3G shutdown: check your phones

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › 3G shutdown: check your phones

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | ... | 31

Awrrr
19086 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16356

Lifetime subscriber

#3443068 12-Dec-2025 10:32

I have been getting panicky messages from Skinny about my dumb phone but apparently the only issue with it is it won't work for roaming overseas but is fine in NZ, which is all I would ever use it for.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Linux

12209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8493

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3443072 12-Dec-2025 10:44

Rikkitic:

I have been getting panicky messages from Skinny about my dumb phone but apparently the only issue with it is it won't work for roaming overseas but is fine in NZ, which is all I would ever use it for.

Apparently?

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19086 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16356

Lifetime subscriber

#3443084 12-Dec-2025 11:07

Linux:

Rikkitic:

I have been getting panicky messages from Skinny about my dumb phone but apparently the only issue with it is it won't work for roaming overseas but is fine in NZ, which is all I would ever use it for.

Apparently?

According to 550 and another source.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80682 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41137

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3443086 12-Dec-2025 11:20

Rikkitic:

I have been getting panicky messages from Skinny about my dumb phone but apparently the only issue with it is it won't work for roaming overseas but is fine in NZ, which is all I would ever use it for.

If the phone works in New Zealand it should work for roaming. The 3G shutdown is on the telco side, so a phone supporting 2G/3G/4G/5G with VoLTE would have no problem working elsewhere (except some countries, like China).

What phone model are you using?

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Aucklandjafa

527 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 253

#3443088 12-Dec-2025 11:29

Spark have quite a few devices listed that state won't work roaming

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/mobile/device-help/device_compatibility_list/?srsltid=AfmBOopDXJfWzHx39H7KbmS_v0YjZQ4KV7fAOipOQRaRS1m8-Iaby4ue

ezbee

2662 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3110

#3443089 12-Dec-2025 11:32

While there is all the phone upgrading, looking at that 6 year old SIM card before popping it in.

Any benefit to getting a new SIM card worth going in to get number moved onto a new card?

How would you know the limitations of your card and if they matter a hill of beans?

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

Linux

12209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8493

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3443090 12-Dec-2025 11:32

freitasm:

Rikkitic:

I have been getting panicky messages from Skinny about my dumb phone but apparently the only issue with it is it won't work for roaming overseas but is fine in NZ, which is all I would ever use it for.

If the phone works in New Zealand it should work for roaming. The 3G shutdown is on the telco side, so a phone supporting 2G/3G/4G/5G with VoLTE would have no problem working elsewhere (except some countries, like China).

What phone model are you using?

Issues can happen with VoLTE roaming on older handsets - This is why VoLTE is a cluster fish!

Linux

12209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8493

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3443091 12-Dec-2025 11:34

ezbee:

While there is all the phone upgrading, looking at that 6 year old SIM card before popping it in.

Any benefit to getting a new SIM card worth going in to get number moved onto a new card?

How would you know the limitations of your card and if they matter a hill of beans?

@ezbee SIM card has zero to do with VoLTE or 3G / 4G / 5G you could have a Bell South SIM card from 1993. VoLTE is handset and notwork related

SIM is only used to ID a subscriber onto the mobile network

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80682 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41137

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3443092 12-Dec-2025 11:34

Linux:

Issues can happen with VoLTE roaming on older handsets - This is why VoLTE is a cluster fish!

That's because VoLTE was badly implemented. Modern devices should work. If a device has a problem with VoLTE roaming I suspect they might end up with some problem on local VoLTE at some point.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Rikkitic

Awrrr
19086 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 16356

Lifetime subscriber

#3443095 12-Dec-2025 12:33

The phone is a cat b40. I only got it relatively recently because I am elderly and live alone on a rural farm and I decided I should have it for security. Being old and set in my ways, in my mind a phone will always be an appliance that sits on a table in the hallway. I never use it except for some appointments where I can't use email. It is not an essential item for me, just a backup for emergencies.

I have tested it a few times and it always says it will work fine in New Zealand but not for overseas roaming. Since I don't plan to leave New Zealand again, that is fine with me. Whenever I do use it, the display always says volte and 4g. I am fairly confident it will just keep working for my purposes but if it doesn't, I will get something else. Being suddenly cut off won't immediately affect me in any noticeable way so if I have to go into town and buy another one, I will.

Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

Linux

12209 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8493

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3443096 12-Dec-2025 12:39

@Rikkitic Correct the Cat B40 will be fine on VoLTE in NZ our work has quite a few for oncall phones

Dyson

Shop now for Dyson appliances (affiliate link).

PolicyGuy

1823 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1774

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3443099 12-Dec-2025 13:08

Spark has some 'special offers' for replacement phones:

From https://www.spark.co.nz/online/shop/mobile-devices/3g-shutdown

MaxineN

Max
2062 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1676

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#3443101 12-Dec-2025 13:12

PolicyGuy:

Spark has some 'special offers' for replacement phones:

From https://www.spark.co.nz/online/shop/mobile-devices/3g-shutdown

That's a good initiative.

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

coffeebaron

6306 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3569

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3443140 12-Dec-2025 17:44

That's disappointing, I was hoping for a 3G kill switch hitting the network at midnight on the 31st. I was even think of locking a couple of mobile phones to 3G and make a call to be cut off at the stroke of midnight. :( :( :(

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

quickymart

14964 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 14003

ID Verified

#3443151 12-Dec-2025 18:23

Checked my Nokia C01 on Spark today and saw the VoLTE icon appear at the top so I'm all good 👍

1 | ... | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | ... | 31