2G and 3G have been switched off in New Zealand
Basic phones and flip phones make calls over 2G, 3G or 4G calling (VoLTE). Here's when each network switches 2G and 3G off, and what that means for your phone.
As of 22 October 2026
Every big network in New Zealand has already switched off 2G and 3G, so a basic phone needs 4G calling to make calls.
Every network
Smaller networks use a big network's masts, so they have its 2G and 3G and its dates.
| Network | Uses | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2degrees | Own masts | OffSwitched off: March 2018 Source | OffSwitched off: 2 February 2026 Source |
| One NZ | Own masts | OffSwitched off: 23 March 2026Region by region from 20 January 2026. Source | OffSwitched off: 23 March 2026Region by region from 20 January 2026. Source |
| Spark | Own masts | Never had itIts older network was CDMA, closed in July 2012. Source | OffSwitched off: 31 March 2026 Source |
| Compass | Spark | Never had itSame as Spark | OffSame as Spark |
| Contact Mobile | One NZ | OffSame as One NZ | OffSame as One NZ |
| Electric Kiwi Mobile | 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees |
| Kogan Mobile | One NZ | OffSame as One NZ | OffSame as One NZ |
| Mercury Mobile | Spark | Never had itSame as Spark | OffSame as Spark |
| Mighty Mobile | One NZ | OffSame as One NZ | OffSame as One NZ |
| Nova Energy Mobile | 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees |
| Rocket Mobile | One NZ | OffSame as One NZ | OffSame as One NZ |
| Skinny | Spark | Never had itSame as Spark | OffSame as Spark |
| Slingshot | 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees |
| Warehouse Mobile | 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees | OffSame as 2degrees |
“Not confirmed” means the network hasn't announced a date we could find, or we couldn't confirm it. We don't estimate dates.
What it means for a basic phone
- While a network still runs 2G, almost any basic phone can make calls on it.
- After 2G and 3G are gone, a phone can only make calls with 4G calling (VoLTE). The phone has to support it, and the network has to turn it on for that phone. Many networks only do that for phones they've approved.
- A phone without 4G calling may still show signal and use 4G data, but it can't make or take calls.
- A phone we've confirmed makes 4G calls on your network isn't affected by either switch-off.
As of 20 Oct 2026, none of the 5 basic phones sold in New Zealand is confirmed to make 4G calls on all 3 big networks.
See which phones make 4G calls on each network
Each network's page lists the phones we've confirmed on it: 2degrees, One NZ, Spark. All networks
Last updated 22 October 2026. How we check