New Zealand farmers are raising concerns about worsening rural mobile coverage following the shutdown of the 3G network in March, with many reporting difficulties making phone calls, operating farm equipment and contacting emergency services. A new Federated Farmers survey suggests connectivity problems are affecting both farm safety and day-to-day operations.
Rural Mobile Coverage Deteriorates After 3G Shutdown
The Federated Farmers Rural Connectivity survey, which gathered responses from nearly 650 farmers, found that half of the farms surveyed now have mobile coverage across less than 50% of their land.
Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Mark Hooper said the findings showed rural connectivity had deteriorated since the organisation’s previous survey.
“A third of farmers told us they have a place on their farm that previously worked on 3G but no longer does. For most, these holes in service aren’t just on one part of the farm.”
The survey, conducted in late August and early September, highlighted widespread concerns about unreliable mobile connections in farming communities.
Emergency Calls Become a Major Safety Concern
One of the most significant findings involved farmers’ ability to contact emergency services.
Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they could not reliably reach 111 from most areas of their farms, while 8% reported being unable to contact emergency services anywhere on their property.
More than 40 farmers said there was no location on their land where they could reliably make an emergency call.
Hooper warned that limited coverage posed particular dangers for people working alone or operating machinery in isolated areas.
One farmer reported failing a WorkSafe audit because unreliable mobile reception prevented them from checking on employees every two hours.
A Southland farmer described the deterioration in service:
“Our main yard by the road had perfect coverage, now you need to stand on one leg and hold your tongue a certain way to have any chance of making a call.”
Farmers Face Rising Costs to Maintain Connectivity
The loss of 3G services has also created additional expenses for agricultural businesses.
Hooper said some farmers had spent thousands of dollars replacing equipment that previously relied on the network, including irrigation controls, centre-pivot systems, electronic cow collars and other agricultural technology.
The survey found that approximately two-thirds of respondents had paid for alternative connectivity solutions, including satellite broadband.
However, only 15% considered satellite-to-mobile technology an adequate replacement for conventional mobile towers.
Complaints Remain Unresolved
Farmers also expressed dissatisfaction with how telecommunications providers had responded to coverage problems.
Of the 126 farms reporting connectivity and reliability issues, only two said their problems had been resolved.
“That’s very frustrating and indicates their concerns aren’t being taken seriously,” Hooper said.
He questioned earlier assurances from telecommunications companies that the transition away from 3G would not significantly affect rural customers.
According to Hooper, differences in how wireless frequencies travel across farmland may have contributed to reduced coverage, despite the expansion of 4G and 5G networks.
Federated Farmers Seeks Urgent Action From Telecommunications Providers
Federated Farmers is arranging urgent discussions with telecommunications companies to identify possible improvements using existing infrastructure and planned network investment.
Hooper acknowledged that building additional mobile towers might not always be the most practical long-term solution, particularly as satellite calling technology develops.
However, he said immediate action was needed to restore reliable communications for rural households and businesses.
“At the very least, surely we can get more farmers hooked back up to the service standards they had with 3G.”
He also noted that arrangements allowing emergency calls to connect through another available mobile network cannot help in locations without any network coverage.
Telecommunications Industry Disputes Link to 3G Shutdown
New Zealand Telecommunications Forum chief executive Paul Brislen told TVNZ’s Breakfast programme that providers had undertaken extensive preparations before the 3G shutdown.
He maintained that customers should generally be able to access 4G services in areas previously served by 3G.
“Customers should be able to find 4G wherever they used to find 3G,” Brislen said.
He questioned whether all the reported connectivity problems were directly attributable to the shutdown and called for further investigation.
Industry Points to Expanded 4G Infrastructure
Brislen said the Commerce Commission had reported that New Zealand’s 4G coverage now exceeded the geographical reach of 3G at its peak.
He urged farmers experiencing difficulties to report problems directly to their telecommunications providers.
The industry representative also highlighted the Rural Connectivity Group’s work to expand mobile coverage in remote communities.
According to Brislen, more than 600 mobile towers have been constructed through the initiative, which involves cooperation with the Government.
The infrastructure has been designed to improve connectivity along rural roads, at tourism destinations and in isolated settlements where commercial investment alone may not be financially viable.
Rural Connectivity Remains a Priority for Farm Safety
The disagreement between farmers and telecommunications providers highlights the continuing challenges of delivering reliable mobile services across New Zealand’s rural landscape.
While the industry points to expanded 4G infrastructure, Federated Farmers says many agricultural businesses are experiencing reduced connectivity and increased operating costs.
With emergency communications and worker safety at stake, the organisation is seeking practical improvements that restore dependable mobile coverage while longer-term technologies continue to develop.
Alexander Donovan writes for News Collective, covering news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current events, emerging trends, and stories that matter.