Which basic phones can make calls on which network
A simple phone needs either the network's 2G service or 4G calling (VoLTE) to make calls. 3G is gone or going, 2G is being switched off, and some networks never had it. We checked 5 phones sold in New Zealand against 14 networks.
The short version
- 0 of 5 phones are confirmed to make calls over 4G on all 3 big networks, so they'll keep working when 2G is switched off.
- 2degrees: 1 of 5 make calls, 1 of them over 4G. 2degrees closed 2G in March 2018 and 3G on 2 February 2026.
- One NZ: 1 of 5 make calls, 1 of them over 4G. One NZ finished switching off 2G and 3G on 23 March 2026.
- Spark: 1 of 5 make calls, 1 of them over 4G. Spark never ran a 2G GSM network; its older CDMA network closed in July 2012.
Last checked 16 October 2026. Smaller networks use their host's masts but keep their own 4G calling lists, so they can differ from the host. How we check · Download the data (CSV)
- 4G calls
- Makes calls over 4G. Unaffected when 2G is switched off.
- 2G only
- Makes calls today using 2G. Stops when the network switches 2G off, unless it gets 4G calling.
- Not confirmed
- We can't confirm it makes calls on this network, so we don't recommend it there.
- No calls
- Based on its specs, it can't make calls on this network.
Phones we don't yet know enough about aren't in the table. You're welcome to use this data with a link back to this page.