Spark to block 300 phones that can’t make emergency calls after 3G shutdown

Spark says it will block around 300 mobile phones that won't be able to take emergency calls after the 3G shutdown. Photo / Getty Creative

Spark says it will block about 300 mobile phones that can make standard calls, send texts, and access data over 4G, but will be unable to make emergency 111 calls once its 3G network shuts down on March 31.

“These mobile phones are unique in how they are impacted by the 3G shutdown. They can send texts, make regular calls, and access data, but they have not been correctly configured by the device manufacturers to connect to emergency calling over 4G,” says Spark chief customer officer Greg Clark.

The affected customers have all been contacted in advance.

All of the affected phones are made by ASUS and on Spark or Skinny accounts. They were not sold by Spark. Some have a software update available that could fix the problem if an owner updates their phones. Others have no update that could solve the issue.

The phones with no software update available that will be blocked from March 31 are:

• ASUS ROG Phone 5S
• ASUS ROG Phone 6
• ASUS ROG Phone 6 Pro
• ASUS ROG Phone 6 Ultimate
• ASUS ZenFone 7 ZS670KS
• ASUS ZenFone 8
• ASUS ZenFone 9
• ASUS ROG Phone
• ASUS ZS672KS

Devices with a software update available (will be blocked if this is not actioned before March 31):

• ASUS ROG Phone 7
• ASUS ROG Phone 8
• ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
• ASUS ROG Phone 9
• ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro
• ASUS ZenFone 10

Spark recently said that “less than 2%” of devices on its network now rely on 3G, including non-phone gadgets and “internet-of-things (IoT) hardware that includes sim cards.

The episode has shades of the Xiaomi controversy last year, when it was revealed that recently-purchased “4G” models from the Chinese firm (parallel-imported by Mighty Ape, PB Tech and others) did not support the VoLTE technology that Spark, One NZ and 2degrees use for post-3G calling.

Xiaomi eventually offered a fix, if only after the Commerce Commission had received 10 complaints and the regulator made rumbles about possible Consumer Guarantees Act breaches.

2degrees done, One NZ in train

2degrees has already closed its 3G network.

One NZ is in the midst of a rolling shutdown with three main centres to go: Christchurch on March 3, Auckland on March 10 and Wellington on March 17.

A One NZ spokesman said; “We’ve been in regular contact with our customers over the past 18 months to help them prepare for our 3G switch off, including those using parallel imported phones that can send texts, make regular calls, and use data over 4G but will be unable to call emergency services when the 3G network is switched off.

“We strongly recommend that any customers still using one of these phones makes the switch to a fully compatible 4G phone.

“Any customers that are unsure can free text ‘3G’ to 550 to check.

“Customers who choose to use these phones will continue to receive pre-call announcement warnings and regular text messages to make them aware of this issue. We’ll consider further steps to ensure public safety, including blocking devices, if we judge this necessary.”

Customers on all networks are also being asked to check with retailers or makers of the likes of security alarms, health alarms and navigation systems to check if they use cellular connectivity and if so whether it will still work after the 3G shutdown.

Resources

• Spark 3G shutdown page
• One NZ 3G shutdown page
• 2degrees 3G shutdown page
• Telecommunications Carriers Forum 3G shutdown page

Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.