As New Zealand prepares for the shutdown of its 3G network, Case IH customers are being urged to act now to avoid any disruptions from the move.
Telcos across New Zealand had announced plans to phase out 3G in favour of faster, more efficient 4G and 5G networks, with the final shutdown slated for the end of this year, December 31.
For farmers, it means machinery, equipment and systems that rely on 3G connectivity will no longer function after December 31 unless updated to 4G or 5G.
“For Case IH customers, they need to check if their machines are running on a 3G device, which they can confirm with their local dealer. It applies to machinery that dates prior to 2023, as from 2023 onwards, the majority of our machines started coming with 4G modems,” said Jeremy Duniam, Case IH Head of Precision Technology.
“It’s important to look at this as soon as possible because once the 3G network shuts down and the 4G connectivity isn't available within the machine’s modem, all the functionalities which are reliant on the connectivity will go dark.”
Jeremy said customers should contact their local dealer to explore upgrade options, with Case IH offering a range of heavily subsidised telematics device options to support the transition.
These upgrades will ensure growers can continue running FieldOps™ without interruption, maintaining access to real-time data, remote monitoring, and precision farming tools that are critical to daily operations.
“For older machines with 3G connectivity, upgrading will provide more capabilities, more information and data, helping improve decision-making and the outcomes for farming operations through the FieldOps platform.
“There are varying levels of functionalities available, so an upgrade can be quite cost-effective. It’s a matter of working out what you need for your business, and talking to your dealer about the best fit for you,” Jeremy said.
“We’ve put a number of upgrade offers in place to support customers through this transition, available right up until the end of December. Your local dealer can help identify the most suitable option based on your current setup and operational needs.
“There’s no doubt this is inconvenient for farmers, but it’s also an opportunity to reassess your current level of functionality and what it’s offering in terms of greater productivity and efficieny gains, and see if there’s a better option."
Jeremy emphasised the network shutdown shouldn’t be a cause for major concern for Case IH customers, saying if they acted now, they would avoid any disruptions.
“Planning is key. With a little under two months to go, this is the time to contact your dealer, talk through a plan and have the work scheduled before December 31. Future-proofing your machines now will negate any downtime and keep your business running smoothly.”
This upgrade offer is available to customers until the end of December, supporting growers through the transition and helping ensure uninterrupted access to FieldOps as 3G services wind down.