2degrees, New Zealand: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
2degrees switched off 2G in March 2018 and switched off 3G on 2 February 2026, according to the sources we checked on 26 October 2026. The table gives each source and how far we trust it; the rest of the page says what this means for IoT devices in New Zealand.
2G and 3G status at 2degrees
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Switched off | March 2018 | medium | 2degrees.nz, stuff.co.nz Announced Sept 2017 for March 2018; FutureFive (8 Feb 2018) gave 15 Mar 2018 as the cut-off; Stuff headline confirms the shutdown. |
| 3G | Switched off | 2 February 2026 | high | 2degrees.nz, tcf.org.nz Staged shutdown from Dec 2025; final stage (rest of network) on 2 Feb 2026; 3G no longer available as of Feb 2026. |
Confidence is high when the operator or the regulator states the date, medium when several independent sources agree, low otherwise. We recheck every month.
What it means for IoT devices on 2degrees
- 2G devices no longer connect to 2degrees. Trackers, alarms and meters that only speak GSM/GPRS need a 4G-based replacement, or a SIM that roams onto another network in New Zealand still running 2G.
- 3G fallback no longer works on 2degrees. Devices built for 3G (UMTS) or that fall back to it lose service; 4G devices with 2G fallback are not affected by this closure.
- For new devices, choose 4G-based technologies: LTE Cat-1 bis, LTE-M or NB-IoT where the network offers them.
- Foreign SIMs in New Zealand: permanent roaming of foreign IoT SIMs is allowed with conditions. Details on the New Zealand page.
An M2M.global IoT SIM is not tied to a single network in a country, and its data can reach your cloud without the internet through private delivery.
Other operators in New Zealand
| Operator | 2G | 3G |
|---|---|---|
| One NZ | Switched off, 23 March 2026 | Switched off, 23 March 2026 |
| Spark | Planned, 31 July 2012 | Switched off, 31 March 2026 |
All operators and both rules for New Zealand: IoT connectivity in New Zealand. Every country: 2G and 3G shutdown dates by country and operator.
Frequently asked questions
When did 2degrees switch off 2G in New Zealand?
2degrees switched off its 2G network in March 2018. Announced Sept 2017 for March 2018; FutureFive (8 Feb 2018) gave 15 Mar 2018 as the cut-off; Stuff headline confirms the shutdown.
When did 2degrees switch off 3G in New Zealand?
2degrees switched off its 3G network on 2 February 2026. Staged shutdown from Dec 2025; final stage (rest of network) on 2 Feb 2026; 3G no longer available as of Feb 2026.