Some 4G/5G phones sold as new won't work after 3G goes away, and retailers have to tell buyers if so, telco industry organisation says

Third generation (3G) mobile network service will be shut down by all New Zealand telcos by year's end, having been active since 2001. It could cause problems for some users, even if they have new devices.

The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum (TCF) chief executive Paul Brislen said devices sold new today might not be able to connect to mobile networks after 3G closes down. If that's the case, retailers must make that clear to customers, so people are fully aware their new phones won't be able to make cellular voice or emergency calls after the year-end.

Likewise, phone buyers should ask retailers if the devices they're buying rely on 3G to work, even if the phones support the newer 4G and current 5G standards.

In March last year, Australia ran into issues with its 3G network shutdown, as the industry and authorities discovered that a substantial number of newer phones would still drop down to the older wireless service standard for voice and emergency calls.

To make voice calls after 3G is shut down, phones need to fully support the Voice over Long Term Evolution (VoLTE) standard introduced with 4G, as there's no fallback to the older mobile standard. 

“Devices have to be fit for purpose for a reasonable period of time and customers need to be fully informed if the product they’re buying won’t work next year," Brislen said.

This is a known issue and retailers have had long leadtimes and shouldn't sell products that have a limited lifespan and won't work after the end of the year.

“Retailers and importers have known for some time that the shutdown was coming and should be well prepared to manage stock levels accordingly," Brislen added.

What's more, the TCF is concerned that offshore retailers may try to unload old stock in New Zealand that no longer works in other countries. Brislen said there is no minimum standard for bringing phones into the country.

Consumers should be wary, but it's the retailers' responsibility to ensure they're selling phones that comply with relevant legislation, and which are fit for purpose.

Telcos to provide 3G testing through texting service

Brislen explained that the three mobile network operators in New Zealand - One NZ, 2degrees and Spark - have already started texting customers who use 3G-only devices to alert them.

A text messaging service will also be set up, so that customers can check their phones. Brislen said a marketing campaign will launch when the 3G-checking service, sent from short codes that clearly identify it as coming from one of the three telcos, is set up and ready to go.

Testing of phones by the telcos is also underway.

TCF added that it's not just phones that are affected by the 3G network shutdown. Buyers of other devices such as surveillance cameras, health and other alarms and monitors, logistics trackers, and Internet of Things (IoT) equipment need to check that those don't rely on 3G to work.

Phones that will no longer work after the 3G network closure can be recycled at TCF's RE:MOBILE service, for free. Do not thrown phones into the rubbish, as this could cause lithium battery fires.