New Zealanders are sending fewer text messages and disconnecting the landline but upping their internet usage, according to the latest telecommunications report from the Commerce Commission.
New Zealanders are texting less but their internet usage has increased by 37 percent, according to the Commerce Commission. Photo: 123RF
The report shows for the year to June broadband usage grew 37 percent on the year earlier, likely accelerated by the Covid-19 lockdown, and more people opting for unlimited usage plans.
Text messages sent fell 13 percent and landline connections were down 12 percent, while copper connections fell 24 percent as more households moved to fibre networks.
There were now 57 percent of of households on fibre, 13 percent on fixed wireless and 28 percent on copper.
By 2023, 87 percent of households should be able to connect to fibre.
Mobile roaming revenue fell by 20 percent for New Zealanders using their phone overseas, while revenue for overseas subscribers in New Zealand increased slightly.
Affordability-wise mobile and fixed broadband remained more or less on par with the OECD average.
Telecommunications Forum chief executive Geoff Thorn said the report showed New Zealanders continued to be well-served by the industry.
"The report shows huge growth in broadband and mobile usage during 2020, with New Zealanders relying more and more on their telecommunications providers as the pandemic forced massive changes in the way all of us learn, earn and live well."
"At the same time, total retail telecommunications revenue fell by 4 percent, reflecting both the impact of strong ongoing competition on retail prices as well as Covid-related revenue losses in some specialised services such as international mobile roaming."
Thorn said while New Zealanders were benefiting from the industry's multi-billion investments in new networks and technologies, it was important the industry remained sustainable.
"The Commerce Commission report shows the industry has invested $15.7 billion over the past decade, and New Zealanders are relying on telecommunications services more than ever. Yet in that same decade, industry revenue has remained essentially flat, at around $5 billion per year.
"As an industry, we face an ongoing challenge to achieve the necessary financial returns to invest in even better networks and services for the future."