Spark - 5G Coverage + data instability (Wellington & parts of Auckland)

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark - 5G Coverage + data instability (Wellington & parts of Auckland)

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#3476353 31-Mar-2026 22:16

Technofreak:

I'm currently in the Central Otago area using Spark. In several spots I've had an excellent 5G signal but have been unable to access any websites. When I switch the phone mobile network settings from "Prefer 5G" to "Prefer 4G" I can access these sites no problem at all. Most frustrating.

That's the tl;dr of this thread. Something is seriously wrong with the way the network is configured, IMO. Which phone are you using? Can you check for the band and Cell ID?

grantius

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#3476354 31-Mar-2026 22:16

Technofreak:

I'm currently in the Central Otago area using Spark. In several spots I've had an excellent 5G signal but have been unable to access any websites. When I switch the phone mobile network settings from "Prefer 5G" to "Prefer 4G" I can access these sites no problem at all. Most frustrating.

My bet is you're using their n5 which is pretty rubbish, and by moving to prefer 4g you started using b28 and more CA

Aucklandjafa

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#3476371 1-Apr-2026 06:16

Yeah, I only have my iPhone set to 4g - speeds are consistent - usually over 300 and rarely under 100. Until Spark refarms the remaining 3g spectrum to N5 - it’ll be continue to be pretty flaky.

Technofreak

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#3476388 1-Apr-2026 08:09

boosacnoodle:

Technofreak:

I'm currently in the Central Otago area using Spark. In several spots I've had an excellent 5G signal but have been unable to access any websites. When I switch the phone mobile network settings from "Prefer 5G" to "Prefer 4G" I can access these sites no problem at all. Most frustrating.

That's the tl;dr of this thread. Something is seriously wrong with the way the network is configured, IMO. Which phone are you using? Can you check for the band and Cell ID?

Samsung S25. I've tried using *#0011# but keep getting a "Connection problem or invalid MMI Code" error.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
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Dell Inspiron 14z i5

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#3476389 1-Apr-2026 08:14

Technofreak:

boosacnoodle:

Technofreak:

I'm currently in the Central Otago area using Spark. In several spots I've had an excellent 5G signal but have been unable to access any websites. When I switch the phone mobile network settings from "Prefer 5G" to "Prefer 4G" I can access these sites no problem at all. Most frustrating.

That's the tl;dr of this thread. Something is seriously wrong with the way the network is configured, IMO. Which phone are you using? Can you check for the band and Cell ID?

Samsung S25. I've tried using *#0011# but keep getting a "Connection problem or invalid MMI Code" error.

@Technofreak You need to change a setting - Turn off Auto Blocker in Settings > Security and Privacy > Auto Blocker

Technofreak

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#3476420 1-Apr-2026 09:37

@Linux Thank you. Now to decipher all the info.

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Technofreak

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#3476428 1-Apr-2026 09:52

4G preferred screenshot

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Technofreak

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#3476429 1-Apr-2026 09:54

5G preferred

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

boosacnoodle

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#3476460 1-Apr-2026 11:01

Yeah, as I suspected, it's b7 with n78 - same issue as I face.

openmedia

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#3479266 8-Apr-2026 16:06

post 3g issues moved to a new thread - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=324431

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#3479268 8-Apr-2026 16:10

openmedia:

I've been getting a lot of warnings about loosing mobile data on my Nokia G60 5G on Skinny since the 3G shutdown.

Today I lost VoLTE and Voice over WiFi until I rebooted the phone, but mobile data was working as normal. Tried flight mode on/off but that wasn't sufficient.

@openmedia not sure how that is related to this thread?

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#3479297 8-Apr-2026 17:32

Linux:

@openmedia not sure how that is related to this thread?

@Linux - ok I'll move to a new thread - https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=324431

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

chris021

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#3479990 11-Apr-2026 11:16

Since reading this thread I’ve noticed this a lot around Northland also where there new 5G sites. Kerikeri CBD and Kaitaia CBD both have issues now

gajan

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#3480013 11-Apr-2026 14:16

If anyone wants to DM some specific examples (time, phone#, location and problem experienced) ideally from the last few days as it’s easier to grab logs - will try and get someone to take a look.

My comments and remarks are not necessarily of my employer.

boosacnoodle

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#3480114 12-Apr-2026 07:31

gajan:

If anyone wants to DM some specific examples (time, phone#, location and problem experienced) ideally from the last few days as it’s easier to grab logs - will try and get someone to take a look.

Did you make a change? I no longer see 5G in the affected areas, so no longer face the drop out/handoff issues.

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