Spark to Close Its 3G Network in New Zealand in Late 2025

New Zealand telco Spark today announced that it would shut down its legacy 3G Network towards the end of 2025. Spark would reuse the radio spectrum for the 5G rollout in rural Aotearoa (New Zealand). The telco operates its 3G Network on 850 MHz, low band spectrum. Low band spectrum provides greater coverage, and Spark will use the spectrum for 5G as it has a better range and penetration.

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Also Read: Spark and Ciena to Continue Offering Free Broadband to School Students in 2023

Spark’s mobile network serves mobile customers from Spark and Skinny and its wholesale customers, Megatel, Trustpower and Digital Island. Spark closure of 3G Network means these customers would also need to be 4G ready.

Spark 3G Network

Spark first introduced 3G in New Zealand (Aotearoa) in 2009 and continued to evolve the Networks with the introduction of 4G, 5G and Internet of Things (IoT). Spark also shared usage numbers related to its 3G Network that made it to sunset the 3G Network. Spark said only 4% of its total network data traffic is running over 3G, and 3G voice calls have declined by 70% since 2019. So, this makes no case for Spark to continue with the 3G Network, as most customers will not notice any change upon closure.

Also Read: Spark Trials 5G Standalone With Ericsson and Red Hat

Spark shared nostalgic memories of its 3G Network by saying, “Our 3G Network enabled New Zealanders to use the internet for the first time on their mobile phones. And while it’s served us very well, 14 years on, newer mobile generations are far better suited to meet today’s needs.”