Christchurch woman faces $1000 gate upgrade due to 3G shutdown

5G networks will replace the old 3G network, affecting an array of household products. Photo / Bevan Conley

Christchurch woman Elly was shocked to be told that if she wants her automatic gate to keep working as it is now, she’ll have to spend almost $1000 to get it upgraded.

The gate runs on the 3G mobile network that is being turned off at the end of the year.

She said she wouldn’t be too annoyed, except she bought the gate in January last year, well after the shutdown of the network was signalled.

“We saved for ages for the gate, you’d expect something like that to last.”

When she posted on social media about the issue, she was contacted by other people facing similar problems.

Loss of functionality

Aero New Zealand, which provides gate access automation, said Centurion G-Ultra and G-Speak Ultra devices would not have any GSM functionality after the end of this year.

General manager Anton Neveling said initially, hundreds needed updating but only a handful now remained.

He said the upgrade procedure would vary according to the installer.

“Since early 2024, we’ve actively promoted

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">4G upgrade campaigns to our installer network and have only sold 4G-capable devices for the last two years. The majority of our install base have upgraded since the notices started going out. The telcos’ 2G/3G shutdown was initially planned for end of 2024 so who knows even if they will keep to the end-of-year new deadline.

“However, most of our clients already upgraded in the past 12 months, and the remaining ones will upgrade if they want to in the next six months as some just simply use their remote to open the gates.

“The 3G shutdown does not affect the gate, remote control or keypad operation, only app-based functions such as push notifications, SMS alerts or opening via a mobile app.”

His business had stopped selling the 3G gates in 2023 with the expectation that the shutdown would happen. But it was possible that Elly’s had remained in a warehouse until it was installed.

Other products affected

“Something I believe is a more pressing concern across other industries - luckily not us - is the impact on the security alarm sector, where many systems still rely heavily on 2G and 3G networks for connectivity. Numerous alarm providers are facing significant upgrade programmes, as these systems often stop working entirely when the network is retired.”

Nick Gelling, product test writer at Consumer NZ, said the shutdown of the 3G network was announced in 2022 and businesses selling products relying on it should have known it was coming.

“If you purchased something in the last few years that will stop working after 3G is shut down, you can ask the retailer to put it right under the Consumer Guarantees Act as the goods are not fit for purpose or of acceptable quality. The retailer has to provide a repair, replacement or refund. The only exception to this would be if the retailer clearly warned you the product would stop working when 3G is shut down at the end of this year.

“If you don’t have any luck with the retailer, you can lodge a claim at the Disputes Tribunal.”

Paul Brislen, chief executive of the Telecommunications Forum, said a huge array of devices communicated with the outside world and people needed to determine whether they used 3G and needed upgrading or not.

“Devices I’ve come across so far include some agri-tech equipment, lifts, solar arrays, health monitor alarms, fleet tracking systems and quite a lot else besides. This is the first I’ve heard of gates, though.

“The telco sector started talking to equipment makers about this sort of dependency several years ago and has been working with a number of technology providers to make sure they’re supporting customers. For some it’s as simple as swapping out the communications module or upgrading the device, but for others the modules are embedded in the product and customers will need a new model to continue operating.”

He said his organisation had written to retailers reminding them to double-check to make sure products they were selling would continue to function after the shut-off.

The Commerce Commission said it had received nine inquiries relating to products’ workability after the 3G shutdown.

“Under the Fair Trading Act, traders should not mislead consumers about the products and services that they sell. Traders should inform consumers of any upcoming changes when selling devices that may no longer work once the changes to 3G are implemented.

“If consumers are not informed of these changes at time of purchase, this could raise concerns under the Fair Trading Act. Consumers also have rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act [CGA].”

- RNZ