New Zealand - Wireless Broadband - Statistics, Overview and Providers

Synopsis

Close to a 100% increase in the number of mobile broadband subscribers since mid-2009 to late 2011 in New Zealand has dwarfed developments in wireless broadband, with mobile broadband now representing a sizeable portion of the country’s total broadband subscriber base. Nevertheless wireless broadband offerings continue to be concentrated around New Zealand’s major regional and city centres where the main providers, including Woosh, CityLink, Compass Communications and Zenbu offer coverage.

Competition from mobile broadband is pushing pricing down and contributing to an even greater regional coverage. The commitment from the government and the commencement of the multi-million dollar investment in securing widespread access to high-speed broadband internet may even present a further hurdle for wireless providers as the national UFB/RBI infrastructure closes the gaps in coverage.

Changes in the availability of technology are simplifying the process of accessing wireless broadband as smartphones and mobile data plans become more popular. The availability of this technology removes a barrier to WiFi, but cost, coverage and speed now becoming the choice for consumers and businesses.

In late 2011, Woosh company and its assets were sold to Canadian-based Craig Wireless South, see chapter 3.4 for further information.

Companies mentioned

Companies mentioned in this report include – CityLink, Compass Communications, Craig Wireless South Farmside, IPSTAR, Kordia, Rural Inzone, Telecom, TelstraClear, Vodafone, Woosh, Zenbu.

Hot topics and technologies mentioned

Hot topics and technologies mentioned in this report include – 3G Broadband, HSDPA, spectrum WiFi, WiMAX.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. Wireless broadband market
  • 2.1 Overview
    • 2.1.1 Statistics
  • 2.2 WiFi
    • 2.2.1 Overview
    • 2.2.2 Free WiFi is extending
  • 2.3 WiMAX
    • 2.3.1 Market overview
  • 2.4 Satellite
    • 2.4.1 Overview
    • 2.4.2 IPSTAR
    • 2.4.3 ICONZ
    • 2.4.4 Optus
    • 2.4.5 Rural Inzone
• 3. Major wireless broadband providers
  • 3.1 Compass Communications
    • 3.1.1 Company overview
    • 3.1.2 Company divisions
  • 3.2 Kordia
    • 3.2.1 Overview
    • 3.2.2 Metro Wi-Fi network
  • 3.3 TelstraClear
  • 3.4 Woosh Wireless
    • 3.4.1 Company information
    • 3.4.2 Background strategy analysis
    • 3.4.3 Sale of company and 4G spectrum
    • 3.4.4 Operating statistics and financial results
  • 3.5 Zenbu Networks
    • 3.5.1 Overview
    • 3.5.2 Possible expansion into Australia
    • 3.5.3 Subscriber and network statistics
• 4. Related reports

• Table 1 – Broadband subscribers by technology – 2007 - 2012
• Table 2 – Broadband penetration – wireless versus fixed-line access – 2005 - 2011
• Table 3 – Woosh Wireless subscribers – 2005 - 2010
• Table 4 – Woosh Wireless key financial overview – 2004 - 2010
• Table 5 – Zenbu subscribers, WiFi zones and data throughput – 2007 - 2012

• Chart 1 – Broadband subscribers – annual change by technology – 2005 - 2012
• Chart 2 – Woosh Wireless key financial overview – 2004 - 2010
• Chart 3 – The growth of Zenbu subscribers, WiFi zones and data throughput – 2007 - 2012

• Exhibit 1 – Background information on IPSTAR deployment in New Zealand
• Exhibit 2 – Compass Communications at a glance – 2011
• Exhibit 3 – Compass Communications – brief company history
• Exhibit 4 – Kordia at a glance – 2011
• Exhibit 5 – Woosh at a glance – 2011