Telecommunications in New Zealand

File:Telegraph Office in Lyttelton.jpg

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 Post Office Department to form the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department in 1881.{{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}}

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.{{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}} Telephony subscriptions grew greatly over the next century, it was estimated by 1965 that 35% of New Zealanders had a telephone.{{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}}

New Zealand's first payphones were installed in 1910, which was 21 years after the first ones in the United States. They were originally bright red.

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, for example, wasn't upgraded to automatic service until 1988.{{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 |date=27 March 2018|language=en}} 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 Telecom New Zealand was formed, initially as a state-owned enterprise and then privatised in 1990.{{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}} 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, which was split from Telecom (now Spark) in 2011,{{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}} still owns the majority of the telecommunications infrastructure, but competition from other providers has increased. 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.{{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}} {{As of|2017}}, the United Nations International Telecommunication Union ranks New Zealand 13th in the development of information and communications infrastructure.{{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}}

File:24 Dunedin Town Hall at the Octagon square, Dunedin, New Zealand.JPG]]

{{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.

• Number of mobile connections: 5.8 million (2021){{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 }}
• Coverage available to approx 98% of the population.
• Operators:
• 2degrees (operating UMTS and LTE)
• Virtual network operators: Warehouse Mobile (owned by The Warehouse Group),{{cite web|url=https://www.warehousemobile.co.nz/|title=Warehouse Mobile}} Nova Energy,{{cite web |title=Endless Mobile, Nova Energy |url=https://www.novaenergy.co.nz/mobile |access-date=15 May 2023}} Orcon (owned by 2degrees),{{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}} Slingshot (owned by 2degrees), and Electric Kiwi.{{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}}
• One NZ (operating GSM, UMTS, HSDPA and LTE){{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/}}
• Virtual network operators: Flexiroam,{{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}} Kogan Mobile NZ,{{cite web |title=Kogan Mobile Prepay Plans |url=https://www.koganmobile.co.nz}} Mighty Mobile (owned by Mighty Ape),{{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}} and Rocket Mobile (formerly MyRepublic).{{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}}
• Spark New Zealand (operating UMTS, HSDPA and LTE){{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}}
• Virtual network operators: Skinny (owned by Spark NZ), Digital Island,{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalisland.co.nz|title=Digital Island}} and Compass.{{cite web |url=http://compass.net.nz/residential/mobile-plans |title=Mobile plans |access-date=2024-04-18}}

• Number of fixed line connections: 1.92 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.

• Domestic:
• Optical fibre and microwave links between cities
• Submarine optical fibre cables between the North Island and the South Island
• International:
• Submarine cables:
• Hawaiki Cable (launched July 2018){{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}}
• Southern Cross Cable (to Australia and Hawaii)
• TASMAN 2 (to Australia)
• Tasman Global Access (to Australia, completed March 2017){{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}}
• Moana Cable (proposed){{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}}
• Satellite earth stations: 2 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)

{{As of|2022|May}}, there are approximately 2000 payphones in New Zealand, which few people use anymore due to the abundance of cell phones.{{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}} Some of them offer WiFi with a reception radius of 50 metres. Most calls made on these phones are 0800 numbers. Telecom previously made 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. Telecom phased these out completely in 1999,{{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}} which caused prices of phone cards price to drop significantly. Today, mint condition cards sell for $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 |language=en}}

• Radio broadcast stations: AM 124, FM 290, shortwave 4 (1998), 4 on Freeview digital satellite.
• See also: List of radio stations in New Zealand
• Radios: 3.75 million (1997)

{{main|Television in New Zealand}}

• Television broadcast stations: 41 (plus 52 medium-power repeaters 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 million (1997)

{{See also|Internet in New Zealand}}

• Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 36 (2000)
• Internet users: 4.55 million (2021){{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}}
• Fixed internet connections: 1.24 million (2013)
• Country code (Top level domain): .nz

{{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.{{cite web |url=http://www.comcom.govt.nz/regulated-industries/telecommunications/tdl/2012-13-telecommunications-development-levy/ |title=2012/13 Telecommunications Development Levy | 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}}

• Economy of New Zealand

{{Reflist}}

{{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}}