The New Zealand Telecommunications Forum’s Annual Report reveals just how much Kiwis get for the dollar after nearly a quarter century of innovation and growth. “Twenty years ago, my broadband cost $100 a month and gave me 600MB at a blistering 1Mbps. Today that connection is one thousand times faster with unlimited data,” says CEO Paul Brislen.
“Telecommunications have become an essential service, whether you’re at home, in the office or at school, or on the go. It’s the backbone of our daily lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined just a few years ago. Today the question isn’t ‘How much data do you use?’ but ‘What do you do with it?’ and the possibilities are endless thanks to world-class networks.”
The report’s key highlights include:
- Telecommunications service costs have fallen 3.2%, making connectivity more affordable for New Zealanders.
- The average fixed-line data usage per connection has soared from12GB in 2011 to 648GB today.
- Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services now account for 19% of rural broadband connections.
- Fibre accounts for 73% of all connections nationwide.
- Mobile customers use more than 400,000 terabytes annually.
“These numbers show our sector is delivering more for less, even as demand and expectations rise. We’re also seeing the retirement of legacy technologies like 3G and copper networks, making way for faster, more resilient connectivity through fibre, mobile, and satellites,” says Paul.
