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The 3G network uses older technology, which has been surpassed by the arrival of 4G and 5G that use newer, more power-efficient technologies that also have more capability - and capacity.

Did you know that our company launched New Zealand's first 3G GSM network way back in August 2005.

With a limited number of radio frequencies available to us, like other mobile network providers around the world, we're reallocating this resource toward the 5G network rollout and expanding our 5G coverage for more New Zealanders.
To see if 4G or 5G are already available in your area, simply use our network coverage map .

The 3G (and 2G) networks were switched off from 20th Jan to 23rd March.

You will hear this message because you have a phone that is at high risk of not being able to make 111 emergency calls.

If you bought your phone from overseas or from a parallel importer, we can’t guarantee that your phone will be able to make 111 emergency calls after 2G and 3G are completely switched off. You may still be able to make standard voice calls

To ensure your phone is working correctly and to find out how to stay connected, please free TXT '3G' to 550."

To keep using our mobile services, you’ll need a phone that’s fully compatible with our network. If you don’t upgrade to a 4G/5G approved phone before the 3G network has switched off, your phone may stop working properly, including sending and receiving TXTs, making or receiving voice calls, using data, and even calling 111 in an emergency.

Prepay mobile plan customers

You will have received TXT messages from us letting you know that we had moved you to a PrePay Pay & Go . This enables you to upgrade to an approved phone and means:

• No unnecessary charges: You won't be billed for a plan you can't properly use.
• Safe keeping: We will hold onto your mobile phone number and existing Prepay balance until you upgrade to an approved phone and top up within 360 days to reactivate your mobile services. After 360 days, your mobile phone number may be reallocated to another user.
• Mobile services paused: During this time (360 days), you won't be able to use One NZ services or your existing balance until you have upgraded to an approved phone.

You won’t be able to use One NZ services until you reactivate them.

How to reactivate your One NZ mobile services:

• You must take action ASAP.
• Simply upgrade to any One NZ approved phone and top up within 360 days.
• Once you do, you can either top up and remain on the existing Prepay plan, change to another Prepay mobile plan or switch over to a Pay Monthly mobile plan of your choice to start using your mobile phone number, mobile services and balance again.

Pay Monthly mobile plan customers

If you have a phone that won’t work properly after the 3G network has shut down, and won’t support full use of our mobile services, you will have received TXT messages from us letting you know that we will credit billing on your mobile plan for 2 months. If no action is taken during this 2-month period, you will be moved to a Prepay Pay & Go mobile plan. This means:

• No unnecessary charges: We will credit billing for 2 months.
• Time to make changes: You will have 2 months to upgrade your phone if you want to continue to use One NZ services. If you haven’t upgraded your phone within 2 months, you will be moved to a Prepay Pay & Go mobile plan.
• Safe keeping: We will hold onto your phone number until you take action to reactivate your mobile services within 2 months. After this your mobile phone number may be reallocated to another user.
• Mobile services paused: You won't be able to use One NZ mobile services or your existing balance until you have upgraded to an approved phone.

You won’t be able to use One NZ services until you reactivate them.

How to reactivate your One NZ mobile services:

• You must take action within 2 months.
• Simply upgrade to any One NZ approved phone within 2 months. Once you do, you will remain on your existing mobile plan.

Important things to know:

• If you don't take action within 2 months, you will be moved to a Prepay Pay & Go plan. You will still need to upgrade to a One NZ approved phone and top up within 360 days to reactivate your mobile services under this plan.
• If you don’t take action within 2 months, your mobile phone number may be reallocated, your services will be disconnected and any remaining credit balance will be lost.
• If you haven’t purchased your phone directly from One NZ, we can’t guarantee it will be able to make 111 emergency calls. To ensure your phone is fully compatible with our 4G/5G network, please check that your phone is on our 4G capable (VoLTE) list here.
• See full mobile terms.

This will depend on the type of phone or wireless modem that you have.

Most 4G/5G phones will work fine but there are a couple of things to bear in mind:

• You may need to ensure you have downloaded and installed the latest phone updates and then enabled 4G/5G data and 4G/5G voice calling (also called “VoLTE” in your phone settings).
• Some older 4G phones may not work for 4G/VoLTE voice calling although 4G data and text/SMS will probably continue to work. Again, ensure you have downloaded and installed the latest phone updates and then enabled 4G/5G data and 4G/5G voice calling (also called “VoLTE” in your phone settings).
• Please look at our phone instructions on this page.

Some wireless modems for wireless and rural broadband will be impacted and we will contact you directly to outline your options here.

You can check if 4G is available in your area on this map . If 4G is available and you have a 4G/5G phone, then make sure you have downloaded and installed the latest phone updates and then enabled 4G/5G data and 4G/5G voice calling (also called “VoLTE” in your phone settings).

Rural Connectivity Group (RCG or what we’ve called the ‘rural 3G network’) is an alliance between the three NZ mobile networks (One NZ, Spark and 2degrees) and the NZ Government to provide mobile network coverage to remote parts of the country. It is mostly focused on 4G coverage but around 20% of the RCG coverage area also has 3G coverage, generally found along some highways.

Any One NZ customer who is using this rural 3G network for mobile voice calling or data in an RCG area, will no longer be able to do so. Any 111 emergency calls made by a One NZ customer will use Spark NZ’s 3G network until the end of March 2026 (when their 3G network will be shut down). 2degrees switched off their RCG 3G late 2025.

Many of our 4G and 5G phones support WiFi Calling – also known as Voice over WiFi (VoWiFi). This will allow you to make a voice call over WiFi from anywhere in the world you can get a WiFi connection. Check in your Mobile settings that “WiFi Calling” or “VoWiFi” is enabled.

Visit this page to learn more and see if your phone supports this feature.

The One NZ Satellite TXT and data service are available on a range of eligible phones, with more becoming eligible over the coming months. Customers will receive a TXT message notifying them that they have the service.

Phones purchased outside of New Zealand (including parallel imports) may not be compatible.

Our list of eligible phones will be updated as more phones complete testing, however it is likely that older 4G phones that don’t support 4G/5G voice calling (VoLTE) and VoLTE roaming will also not work on the One NZ Satellite TXT service – another reason we recommend upgrading to a compatible phone.

See full list of One NZ Satellite compatible phones here.

IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of devices that connect to the internet to collect and share data. These devices can be anything from smartwatches and home security cameras to industrial sensors and farm equipment. If you have any IoT devices that rely or use on the 2G or 3G network, these will stop working once the network shuts down. Please replace these with 4G-capable devices ASAP.

In simple terms, IoT allows everyday objects to "talk" to each other and to us, helping automate tasks, improve efficiency, and provide useful insights. For example, a smart fridge can track food expiry dates, or a GPS tracker in a vehicle can help businesses monitor deliveries in real time.

Internet of Things Examples

You likely use IoT devices every day. The list below outlines a few examples of IoT in action across our everyday lives and industries:

1. Health Monitoring & Medical Devices

• Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) – Monitor heart rate, sleep, and activity, alerting users to potential health issues.
• Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) – Devices track blood pressure, glucose levels, or heart rhythms and send real-time data to doctors for early intervention.

2. Smart Homes

• Smart Thermostats – Learn your schedule and adjust temperature to save energy.
• Security Cameras & Doorbells (e.g., Ring, Arlo) – Allow homeowners to monitor and communicate with visitors remotely.
• Smart Appliances – Fridges that track food expiry or washing machines that notify you when a cycle is done.

3. Smart Buildings

• Automated Lighting & HVAC – Sensors adjust lighting and temperature based on occupancy to save energy.
• Leak & Air Quality Sensors – Detect leaks, smoke, or poor air quality to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

4. Smart Construction

• IoT Enabled Equipment Monitoring – Sensors on heavy machinery track usage, predict maintenance needs, and reduce downtime.
• Wearable Safety Gear – Smart helmets and vests monitor workers' location and detect falls or fatigue to enhance safety.
• Smart Concrete Sensors – Measure temperature and moisture levels to optimise curing and improve building quality.

5. Lone Worker Safety

• Wearable Panic Buttons – Employees in remote areas can send emergency alerts with GPS location if they need help.
• Fall Detection Devices – Smart sensors detect sudden falls and automatically trigger an alert for assistance.

6. Connected Vehicles & Logistics

• Fleet Tracking – GPS and sensors help businesses monitor trucks, optimise routes, and reduce fuel costs.
• Smart Cars – Some vehicles diagnose mechanical issues and alert the driver or even call emergency services in an accident.

7. Smart Cities & Infrastructure

• Traffic Management – Sensors in roads and traffic lights help reduce congestion.
• Smart Streetlights – Adjust brightness based on movement to save energy.

8. Agriculture & Farming

• Soil Sensors – Monitor moisture levels and optimize irrigation.
• Smart Livestock Tags – Track animal health and location, reducing losses.

Start by TXTing ‘3G’ to 550 from your phone.

Most 4G phones and 5G phones will work fine but there are a couple of things to bear in mind:

• You may need to download and install the latest phone OS updates and then enable 4G/5G data and 4G/5G voice calling (also called “VoLTE” in your phone settings).
• Some older 4G phones may not work for 4G/VoLTE voice calling although 4G data and text/SMS will probably continue to work. Again - ensure you have downloaded and installed the latest phone updates and then enabled 4G/5G data and 4G/5G voice calling (also called “VoLTE” in your phone settings).

3G-only phones tend to be quite old now. For example, iPhone 4S supported 2G and 3G networks, and iPhone 5 was the first iPhone model to support 4G data, while it used 3G for calls.
iPhone 6 was the first to use 4G for voice calls. So any iPhone model newer than iPhone 6 will work with our 4G network for calling.
Beyond that, iPhone 12 was the first iPhone model to be 5G-capable.
For Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S4 was the first S Series phone to use 4G, meaning the Galaxy S4 and newer phones are 4G capable.

Tablets and iPad models can work on our mobile network of course. It was the 3rd generation iPad with cellular that first came with support for 4G, and that launched in early 2012.

Free TXT 3G to 550 from your mobile phone to check.

A list of 4G and 5G VoLTE capable phones is available here so you can check if your phone supports VoLTE. If you’re still unsure, pop into a One NZ store , and the team will check for you.

If you’re unsure what model your phone is, you’ll find this information in your phone’s settings.

If you have an incompatible SIM card that needs replacing, we have contacted you via SMS.

If your phone is fully 4G/5G compatible then you won’t need to change your SIM card. If you need to upgrade your phone, then it is possible that your new phone will require a smaller SIM card, which you may need to visit a One NZ retail store to get your connection switched over to this new SIM card. You can still keep your existing phone number. Find out more about swapping your SIM here .

Follow these steps to see if your phone is 4G ready:

• First, check if your phone is 4G-capable. See our list of 4G VoLTE capable phones and 5G-capable phones .
• Ensure your phone’s software is up to date and the VoLTE service has been enabled in your device settings. If needed, you can access instructions for enabling VoLTE .
• Update your device settings to connect to 4G using these user guides .
• Check you're in an area with 4G coverage using our network coverage map .

Having issues connecting to 4G?
Contact us

You can check out our great range of 4G phones . and 5G capable phones .
To find the best option for you, talk to one of our mobile experts or visit us in-store .

There is a wide range of other devices beyond mobile phones and smartphones that can connect over our mobile data network such as;

• Tablets, iPads and laptops.
• Watches and other wearables.
• Home monitoring including doorbells and cameras.
• Farm gates and other equipment.
• Motor vehicle tracking.

If you have put a SIM card into any of these types of devices to connect them using our mobile network, you’ll need to check them to make sure they will continue to work after we shutdown our 3G and 2G networks.

If you have purchased a repeater that only boosts 2G or 3G signals, then the coverage it provides will disappear when we switch off our 2G and 3G networks from end of December 2025.

There isn't a way for us to identify who and where these repeaters are being used as these devices simply amplify our mobile network radio signal and do not connect directly to our network like devices with SIM cards do.

Please ensure that you check any repeater devices and contact the supplier to confirm whether it will be impacted by the network shutdown. If replacing your repeater/booster, please note that some suppliers claim their repeaters work effectively in New Zealand but they don’t and can cause interference to mobile networks. It’s important to check that the devices support our 4G frequency bands such as the CEL-FI Go booster devices available in NZ.

If you sourced a repeater via Vodafone NZ or One NZ then you should already have been contacted by us if it needs to be replaced with a new solution. If you have not been contacted, please get in touch with your Account Manager or Service Delivery Manager directly.

VoLTE stands for ‘Voice over LTE’ and it means 4G/5G voice calling. When 3G is shutdown then VoLTE will the be standard way to make mobile voice calls with 4G/5G mobile phones. You can learn more about VoLTE .

There are a few older devices that will be affected when we shut down the 3G network:

• 3G only data modems with or without landline calling.
• 4G data modems that use 3G for landline calling (if they are only used for data then no changes are required).
• Homephone Wireless 3G devices used for landline calling.

Don’t worry if you have one of these devices, we will be contacting you soon to let you know exactly what will happen.

We will compare the phone number you use to message the SMS checker against our records, so that we can tell you whether your device is 4G/5G compatible. We will use and protect your information in accordance with our privacy policy https://one.nz/legal/policy/privacy/ .

Here is a breakdown of what your responses mean:

You will need to upgrade to an approved phone

If you received one of these messages, your phone is not compatible once 3G shuts down. Please visit a One NZ store to explore your upgrade options – we’re here to help!

Message	What it means
Your phone is only able to connect through 2G or 3G so you’ll need to upgrade to a new phone soon.	Your phone does not have any 4G capabilities.
Your phone may work for 4G data but it won’t be able to make 4G voice calls (including emergency calls).	Your phone does not support 4G calling.

You should upgrade to an approved phone for the best possible coverage.

If you received any of these messages, your phone doesn’t have the technology to receive the best 4G/5G coverage possible.

Message	What it means
Your phone won’t get the best 4G/5G coverage in rural areas or inside large buildings.	This means you may experience poorer coverage when inside large buildings or in rural areas - you may already experience dropped calls. An approved phone upgrade would fix this.

You need to update your phone settings

If you received one of these messages, your phone may work – but you’ll need to update your phone’s software and enable 4G/5G data and calling (VoLTE). See top of this page for how-to steps.

Message	What it means
Your phone isn’t tested by One NZ.	This means you have a phone model that isn’t tested for 4G/5G calling.
Your phone isn’t using 4G/5G for voice calls right now.	Due to your phone’s default setting.
Your phone is making 4G/5G calls, but not guaranteed for emergency calls.	As it’s not a phone model that we have tested, we can’t guarantee this.

You need to update your phone settings

If you received one of these messages, your phone may work – but you’ll need to update your phone’s software and enable 4G/5G data and calling (VoLTE). See top of this page for how-to steps.

Message	What it means
Your phone is using older 2G/3G networks for calls.	Due to your phone’s default setting.
Your phone isn’t using the 4G/5G networks right now.	Due to your phone’s default setting.
Not currently making 4G/5G calls.	Due to your phone’s default setting. Please switch on 4G/5G calling (VoLTE).
If you bought your phone from overseas or from a parallel importer, we can’t guarantee it will work.	We can’t guarantee that your phone will work for 4G/5G voice calls or emergency calling.

Check again next month.

If you received the message below, it may mean we may not have the latest info just yet. Just check back again next month. If you still have concerns, just contact our team or visit in store.

This phone checker uses best efforts to assess phones but may not be 100% perfect.

Message	What it means
We don’t have any records for your phone.	You may have recently changed your phone or recently signed up as a One NZ.
Or have an uncommon model of phone or device we can’t track	We can’t track your phone model or device.

You’re good to go!

If you received one of these messages, great news — your phone is working well!

If you bought it from a NZ mobile provider or manufacturer’s NZ website, emergency calls will work too.

• Your phone is working well for 4G/5G data and calling.
  

An increasing number of our overseas roaming partners are also shutting down their 3G networks. Depending on where you’re travelling, you may need a 4G/VoLTE-roaming capable phone to access mobile services in that country. See more details about roaming and overseas 3G networks here .

In-building coverage solutions that only work on 3G will need to be replaced before the end of December 2025. Affected customers will be contacted in the coming months to discuss their options, but if you have any queries regarding your existing solution, contact your One NZ Account Manager or Service Manager.

After 3G switches off, CSD services will stop working. So we recommend switching to a 4G or 5G mobile data service instead - contact your Account Manager or Service Manager to discuss your options.

For better coverage at home, we recommend using Wifi Calling. Wifi Calling allows calls to be made over Wifi in areas with poor coverage. All business services will have Wifi Calling enabled before the 3G network switches off.

If you don’t upgrade their phones to full capable 4G phones before the 3G network switches off, their phones will work ineffectively or become unable to make any voice calls and use data at all – including emergency calls.

Once 3G switches off, these devices may not work completely or work ineffectively. We recommend upgrading to 4G devices for data connectivity as soon as possible to ensure the best data experience.

There are a few older devices that will be affected when we shut down the 3G network:

• 3G only data modems with or without landline calling.
• 4G data modems that use 3G for landline calling (if they are only used for data then no changes are required).
• Homephone Wireless 3G devices used for landline calling.

Don’t worry if you have one of these devices, we will be contacting you soon to let you know exactly what will happen.

What happens will depend on the device, the service, and coverage in your area. In the coming months, we'll continue communicating with affected businesses we’re already in touch with and reach out to others we know will be affected. We also recommend proactively reviewing applications that use these technologies and conducting your own technological assessment. Then, if you have any questions or want to discuss your options, contact your One NZ Account Manager or Service Manager.

IoT - 3G switch off

IoT (Internet of Things) is a network of devices that connect to the internet to collect and share data. These devices can be anything from smartwatches and home security cameras to industrial sensors and farm equipment.

In simple terms, IoT allows everyday objects to "talk" to each other and to us, helping automate tasks, improve efficiency, and provide useful insights. For example, a smart fridge can track food expiry dates, or a GPS tracker in a vehicle can help businesses monitor deliveries in real time.

Learn more about how the 2G and 3G networks shutting down affects One NZ IoT.

Internet of Things Examples

You likely use IoT devices every day. The list below outlines a few examples of IoT in action across our everyday lives and industries:

1. Health Monitoring & Medical Devices

• Smartwatches & Fitness Trackers (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit) – Monitor heart rate, sleep, and activity, alerting users to potential health issues.
• Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) – Devices track blood pressure, glucose levels, or heart rhythms and send real-time data to doctors for early intervention.

2. Smart Homes

• Smart Thermostats – Learn your schedule and adjust temperature to save energy.
• Security Cameras & Doorbells (e.g., Ring, Arlo) – Allow homeowners to monitor and communicate with visitors remotely.
• Smart Appliances – Fridges that track food expiry or washing machines that notify you when a cycle is done.

3. Smart Buildings

• Automated Lighting & HVAC – Sensors adjust lighting and temperature based on occupancy to save energy.
• Leak & Air Quality Sensors – Detect leaks, smoke, or poor air quality to improve safety and reduce maintenance costs.

4. Smart Construction

• IoT Enabled Equipment Monitoring – Sensors on heavy machinery track usage, predict maintenance needs, and reduce downtime.
• Wearable Safety Gear – Smart helmets and vests monitor workers' location and detect falls or fatigue to enhance safety.
• Smart Concrete Sensors – Measure temperature and moisture levels to optimise curing and improve building quality.

5. Lone Worker Safety

• Wearable Panic Buttons – Employees in remote areas can send emergency alerts with GPS location if they need help.
• Fall Detection Devices – Smart sensors detect sudden falls and automatically trigger an alert for assistance.

6. Connected Vehicles & Logistics

• Fleet Tracking – GPS and sensors help businesses monitor trucks, optimise routes, and reduce fuel costs.
• Smart Cars – Some vehicles diagnose mechanical issues and alert the driver or even call emergency services in an accident.

7. Smart Cities & Infrastructure

• Traffic Management – Sensors in roads and traffic lights help reduce congestion.
• Smart Streetlights – Adjust brightness based on movement to save energy.

8. Agriculture & Farming

• Soil Sensors – Monitor moisture levels and optimize irrigation.
• Smart Livestock Tags – Track animal health and location, reducing losses.

To keep using our services, you’ll need devices that are fully compatible with our network. You will have received emails and TXT messages from us letting you know if you don’t upgrade to 4G/5G-compatible devices before the 2G & 3G network has switched off, your devices will stop working effectively and lose cellular connectivity.

If you no longer require One NZ services for your impacted devices

• You can request a cancellation of services directly with your One NZ Account Manager (managed and enterprise customers).
• Cancel your services by contacting us or visiting your nearest One NZ retail store.
• If you have upgraded/replaced with 4G/5G-compatable devices, your services will continue as usual.

If you need help with upgrading/replacing your devices

• Talk to your One NZ Account Manager directly (managed and enterprise customers).
• Visit your nearest One NZ retail store.