EROAD is urging small fleet, truck and transport operators to check and replace any 3G telematics hardware ahead of One NZ’s 3G network shutdown on 31 December 2025, warning that non-upgraded units will stop transmitting data and leave operators non-compliant.
While larger fleets have largely moved to 4G-capable devices, EROAD says many smaller operators still rely on 3G units.
EROAD says it offers a number of options in how customers can upgrade the hardware, including signing a contract that spreads the cost amortised over the rental agreement.
“This is not just a technology issue, it’s a business continuity and compliance risk that impacts a wide range of sectors, including telematics,” EROAD co-chief executive Mark Heine says.
“We’ve been reaching out directly to customers, but uptake at the smaller business end of the market has been slower than expected. We’re now turning to the wider industry and media to help us get the message out,” Heine says.
Once the 3G network is decommissioned, affected devices won’t track vehicles, send MyEROAD readings for road user charges (RUC), or provide safety, messaging and reporting functions, exposing firms to fines and operational disruption.
The company lists risks including: loss of telematics services, inability to meet RUC requirements, compromised safety, reputational damage from delays, potential installer bottlenecks, and extra admin from manual RUC recording.
“We’re urging all small businesses and transport owner-operators using EROAD to check their systems and contact us immediately if they’re still on 3G to get an upgrade to 4G sorted,” Heine says.
“We want to ensure no one is left behind when the soon-to-be-shutdown 3G network goes dark.”
“We appreciate there may be good reasons why customers have yet to make the change, but without an upgrade, the vehicle’s 3G telematics device will no longer be able to send or receive data.
“The vehicle will not be able to send its MyEROAD reading, which means the vehicle will be non-compliant and result in fines if pulled over. Other tracking, messaging, and reporting features will also be lost,” Heine says.
“The important message to those customers yet to upgrade is; please don’t wait until the network goes dark. It’s just not worth the risk. Make sure your business is ready. Don’t get left behind. EROAD is here to help you as much as we can so please get in touch with us,” Heine says.
EROAD says customers unsure of their device capability can visit eroad.co.nz/4G or call 0800 437 623. One NZ’s shutdown details are at one.nz/3g-shutdown, with wider guidance from the Telecommunications Forum at tcf.org.nz.
