Editing Telecommunications in New Zealand

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{{Use New Zealand English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}

'''Telecommunications in New Zealand''' are fairly typical for an industrialised country.

Fixed-line broadband and telephone services were largely provided through copper-based networks, but fibre-based services now represent the majority of connections. [[Spark New Zealand]], [[One NZ]], and [[2degrees]] provide most services, while a number of smaller [[mobile virtual network operator]]s also exist.

== History ==
[[File:Telegraph Office in Lyttelton.jpg|thumb|The historic telegraph office in Lyttelton from which the first telegraph transmission in New Zealand was made]]
The first telegraph opened in New Zealand between the port of Lyttelton and Christchurch on 16 June 1862.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 1}} The line was constructed along the Lyttelton - Christchurch railway line.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 1}} [[The Vogel Era]] from 1870 saw a major expansion of the telegraph network, including an inter-island cable.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 1}} Telegraph lines increased from {{convert|699|mi|km}} in 1866 to {{convert|3170|mi|km}} in 1876.{{sfn|Lloyd Pritchard|1970|pp=131–132}} The first overseas telegraph cable between Australia and New Zealand began operation on 21 February 1876.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 1}}

The Electric Telegraph Department formed to manage the growing telegraph network was merged with [[New Zealand Post Office|Post Office Department]] to form the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department in 1881.<ref name=Ara_2>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Mail and couriers – Mail in the steam era, 1850s–1890s |first=Tim |last=Shoebridge |url= https://teara.govt.nz/en/mail-and-couriers/page-2 |encyclopedia=[[Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |date=11 March 2010 |access-date=5 January 2019}}</ref>

Following early experiments with telephones on telegraph lines, the colonial government established a state monopoly in telephony with the [[Electric Telegraph Act 1875]].{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 1}} By 1900 there were 7,150 subscribers to telephone services.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/post-office|title=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand - Post Office|publisher=[[Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|date=1966|access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref> Telephony subscriptions grew greatly over the next century, it was estimated by 1965 that 35% of New Zealanders had a telephone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/1966/post-office/page-3|title=An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand - Post Office - Inland Telecommunications|publisher=[[Te Ara: Encyclopedia of New Zealand]]|date=1966|access-date=28 April 2019}}</ref>

New Zealand's first [[payphone]]s were installed in 1910, which was 21 years after the first ones in the United States. They were originally bright red.<ref name=":0"/>

By the 1980s there was major telephony traffic congestion on the New Zealand Post Office network.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 3}} In Auckland, the central exchange was overloaded and "verging on collapse"{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 3}} elsewhere in New Zealand users often experienced network overloading and crashes.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 3}} Some areas still had manual telephone exchanges; [[Queenstown, New Zealand|Queenstown]], for example, wasn't upgraded to automatic service until 1988.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Reunion 30 years after Queenstown telephone exchange closes|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/102341267/reunion-30-years-after-queenstown-telephone-exchange-closes|access-date=2020-05-20|website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |date=27 March 2018|language=en}}</ref> The New Zealand Post Office was highly inefficient, being hamstrung as a government department and required to apply to the Treasury for capital investment.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 3}} As the Post Office was a monopoly, it had no incentive to improve customer service.{{sfn|Newman|2008|loc=Chapter 3}}

The monopoly over telecommunications came to an end in 1987 when [[Spark New Zealand|Telecom New Zealand]] was formed, initially as a state-owned enterprise and then privatised in 1990.<ref name="Wilson2010">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Wilson|first1=A. C.|title=Telecommunications - Telecom|url=https://www.teara.govt.nz/en/telecommunications/page-6|encyclopedia=[[Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand]] |access-date=11 August 2017|date=March 2010}}</ref> Competition began in the early 1990s, greatly reducing prices. The first competitor to market was [[Clear Communications]], a consortium of North American and New Zealand businesses. [[Chorus Limited|Chorus]], which was split from Telecom (now Spark) in 2011,<ref>{{cite web|title=Telecom separation|url=http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/communications/previous-reviews-and-consultations/telecom-separation|publisher=Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment|access-date=11 August 2017|language=en|date=14 September 2015|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811055739/http://www.mbie.govt.nz/info-services/sectors-industries/technology-communications/communications/previous-reviews-and-consultations/telecom-separation|url-status=dead}}</ref> still owns the majority of the telecommunications infrastructure, but competition from other providers has increased.<ref name="Wilson2010"/> A large-scale rollout of gigabit-capable [[fibre to the premises]], branded as [[Ultra-Fast Broadband]], began in 2009 with a target of being available to 87% of the population by 2022, which was achieved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mbie.govt.nz/science-and-technology/it-communications-and-broadband/fast-broadband/broadband-and-mobile-programmes/|title=Broadband and mobile programmes - Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment|website=www.mbie.govt.nz}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, the United Nations [[International Telecommunication Union]] ranks New Zealand 13th in the development of information and communications infrastructure.<ref>{{cite web|title=2017 Global ICT Development Index|url=http://www.itu.int/net4/ITU-D/idi/2017/|publisher=International Telecommunication Union (ITU)|access-date=18 September 2018|language=en|date=2018}}</ref>

== Telephones ==
[[File:24 Dunedin Town Hall at the Octagon square, Dunedin, New Zealand.JPG|thumb|right|Telephone booths in [[Dunedin]]]]
{{Further|Telephone numbers in New Zealand|List of mobile network operators of the Asia Pacific region#New Zealand}}
*'''[[Country calling code]]:''' 64
** The same code is also used to reach [[Scott Base]] in [[Antarctica]] and the United States base [[McMurdo Station]] nearby.

=== Mobile phone system ===
* Number of mobile connections: 5.8&nbsp;million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Annual Telecommunications Monitoring Report - 2021 |url=https://comcom.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/279100/2021-Annual-Telecommunications-Monitoring-Report-17-March-2022.pdf }}</ref>
* Coverage available to approx 98% of the population.
** Operators:
*** [[2degrees]] (operating [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]] and [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]])
****[[Mobile virtual network operator|Virtual network operators]]: Warehouse Mobile (owned by The Warehouse Group),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.warehousemobile.co.nz/|title=Warehouse Mobile}}</ref> Nova Energy,<ref>{{cite web |title=Endless Mobile, Nova Energy |url=https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/mobile |access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref> [[Orcon Limited|Orcon]] (owned by 2degrees),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-06-01 |title=2degrees and Vocus NZ merger completes {{!}} 2degrees |url=https://www.2degrees.nz/media-releases/2degrees-and-vocus-nz-merger-completes |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=www.2degrees.nz |language=en-NZ}}</ref> [[Slingshot (ISP)|Slingshot]] (owned by 2degrees), and [[Electric Kiwi]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Electric Kiwi Expand Services with Kiwi Mobile |url=https://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=27047 |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.geekzone.co.nz |language=en}}</ref>
*** [[One NZ]] (operating GSM, UMTS, HSDPA and LTE)<ref>{{cite web |title=Coverage at your location over 5G, 4G, 3G and even 2G. Look for Coverage everywhere. One NZ. |url=https://one.nz/network/coverage/}}</ref>
****Virtual network operators: Flexiroam,<ref name="autogenerated1">{{Cite web|title=New Zealand Flexiroam |url=https://www.flexiroam.com/shop/esim-new-zealand/|access-date=2024-04-18|website=Flexiroam|language=en-US}}</ref> Kogan Mobile NZ,<ref>{{cite web |title=Kogan Mobile  Prepay Plans<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=https://www.koganmobile.co.nz}}</ref> Mighty Mobile (owned by [[Mighty Ape]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=Mighty Mobile: Mighty Ape, One NZ partnership offers unlimited high-speed prepay mobile plans |url=https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/technology/2023/08/mighty-mobile-mighty-ape-one-nz-partnership-offers-unlimited-high-speed-prepay-mobile-plans.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904214750/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/technology/2023/08/mighty-mobile-mighty-ape-one-nz-partnership-offers-unlimited-high-speed-prepay-mobile-plans.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 September 2023}}</ref> and Rocket Mobile (formerly [[MyRepublic]]).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rocket Mobile: Unlimited mobile data plans |url=https://rocketmobile.co.nz/ |access-date=2023-12-27 |website=Rocket Mobile |language=en-US}}</ref>
*** [[Spark New Zealand]] (operating UMTS, [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]] and LTE)<ref>{{cite web| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308003415/http://www.telecom.co.nz/newnetwork/ |url=http://telecom.co.nz/newnetwork | title=Telecom New Zealand Website – Information about mobile network|archive-date=8 March 2009|access-date=15 August 2014}}</ref>
****Virtual network operators: Skinny (owned by Spark NZ), Digital Island,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalisland.co.nz|title=Digital Island}}</ref> and Compass.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://compass.net.nz/residential/mobile-plans |title=Mobile plans |access-date=2024-04-18}}</ref>

=== Fixed-line telephone system ===
*Number of fixed line connections: 1.92&nbsp;million (2000)
*Individual lines available to 99% of residences.
*VoIP Cloud Based Voice services are now mainstream.
*Traditional Copper line Operators:
**[[Chorus Limited]]:  A large numbers of ISPs (referred to as "retail service providers") retail Chorus' connections to personal and business customers. As a wholesaler, Chorus does not retail internet connections to end users.

=== Cable and microwave links ===
* Domestic:
** [[Optical fiber|Optical fibre]] and [[microwave]] links between cities
** [[Submarine communications cable|Submarine]] optical fibre cables between the [[North Island]] and the [[South Island]]
* International:
** Submarine cables:
*** [[Hawaiki Cable]] (launched July 2018)<ref>{{cite news |title=Hawaiki opens new subsea route to the US with direct access to LA |date=25 June 2019 |url= https://itbrief.co.nz/story/hawaiki-opens-new-subsea-route-to-the-us-with-direct-access-to-la |newspaper=[[IT Brief]] |access-date=23 March 2021}}</ref>
*** [[Southern Cross Cable]] (to Australia and Hawaii)
*** TASMAN 2 (to Australia)
*** Tasman Global Access (to Australia, completed March 2017)<ref>{{cite news |title=Tasman Global Access cable lights up |first=Rob |last=O'Neill |url= https://www.reseller.co.nz/article/616872/tasman-global-access-cable-lights-up/ |work=ResellerNews |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=12 April 2017}}</ref>
*** Moana Cable (proposed)<ref name=Ryan20151209>{{cite news |title=Here's what New Zealand's internet looks like |first=Sophie |last=Ryan |url= http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11558184 |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=9 December 2015 |access-date=12 December 2015}}</ref>
** Satellite earth stations: 2 [[Intelsat]] (Pacific Ocean)

=== Payphones ===
{{As of|2022|May}}, there are approximately 2000 payphones in New Zealand, which few people use anymore due to the abundance of cell phones.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2022-05-22 |title=The reminders of a telco past still standing today |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/467621/the-reminders-of-a-telco-past-still-standing-today |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=[[RNZ]] |language=en-nz}}</ref> Some of them offer WiFi with a reception radius of 50 metres. Most calls made on these phones are 0800 numbers.<ref name=":0" /> Telecom previously made [[Telephone card|phone cards]], which had various designs such as New Zealand plants and birds. They were a fad for collectors; some cards would sell for up to $14,000.<ref name=":1" /> Telecom phased these out completely in 1999,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Telecom folds hand in phone card battle |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/telecom-folds-hand-in-phone-card-battle/SLG7LXGZGVGRAU6OGANNMZUY6A/ |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |language=en-NZ}}</ref> which caused prices of phone cards price to drop significantly. Today, mint condition cards sell for $1.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Edmunds |first=Susan |date=2016-11-10 |title=Collectible fad collapses leave buyers out of pocket |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/86316188/collectible-fad-collapses-leave-buyers-out-of-pocket |access-date=2023-11-18 |website=[[Stuff (website)|Stuff]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Radio ==
*'''Radio broadcast stations:''' [[AM radio|AM]] 124, [[FM broadcasting|FM]] 290, [[shortwave]] 4 (1998), 4 on Freeview digital satellite.
**See also: [[List of radio stations in New Zealand]]
*'''Radios:''' 3.75&nbsp;million (1997)

== Television ==
{{main|Television in New Zealand}}
*'''Television broadcast stations:''' 41 (plus 52 medium-power [[repeater]]s and over 650 low-power repeaters) (1997)
**These transmit 4 nationwide free-to-air networks and a few regional or local single transmitter stations. Analogue was phased out between September 2012 and December 2013
**Digital Satellite pay TV is also available and carries most terrestrial networks.
**Freeview digital free satellite with a dozen SD channels, with SD feeds of the terrestrial HD freeview channels.
**Freeview, free-to-air digital terrestrial HD and SD content.
**See also: [[List of New Zealand television channels]]
*'''Televisions:''' 1.926&nbsp;million (1997)

== Internet ==
{{See also|Internet in New Zealand}}
*'''[[Internet Service Provider]]s (ISPs):''' 36 (2000)
*'''Internet users:''' 4.55&nbsp;million (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=Digital 2021: New Zealand |url=https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2021-new-zealand |website=DataReportal – Global Digital Insights |date=9 February 2021 |access-date=19 December 2022}}</ref> 
*'''Fixed internet connections:''' 1.24&nbsp;million (2013)
*[[Country codes|Country code]] (Top level domain): [[.nz]]

==Telecommunications Development Levy==
{{main|Telecommunications Development Levy}}
The government charges a $50 million Telecommunications Development Levy annually to fund improvements to communications infrastructure such as the Rural Broadband Initiative. It is payable by telecommunications firms with an operating revenue of over $10 million, in proportion to their qualified revenue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comcom.govt.nz/regulated-industries/telecommunications/tdl/2012-13-telecommunications-development-levy/ |title=2012/13 Telecommunications Development Levy &#124; Commerce Commission |access-date=2014-03-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306100912/http://www.comcom.govt.nz/regulated-industries/telecommunications/tdl/2012-13-telecommunications-development-levy/ |archive-date=6 March 2014}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Economy of New Zealand]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last= Lloyd Pritchard |first=  Muriel F.  |title= An Economic History of New Zealand to 1939 |year= 1970 |publisher= Collins |location= Auckland }}	
* {{cite book|last=Newman|first=Keith |author-link=Keith Newman (writer) |title=Connecting the Clouds - the Internet in New Zealand|url=https://www.nethistory.co.nz/|publisher=Activity Press|date=2008|isbn=9780958263443}}
*{{CIA World Factbook|year=2003}}
{{refend}}

{{Oceania topic|Telecommunications in}}
{{Telecommunications}}
{{Economy of New Zealand}}
{{New Zealand topics}}

[[Category:Telecommunications in New Zealand| ]]