2degrees delays 3G shutdown due to state of emergency
2degrees has delayed the shutdown of its 3G shutdown for a week while the country grapples with several states of emergency due to weather.
CEO Mark Callander says the telco made the decision in an abundance of caution while communities in Northland, Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty, and Tairāwhiti continue to recover from the impacts of recent weather events.
“Currently there are official states of emergency across the North Island and the risks of further slips and road closures. While we think that the impact of the 3G shutdown is unlikely to cause any issues, we are taking a safety-first customer focused approach.”
Callander says the company will proceed with the shutdown in a week.
The shutdown removes the 3G service from operation and will see 2degrees mobile users connected to the more modern 4G and 5G networks.
The telco decommissioned 3G services on around 100 rural sites in December, before shutting down 3G services in Palmerston North and Rotorua in January.
Callander says customers who need help setting up a new device or changing settings can visit a 2degrees store or partner retailer to get a hand in person.
Callander urges people to check in with friends, whānau, neighbours and colleagues, or anyone who may be using a 3G-reliant phone or device like a tablet, medical alarm or security alarm, to make sure they’re ready for the transition.