Four Days To Go Until Spark’s 3G Shutdown – All 3G Phones Won’t Be Able To Call 111 From 31 March

Thursday, 26 March 2026, 10:58 am
Press Release: Spark

With just four full days to go before its 3G network shutdown, Spark is urging customers to check their devices now – warning that 3G-reliant phones will no longer be able to make calls, including to emergency services, from 31 March.

Greg Clark, Chief Customer Officer at Spark says, “We have now sent nearly 4 million notifications to our customers who are still using 3G devices, alerting them of the impending shutdown and what they need to do to stay connected.

“Most of our customers are already set up and won’t notice any change at all. With four full days left, we urge anyone still using 3G devices to take action before the network shuts down.”

Since announcing the shutdown last year, Spark has seen a significant shift away from 3G, with usage dropping as customers move to 4G and 5G-capable devices. Today, 3G accounts for just 0.24% of Spark’s total network data traffic, and fewer than 1.6% of devices on the network still rely on 3G or don’t support 4G calling (VoLTE).

More than 150,000[1] Spark customers have already used the free SMS or online device checker, with many upgrading from older models such as the Samsung Galaxy J2 Pro and Spark Pocket 2.

Spark has taken an extensive, multi-channel approach to contacting customers who may be impacted, from emails, texts, letters, pre-call announcements, and bill inserts. A dedicated 3G support team has also handled more than 17,000[2] calls, helping customers understand what they need to do to stay connected. Spark has also partnered with Digital Equity Coalition Aotearoa to support at-risk and digitally excluded communities with targeted outreach.

Clark continues, “If you have received a text message, letter, or email from Spark saying you are impacted by the 3G shutdown, we urge you to get in touch and make alternative arrangements before 31 March, particularly if you rely on this device to make calls to emergency services.

“Once Spark’s 3G network shuts down there will be no 3G networks left operating in New Zealand – which also means any customers of other mobile network operators with 3G devices will no longer be able to call 111 by falling back on Spark’s network.

“We have a dedicated 3G support team ready and waiting to help customers switch to a 4G or 5G compatible device. It is best to speak to Spark or look on our website to know what device to switch to – as information online is often generic and not specific to how that device works on New Zealand mobile networks,” concludes Clark.

To keep customers safe, Spark announced it will be proactively blocking around 300 individual mobile phones that can make standard calls, send texts, and access data over 4G, but will be unable to make emergency 111 calls once its 3G network shuts down on 31 March due to manufacturer-imposed limitations.

Customers can check whether their device is affected by free texting ‘3G’ to 550, visiting spark.co.nz/3G-shutdown, or by contacting Spark’s dedicated 3G team directly on 0800 343 948.

Notes:

New Zealand’s mobile network operators have an agreement where 111 calls will be carried by any available mobile network, regardless of who the customer’s provider is.

While Spark’s 3G network is still running nationwide, some customers on other networks may find their 111 calls still work on a 3G-reliant phone by connecting through Spark. Once Spark switches off its 3G network on 31 March, 3G-reliant phones will no longer be able to connect to 111.

[1] Between 9 June 2025 and 19 March 2026

[2] Between 9 June 2025 and 19 March 2026

© Scoop Media