Network Supporting Network

When DECA began this work in early 2025, we started with a question: how much does the wider community sector actually know about the 3G Shutdown? The answer, as it turned out, was not nearly enough.

We gathered those findings into the 3G Community Impact Report. A document built from real conversations, surveys and connection and took our findings directly to the telcos.

What followed was something we hadn't quite anticipated. With support from Spark, we launched a network-based communications campaign built on one principle: by community, with community. By hook or by crook, this partnership was going to be a conversation, a genuine conduit between people and the infrastructure that serves them. The ground rules were clear from day one: every piece of communication was telco-agnostic* and grounded in community feedback and co-design.

We looked closely at how Australia handled its own 3G shutdown and the gaps that emerged. Communities were caught off-guard. Older devices that people didn't know were 3G-only suddenly stopped working. Emergency calls failed. Rural and low-income households were hit hardest, often without any warning that felt relevant to them. We weren't the only players in this, and it was never solely on us but we felt like we should try to limit that from happening here in Aotearoa.

That meant meeting communities where they were, and actually listening, really listening, before designing anything. We made sure communities felt free to deliver this message in whatever way served their people best. And that looked so many different ways in the end. It was pretty cool to see unfold. Where Spark told us the messaging wasn't cutting through, we expanded our network and went deeper into those regions.

Over the past year, we've engaged with individuals, whānau, community providers, academics, activists and advocates from across Aotearoa. What we've learned has been extraordinary, about trust, about infrastructure, about what "digital equity" actually means in 2026. We hold that knowledge with care. Those insights belong to the communities that shared them, and in time, we hope to share their stories in collaboration with those most affected. We are privileged to hold that space.‍

Right now, every 111 call made from a mobile phone in Aotearoa is being carried by Spark's 3G network - That changes on the 31st of March 2026 when Spark shuts it’s 3G service - If your community doesn't know, they need to.

Right now, every 111 call made from a mobile phone in Aotearoa is being carried by Spark's 3G network - That changes on the 31st of March 2026 when Spark shuts it’s 3G service - If your community doesn't know, they need to.

We are in the last weeks of a year-long effort. There is still work to do. Not everyone who needs to know, knows. The communities most at risk are those in rural regions already struggling dodgy mobile coverage, folk who have english as a second language, elders who rely on older devices and those living in hardship across Aotearoa.

And the risk isn't limited to older handsets. Some newer smartphones, ones people assume are 4G or 5G, may still rely on 3G for emergency calls.

That's where your network comes in.

Community organisations know their people. We don't. A poster on a noticeboard, a post on a Facebook page, a kōrero at a community hui, these things reach people that a press release never will. Network supporting network.

If you work with a community organisation, please download our resource pack and share the 3G shutdown message in whatever way works best for your people — a post on your socials, a poster on the wall, a kōrero at your next hui. Get in touch with us at support@digitalequity.nz or tag us on socials so we can acknowledge your effort and connect on future comms sharing.

* apart from one video from Spark on our info hub which we felt explained what 3G was in a helpful way and did not constitute advertising

The upcoming sentiment is not an ad. We do not play favourites. But shout out to Georgia, Tammy and Marty from Spark, everything we delivered back to them from community was listened to. They couldn't solve every issue, but those three champs genuinely did their best.