New Zealand - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Last updated: 1 Mar 2021 Update History

Report Pages: 191

Analyst: Henry Lancaster

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Summary
Table Of Contents

Covid-19 prompts better connections across New Zealand

The overall number of broadband subscribers in New Zealand has increased steadily in recent years, though at a slower pace in line with higher market penetration. The principal growth areas have been in the mobile broadband and fibre sectors. The UFB1 rollout was completed in November 2019 and the UFB2 rollout is 37% complete. As of June 2020, networks were available to 83% of the population and uptake on the network was at over 58.9%. Chorus announced in April 2020 that over 100,000 users on the fibre footprint have taken 1Gb/s plans.

New Zealand’s mobile market continues to undergo significant developments. There have been considerable gains made in LTE services, with effective competition between Spark, Vodafone NZ and 2degrees. Coverage from LTE networks has widened considerably, supported by the Rural Broadband Initiative rollout which is adding a large number of mobile cells to new or underserved areas. Vodafone, Spark and 2degrees each provide more than 96% population coverage with LTE.

Responses to the Covid-19 pandemic from MNOs include waiving data overage charges for customers on data-capped fixed and wireless broadband plans, assisting customers with payment terms, increasing or removal of data caps. The New Zealand Ministry of Health signed a Sponsored Data partnership agreement with MNOs Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees, which means that New Zealand citizens will not be charged for mobile data traffic when they access essential Covid-19 information, health information and resources, and eligible online health services.

This report assesses the key statistical data and regulatory measures in New Zealand’s telecom market. It covers the fixed-line sector and the progress of the UFB network rollout. The report also covers the fixed and wireless broadband markets, noting the rapid uptake of fibre-based services among consumers. In addition, the report analyses developments in the mobile voice and data segments.

Key developments:

Government allocates 3.5GHz spectrum after Covid-19 crisis forces cancellation of a planned 5G auction;
Spark extends the reach of its 5G service; stops providing PSTN services;
2degrees’ network covering 98.5% of the population;
Report update includes ComCom and Statistics New Zealand data for 2019 and 2020, operator data to December 2020, recent market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Spark New Zealand, Chorus, Vodafone New Zealand, 2degrees, Orcon, Snap, CallPlus, CityLink, Vector, NOW, Airnet, WorldxChange Communications, Vocus, Skinny, Compass, MyRepublic, Skinny, Slingshot, Trustpower, Enable Networks, Northpower Fibre and UltraFast Fibre.

Key statistics
Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Economic considerations and responses
Covid-19 responses
Mobile devices
Subscribers
Infrastructure

Telecommunications market

Market analysis

Regulatory environment

Fixed-line developments

UBA, UCLL, LLU and UBS access market developments
Minor changes post Spark and Chorus demerger
Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO)
Telecommunications Development Levy – 2010 - 2017
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)
Telecommunications Dispute Resolution (TDR)
Local and Mobile Number Portability (LMNP)

Mobile network developments

Spectrum
Spectrum auctions
Management Rights Regime
Mobile Termination Access Services (MTAS)
Mobile Termination Rates (MTRs)
Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile market

Mobile statistics

Mobile voice
Mobile data
Mobile broadband

Mobile infrastructure

5G
4G (LTE)
Other infrastructure developments

Major mobile operators

Spark Mobile
Vodafone New Zealand
2degrees Mobile
Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs)

Mobile content and applications

Mobile banking and payments
Internet of Things (IoT)
Mobile applications

Fixed-line broadband market

Introduction and statistical overview

Market analysis
Wholesale pricing
Broadband statistics

Hybrid Fibre Coax (HFC) networks

Vodafone NZ

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) networks
Fibre-to-the-Premises (FttP) networks

Wholesale fibre

Other fixed broadband services

Wi-Fi/ WiMAX
Satellite broadband

Digital economy

Market overview
E-commerce and M-commerce

Streaming Services

E-health
E-learning
E-government

Fixed network operators

Spark

Vocus

Telecommunications infrastructure

Overview of the national telecom network
UFB

UFB2/2+ program
New networks adding financial value to the economy

Wholesale fibre
Spark Joint Venture with Electra Group
Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI)
International infrastructure

Tasman Global Access (TGA)
Southern Cross Cable (SCCN) and Southern Cross NEXT
Hawaiki Cable

Smart infrastructure

Connected cars
Smart electricity meters
Smart grids
Smart cities

Appendix – Historic data
Glossary of abbreviations
Related reports

List of Tables

Table 1 – Top Level Country Statistics and Telco Authorities – New Zealand – 2020 (e)
Table 2 – Development of telecom sector revenue – 2009 – 2019
Table 3 – Development of telecom investment by sector – 2010 - 2019
Table 4 – Change in the number of subscribers by sector – 2010 – 2019
Table 5 – Change in the number of UCLL lines – 2009 – 2018
Table 6 – Annual cost of TDL – 2010 – 2020
Table 7 – Mobile plan pricing benchmarking
Table 8 – Development of mobile market revenue – 2010 – 2019
Table 9 – Change in mobile voice traffic – 2010 – 2019
Table 10 – Mobile voice traffic use per connection – 2010 – 2019
Table 11 – Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2010 – 2021
Table 12 – Annual change in mobile subscribers per major operator – 2010 – 2019
Table 13 – Market share of mobile subscribers per operator – 2010 – 2019
Table 14 – Development of SMS traffic – 2009 – 2019
Table 15 – Mobile data traffic per connection – 2011 – 2019
Table 16 – Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2010 – 2021
Table 17 – Mobile data use per connection – 2011 – 2019
Table 18 – Development of Spark’s mobile service revenue – 2009 – 2021
Table 19 – Development of Spark’s capex – 2011 – 2021
Table 20 – Growth in the number of Spark’s mobile subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Table 21 – Development of Spark Mobile’s ARPU – 2009 – 2020
Table 22 – Change in the proportion of Spark’s prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Table 23 – Change in the number of Vodafone’s mobile subscribers – 2007 – 2019
Table 24 – Development of Vodafone New Zealand’s financial data – 2012 – 2019
Table 25 – Change in Vodafone New Zealand’s cash investment – 2015 – 2019
Table 26 – Vodafone New Zealand spectrum licences
Table 27 – Growth in the number of 2degrees’ mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2020
Table 28 – Change in the proportion of 2degrees prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Table 29 – 2degrees key financial data – 2017 – 2020
Table 30 – Fixed broadband pricing benchmarking
Table 31 – Change in fixed-broadband penetration by access platform (OECD data) – 2010 - 2019
Table 32 – Change in the number of fixed-broadband subscribers and penetration – 2011 – 2026
Table 33 – Decline in the number of dial-up internet subscribers – 2011 – 2018
Table 34 – Growth in average data consumption per month – 2011 – 2019
Table 35 – DSL, cable and fibre broadband subscribers – 2011 – 2019
Table 36 – Change in the market share of broadband connections by technology – 2011 – 2019
Table 37 – Change in fixed-line broadband market share by operator – 2015 - 2019
Table 38 – Change in the proportion of broadband subscriptions by data rate – 2011 – 2018
Table 39 – Change in the number of fixed-broadband connections by data cap (per month) – 2010 – 2018
Table 40 – Change in the proportion of fixed-broadband connections by data cap (per month) – 2012 – 2018
Table 41 – Change in the market share of internet subscribers by residential/business segment – 2009 – 2018
Table 42 – Change in the number of Vodafone NZ’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Table 43 – Change in the number of Spark’s broadband subscribers by platform – 2015 – 2020
Table 44 – Development of Spark’s broadband revenue – 2012 – 2021
Table 45 – Increase in the number of UFB fibre subscribers – 2012 – 2020
Table 46 – Development of Spark’s financial data – 2009 – 2021
Table 47 – Annual change in Spark’s financial data – 2010 – 2021
Table 48 – Change in Spark’s revenue by sector – 2011 – 2021
Table 49 – Spark expenses by sector – 2009 – 2021
Table 50 – Change in the number of Spark’s fixed lines by division – 2012 – 2020
Table 51 – Annual change in Spark’s fixed lines by division – 2009 – 2020
Table 52 – Change in the number of local access lines – 2010 – 2020
Table 53 – Decline in local service calling revenue – 2010 – 2019
Table 54 – Fixed-line voice traffic use by type – 2006 – 2019
Table 55 – Fixed-line retail revenue – 2006 – 2019
Table 56 – UFB lines – 2012 – 2020
Table 57 – Historic - Internet users and penetration – 2000 – 2016
Table 58 – Historic - Telecom investment by sector – 2006 - 2009
Table 59 – Historic - Subscriptions to services by sector – 2006 – 2009
Table 60 – Historic - Regulated UCLL and UBA pricing – 2010 – 2012; 2014 – 2015
Table 61 – Historic - Sprint payments from TRS/TSO – 2004 – 2014
Table 62 – Historic - Spark and Vodafone network termination rates (Cents per minute) – 2011 - 2014
Table 63 – Historic - Mobile voice traffic – 2006 – 2009
Table 64 – Historic - Mobile voice traffic use per connection – 2006 – 2009
Table 65 – Historic - Mobile subscribers and penetration – 2001 – 2009
Table 66 – Historic - Annual change in mobile subscribers per major operator – 2002 – 2009
Table 67 – Historic - Market share of mobile subscribers per operator – 1995 – 2009
Table 68 – Historic - Spark prepaid versus postpaid subscribers – 2005 – 2009
Table 69 – Historic - Vodafone prepaid versus postpaid subscribers – 2005 – 2009
Table 70 – Historic – Spark and Vodafone network termination rates – 2010 – 2014
Table 71 – Historic - Mobile market revenue – 2006 – 2009
Table 72 – Historic - Mobile broadband traffic – 2010 – 2014
Table 73 – Historic - Spark mobile subscribers – 2001 – 2009
Table 74 – Historic – Estimated New Zealand population shopping online – 2008 - 2015
Table 75 – Historic – Spark fixed lines in operation by division – 2008 – 2012
Table 76 – Historic - Spark capital expenditure – 1999 – 2017
Table 77 – Historic - Local access lines – 2002 – 2009
Table 78 – Historic - Local service calling revenue – 2002 – 2009
Table 79 – Historic - Spark’s mobile subscribers – 2005 – 2009
Table 80 – Historic - Vodafone prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2010 – 2016
Table 81 – Historic – Fixed-line voice traffic use per connection – 2008 – 2016

List of Charts

Chart 1 – Development of telecom sector revenue – 2009 – 2019
Chart 2 – Development of telecom investment by sector – 2010 - 2019
Chart 3 – Change in the number of subscribers by sector – 2010 – 2019
Chart 4 – Change in the number of UCLL lines – 2009 – 2018
Chart 5 - Spectrum holdings
Chart 6 - Mobile market shares – total subscribers
Chart 7 - Investment in mobile access, by MNO
Chart 8 – Development of mobile market revenue – 2010 – 2019
Chart 9 – Change in mobile voice traffic – 2010 – 2019
Chart 10 – Mobile voice traffic use per connection – 2010 – 2019
Chart 11 – Growth in the number of mobile subscribers and penetration – 2010 – 2021
Chart 12 – Change in the market share of mobile subscribers per operator – 2010 – 2019
Chart 13 – Growth in the number of active mobile broadband subscribers and penetration – 2010 – 2021
Chart 14 – Comparison of NB-IoT, LTE-M and other cellular technologies
Chart 15 – Development of Spark’s mobile service revenue – 2009 – 2021
Chart 16 – Development of Spark’s capex – 2011 – 2021
Chart 17 – Growth in the number of Spark’s mobile subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Chart 18 – Development of Spark Mobile’s ARPU – 2009 – 2020
Chart 19 – Change in the proportion of Spark’s prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Chart 20 – Development of Vodafone New Zealand’s financial data – 2012 – 2019
Chart 21 – Change in Vodafone NZ’s cash investment – 2015 – 2019
Chart 22 – Growth in the number of 2degrees’ mobile subscribers – 2009 – 2020
Chart 23 – Change in the proportion of 2degrees prepaid and postpaid subscribers – 2010 – 2020
Chart 24 – 2degrees financial data (US$ million) – 2017 – 2020
Chart 25 – Fixed-line broadband connections by technology
Chart 26 – Change in fixed-broadband penetration by access platform (OECD data) – 2010 - 2019
Chart 27 – Change in the number of fixed-broadband subscribers and penetration – 2011 – 2026
Chart 28 – Decline in the number of dial-up internet subscribers – 2011 – 2018
Chart 29 – Growth in average data consumption per month – 2011 – 2019
Chart 30 – DSL, cable and fibre broadband subscribers – 2011 – 2019
Chart 31 – Change in the market share of broadband connections by technology – 2011 – 2019
Chart 32 – Change in fixed-line broadband market share by operator – 2015 - 2019
Chart 33 – Change in the proportion of broadband subscriptions by data rate – 2011 – 2018
Chart 34 – Change in the number of fixed-broadband connections by data cap (per month, thousand) – 2010 – 2018
Chart 35 – Change in the proportion of fixed-broadband connections by data cap (per month) – 2012 – 2018
Chart 36 – Change in the market share of internet subscribers by residential/business segment – 2009 – 2018
Chart 37 – Change in the number of Vodafone NZ’s fixed broadband subscribers – 2012 – 2019
Chart 38 – Change in the number of Spark’s broadband subscribers by platform – 2015 – 2020
Chart 39 – Development of Spark’s broadband revenue – 2016 – 2021
Chart 40 – Increase in the number of UFB fibre subscribers – 2012 – 2020
Chart 41 – Development of Spark’s financial data – 2009 – 2021
Chart 42 – Change in Spark’s revenue by sector – 2011 – 2021

List of Exhibits

Exhibit 1 – UBA services background
Exhibit 2 – Regulatory timeline – scheduled UBA and other services launch by service variant
Exhibit 3 – Liable operators for the TDL levy (2020)
Exhibit 4 – Overview of licensed versus unlicensed spectrum
Exhibit 5 – Overview of managed spectrum parks
Exhibit 6 – Brief history timeline of e-government strategies in New Zealand
Exhibit 7 – Previous government initiatives (historic) – Digital Strategy 2.0
Exhibit 8 – The 33 UFB regions by UFB LFC deployment by company

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New Zealand - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Purchase this Report

Covid-19 prompts better connections across New Zealand

Key developments:

Companies mentioned in this report:

Key statistics

Covid-19 and its impact on the telecom sector

Telecommunications market

Regulatory environment

Mobile market

Fixed-line broadband market

Digital economy

Fixed network operators

Telecommunications infrastructure

Appendix – Historic data

Glossary of abbreviations

Related reports

Purchase this Report

Share this Report

Purchase with Confidence

Research Methodology

Sample Reports

Hot Topics

News & Views