Spark, New Zealand: 2G and 3G shutdown dates
Updated
Spark plans to switch off 2G on 31 July 2012 and switched off 3G on 31 March 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 Spark
| Network | Status | Date | Confidence | Sources and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2G | Planned | 31 July 2012 | low | futurefive.co.nz, sunlive.co.nz Spark (formerly Telecom NZ) never ran GSM; its 2G-era network was CDMA. Closure announced in 2011 for 31 Jul 2012; a same-day report (SunLive, 31 Jul 2012) said it would close at midnight. No post-closure confirmation found, so kept as planned (date passed). |
| 3G | Switched off | 31 March 2026 | medium | tcf.org.nz, 1news.co.nz TCF (NZ telecom industry forum) says Spark completed its 3G shutdown on 31 Mar 2026, the last NZ operator to do so. |
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 Spark
- 2G devices keep working until the shutdown (31 July 2012). Replace 2G-only devices before that date; once the network closes, they lose service on Spark.
- 3G fallback no longer works on Spark. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2degrees | Switched off, March 2018 | Switched off, 2 February 2026 |
| One NZ | Switched off, 23 March 2026 | Switched off, 23 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 does Spark switch off 2G in New Zealand?
Spark plans to switch off 2G on 31 July 2012. Spark (formerly Telecom NZ) never ran GSM; its 2G-era network was CDMA. Closure announced in 2011 for 31 Jul 2012; a same-day report (SunLive, 31 Jul 2012) said it would close at midnight. No post-closure confirmation found, so kept as planned (date passed).
When did Spark switch off 3G in New Zealand?
Spark switched off its 3G network on 31 March 2026. TCF (NZ telecom industry forum) says Spark completed its 3G shutdown on 31 Mar 2026, the last NZ operator to do so.