Spark will block around 300 mobile phones capable of 4G calls, texts, and data after its 3G network closure on March 31—these devices won’t be able to dial emergency 111 calls.
“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,” Spark chief customer officer Greg Clark said.
All affected phones are ASUS models and on Spark or Skinny accounts, but none were sold by Spark. Some offer a software update that owners can install to resolve the issue, while others lack any available fix.
Devices without an available software update, and thus 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 an available software update (blocked after March 31 if not installed):
- 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 has already contacted all affected customers in advance. The company also recently noted that fewer than 2% of devices on its network still depend on 3G—including non-phone gadgets and IoT hardware with SIM cards.
2degrees has completely decommissioned its 3G network, retiring the outdated service and migrating mobile customers to faster 4G and 5G connections. One NZ is in the process of the 3G network shutdown.