must Have Integrity

Scoop

timean hour ago

  • Scoop

New Voluntary Nature Credits Market Must Have Integrity

Forest & Bird cautiously welcomes today's government announcement on the development of a high integrity 'voluntary nature credits market' in Aotearoa New Zealand. Launched during the national Fieldays at Mystery Creek in Hamilton by Minister Hoggard, the news indicates the direction the Government is taking to establish a voluntary system that matches investors with conservation projects focused on protecting biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions. As participation in this market is completely voluntary, it is separate from compulsory emissions trading systems (ETS) requirements and RMA offset regulations, which are tied to regulatory consenting processes. 'While we see this as a useful step, and it will help support people and organisations who wish to voluntarily invest in biodiversity, we have reservations that it could become a vehicle for offsetting environmental harm,' says Richard Capie, Forest & Bird's, Group Manager, Conservation Advocacy and Policy. Forest & Bird's fear is that international and domestic investors – including developers, oil, mining, and primary industry interests – will engage in this market to cover up damage being caused to New Zealand's vulnerable ecosystems and wildlife. 'We're concerned they will use this market to 'greenwash' their public image,' says Mr Capie. 'We need to ensure that any external biodiversity incentive system has high integrity and is sustainable – that real, enduring outcomes for nature are achieved and it is not used to mask environmental damage. 'This new market should not undermine or replace government investment in nature, and it should bring additional resources to restore and protect our important flora and fauna. Ultimately, New Zealanders rightly expect government to look after our incredible wildlife and wild places and invest accordingly. Forest & Bird will be watching with interest to see how this develops.' The Ministry for the Environment says that the intention of the new system is not to create a platform to offset effects on the environment, instead, the government wants to create a system where individuals or organisations can voluntarily invest in nature. This would come with assurances that their investment adheres to recognised standards developed through this new system. There will be guiding principles in place, one of the key principles being that any project must deliver additional benefits to the environment. Nine pilot projects are already underway, all privately funded. However, the original intention of a voluntary nature credits market (or biodiversity credit system) was to sit alongside and compliment the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPSIB), so landowners could be appropriately compensated for looking after 'significant natural areas' (SNA's) on their property – supporting on-the-ground conservation, such as reforestation, wetland restoration, or planting native vegetation.

Transpower Proposes Further Investment In Power Supply For Hawke's Bay
Transpower Proposes Further Investment In Power Supply For Hawke's Bay

Scoop

timean hour ago

  • Scoop

Transpower Proposes Further Investment In Power Supply For Hawke's Bay

Transpower plans to invest $47.0 million to rebuild its Redclyffe substation to better protect Hawke's Bay's electricity supply against flooding and earthquakes. The national electricity transmission grid owner submitted a proposal to the Commerce Commission today for approval to rebuild the main 220kV switchyard on the existing site, raising essential equipment out of the reach of potential flood waters. Transpower's Executive General Manager Grid Development Matt Webb said this is another aspect of the work to rebuild the substation after it was flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023. 'After Cyclone Gabrielle, we made a commitment to the people of Hawke's Bay to make their region's power supply more resilient to extreme weather and seismic events,' he said. 'Residents can be confident that our interim upgrades have protected their power supply, and the work we're proposing now will make Redclyffe substation flood resilient to a 1-in-450-year flooding event and much more resilient to earthquakes. 'For the people of Napier, Hastings and surrounding areas, that would mean the power is more likely to stay on during catastrophic weather events like Cyclone Gabrielle.' Mr Webb said Transpower has already completed significant work at Redclyffe substation to improve security of supply in the region since Cyclone Gabrielle. Interim upgrades to the 110 kV switchyard were made in 2023 to make the equipment there more resilient to flooding, and an interim 220 kV control room has also been installed above the flood level. A new 220 kV/110 kV interconnecting transformer is currently being installed that will significantly boost reliability of electricity supply in the region. Under New Zealand's electricity transmission regulatory framework, the Commerce Commission reviews and approves Transpower's work plans to ensure investment is cost-effective and in the long-term interests of New Zealanders. 'We've engaged extensively with local communities on our plans for the region alongside our local lines company partner Unison Networks,' Mr Webb said. 'We believe this is the most cost-effective approach that also takes into account growing demand for electricity in the region. We have strong support from key stakeholders for our proposal and we look forward to the Commerce Commission rigorously testing our plans and costings.' Once the Commerce Commission approve the proposal, Transpower expects to start the work in October 2026 and finish by December 2027. The work can be completed without any impact to local electricity supply, Mr Webb said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store