The 3G farewell is coming.
As the 4G and 5G rollout across Aotearoa increases momentum, it’s now time to look ahead and prepare to farewell the 3G network.
By the end of March 2025, when you'll be able to access 4G everywhere you currently have a 3G signal (or 5G, where it's available), we will switch off the 3G network.
Everything you do now on 3G will be significantly better on 4G, and even more so on 5G!
There's still plenty of time to make the move, though, and we'll be with you every step of the way.
What can I do now?
1. Check that you can make 4G or 5G calls
Firstly, the most important thing is to check whether your phone can make mobile voice calls using 4G or 5G, also called “VoLTE”. Most smartphones have this capability except for older ones and there are some others that will work in NZ but not when you visit countries that have also shutdown their 3G networks.
Check your phone’s VoLTE capability on our devices list.
VoLTE/VoLTE roaming capable devices
2. Check your phone’s software and VoLTE setting
- If your phone has VoLTE support then great, but we’d still recommend that you make sure you have enabled your phone’s latest software update.
- Then check that 4G/5G data is enabled in your phone settings as well as 4G voice calling/VoLTE.
- VoLTE roaming capabilities will be important depending on your travel destination. Most of our overseas roaming partners are shutting down their 3G networks. Learn more about overseas 3G roaming networks.
3. If your phone is not listed on our VoLTE capable devices list
It is likely due to one of the following reasons:
- It is likely that you have a 2G or 3G phone that won’t be able to make any mobile voice calls, send text messages or use mobile data after our 3G shutdown so you’ll need to upgrade it to a 4G or 5G phone.
- You have an older 4G phone that can use 4G for data but it can only make voice calls on 3G, so you’ll need to upgrade this phone to keep making mobile voice calls including emergency calls.
- You have a 4G/5G phone that hasn’t been tested and approved by One NZ. It may still work and again we’d recommend loading the latest phone updates and checking that 4G/5G data is enabled in your phone settings along with 4G voice calling/VoLTE. However, we cannot guarantee that your phone will work perfectly on our 4G/5G network for all services and if you have any concerns then we’d recommend you upgrade your phone to one of our approved models.
4. Options for upgrading your phone
- If you have a One NZ pay monthly mobile plan, consider buying a new phone interest-free. Check out your phone options.
- If you have a One NZ prepay plan, check out the range of capable phones to find one that's right for you.
Are you a Business customer? Find out how switching off 3G will affect you.
Frequently asked questions
Network and coverage
Why are you switching off the 3G network?
The 3G network uses older technology, which has been surpassed by the arrival of 4G and 5G that use newer, more power-efficient technologies with far more capability. With a limited number of radio frequencies available to us, like many other mobile network providers worldwide, 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.
To see if 4G or 5G are already available in your area, simply use our network coverage map.
When will the 3G network be switched off?
The 3G network will be switched off next year, on March 31, 2025.
What happens if I don't upgrade my mobile before March 2025?
If you don't upgrade your phone to one fully capable with 4G before the 3G network switches off, your phone will fall back to our older 2G network - but only until the end of 2025, when 2G will also be switched off.
The 2G network provides an inferior experience, with very slow data speeds, low call quality and less network coverage around Aotearoa. Then, when the 2G network shuts down at the end of 2025, your phone will stop working altogether on our network.
The 2G network provides an inferior experience, with very slow data speeds, low call quality and less network coverage around Aotearoa. Then, when the 2G network shuts down at the end of 2025, your phone will stop working altogether on our network.
What services will be affected when 3G switches off?
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:
Some wireless modems for wireless and rural broadband will be impacted and we will contact you directly to outline your options here.
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).
Some wireless modems for wireless and rural broadband will be impacted and we will contact you directly to outline your options here.
What should I do if I can't connect to the 4G network in my area?
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).
What if my area only offers 3G right now?
99% of where Kiwis work and live can already connect to One NZ’s 4G and 5G networks. By 31 March 2025, we will have rolled out 4G to everywhere we currently have 3G.
Will my phone work for the upcoming Starlink Satellite to Mobile service?
One NZ has collaborated with SpaceX to bring their Starlink Satellite to Mobile service to our customers, starting with a text service late this year.
We are still testing which mobile phones will work best for this service and will provide more details closer to launch, however it is likely that older 4G phones that don’t support 4G/5G voice calling VoLTE and VoLTE roaming will also not work with the Satellite to Mobile service – another reason we recommend upgrading to a newer phone.
We are still testing which mobile phones will work best for this service and will provide more details closer to launch, however it is likely that older 4G phones that don’t support 4G/5G voice calling VoLTE and VoLTE roaming will also not work with the Satellite to Mobile service – another reason we recommend upgrading to a newer phone.
Mobiles and devices
Will my phone still work?
This will depend on the type of phone that you have.
Most 4G/5G phones will work fine but there are a couple of things to bear in mind:
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).
How do I check if my device is 4G or 5G VoLTE capable?
A list of 4G and 5G-capable devices 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 device is, you’ll find this information in your phone’s settings.
If you’re unsure what model your device is, you’ll find this information in your phone’s settings.
Will I need a new SIM card?
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.
My phone isn’t connecting to 4G. What should I do?
Follow these steps to see if your phone is 4G ready:
Having issues connecting to 4G?
Contact us
- Check if your phone is 4G-capable. A list of 4G and 5G-capable devices is available here.
- 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 here.
- 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
I need to upgrade my mobile phone but don’t want an expensive device. What can I do?
You can check out our great range of 4G and 5G-capable phones. To find the best option for you, talk to one of our mobile experts or visit us in-store.
What is VoLTE?
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 here.
Will my Wireless Modem or Homephone Wireless device be affected?
There are a few older devices that will be affected when we shut down the 3G network:
Don’t worry if you have one of these devices, we will be contacting you soon to let you know exactly what will happen.
- 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.
Roaming
Can I still use my current phone overseas?
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.