The New Zealand mobile market stands out for its dynamic development and the introduction of advanced technologies. The three main operators – One NZ, Spark New Zealand, and 2degrees – actively compete. In this article, we will analyze the main advantages, pricing, and coverage quality of New Zealand mobile networks.
New Zealand mobile market overview
Urban centers in the country have wide coverage and good service quality. According to Speedtest, the download speed in New Zealand is 112.37 Mbps, and the upload speed is 12.21 Mbps. The latency is 29 ms.
The country’s performance puts it in 33rd place in the overall ranking for January 2025.
Major operators such as One NZ (formerly Vodafone), Spark, and 2degrees provide stable 4G and 5G coverage for the majority of the population.
Coverage and quality
In urban areas such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, users can expect reliable connectivity and high-speed internet. Providers are actively expanding their 5G networks. They strive to deliver cutting-edge services to customers. Meanwhile, coverage may be less stable in remote and rural areas. This is due to difficult terrain and low population density. To improve the situation, they are introducing new technologies:
- 5G mmWave – used in large cities to provide very high internet speeds.
- 5G Standalone – technology that doesn’t depend on the 4G network and improves the performance and stability of communication.
- Low-band 5G for remote regions – low-frequency bands that provide better coverage over long distances.
- Spark NZ has partnered with Starlink to provide mobile satellite internet in hard-to-reach areas.
- LTE-M and NB-IoT – connecting smart devices (smart meters, sensors, monitoring systems) in rural areas with minimal power consumption.
To improve connectivity in rural and remote areas, New Zealand mobile networks have joined forces to form the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) joint venture. RCG’s goal is to build new mobile towers to provide high-speed wireless Internet to additional households. This improves coverage on more than 700 kilometers of public roads.
Disconnecting outdated systems
By the end of 2025, all major operators plan to completely switch off 3G networks, freeing up the frequency spectrum for the expansion of 4G and 5G services. This transition is driven by declining demand for 3G and the need to maintain modern communication standards.
eSIM technology
The introduction of eSIM technology is gaining popularity in New Zealand, giving users the ability to easily change operators and plans without physically replacing the SIM card. This is convenient for travelers and those who frequently change service suppliers.
Ohayu has travel eSIM plans for New Zealand that can connect you to local networks, like ONE, without a physical SIM card.
Plans
Mobile communication in the country is known for its high cost, especially for mobile Internet. The starting price is at least $40 for 5GB. In cities, public Wi-Fi networks are available, but the cost and traffic restrictions can be considerable. Therefore, we recommend choosing plans carefully, considering the requirements and budget.
Top 3 New Zealand mobile networks
There are three main operators in the country – 2degrees, Spark New Zealand, One NZ, and their MVNOs. Mobile virtual operators are providers without their own towers and network equipment. They use the networks of large operators to deliver communication solutions.
2degrees
Launched in 2009, 2degrees quickly gained popularity thanks to its affordable tariffs and quality service. Today, 4G coverage is available in almost the entire country. 5G is reachable in Wellington, Auckland, Invercargill, the Gore area, Queenstown, Dunedin, Christchurch, Dannevirke, and other major cities across the country.
The operator continues to expand its presence in the market in terms of extensive coverage. The company is now focused on improving coverage and service quality, especially in regional and remote areas.
2degrees delivers favorable conditions for families and groups of friends. The primary user can add additional members to their plan at reduced rates. This helps to save on sharing services.
There are discounts for SuperGold cardholders (for retirees and seniors). This includes discounts on mobile, internet plans, and broadband,
2degrees runs a Community Benefits program. The provider actively supports local communities by offering tariffs and discounts for non-profit organizations and charities. Teachers, nurses, rescuers, students, and military personnel also receive hugely lucrative deals. For example, it’s $43 for 10GB of carryover data, 5G ready, no limits on texts, minutes, and group plans from $30/month.
2degrees MVNOs
| MVNO | Pricing | What’s included |
| Warehouse Mobile | $9/month | 300MB, 100 minutes on calls, endless text, free call Warehouse mobile numbers |
| Nova Energy | $19/month | 5GB data, unlimited calls and SMS, add up to 5 more SIMs |
| Slingshot | $40/month | 5GB carryover data, 300 carryover minutes, unlimited texts |
| Electric Kiwi | $39.54/month | payment with friends (1 buddy – $34.98 /month, 2+ buddies – $30.42 /month) |
Spark
This is another leader in the country’s telecoms market. In August 2014, the company changed its name from Telecom New Zealand to Spark, reflecting its new direction and commitment to innovation. Spark provides a wide range of services, from mobile communications to cloud solutions. It constantly invests in infrastructure.
In April 2023, the company announced plans to invest between NZ$250 million and NZ$300 million in data center construction over the next three years, as well as up to NZ$60 million in 5G network development.
Spark features integration with popular platforms such as Netflix, Spotify Premium, and Neon. Customers get access to these platforms as part of their mobile or broadband packages. It gives additional value without separate subscriptions.
The company is actively developing IoT solutions. It runs fleet tracking, water monitoring, and asset management solutions. This makes Spark an attractive partner for business customers interested in implementing modern technologies.
Spark MVNOs
| MVNO | Pricing | What’s included |
| Skinny | $17/ 4 week | 1.5 GB rollover data, 200 rollover minutes, unlimited texts |
| Digital Island | $35/month | 16GB data, hotspotting & tethering included, voicemail |
One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone)
It is one of the largest mobile operators in the country, formerly known as Vodafone NZ. One has partnered with Starlink to provide the Satellite TXT service. It allows users to send text messages in places without traditional cellular coverage. This is useful for customers in remote areas or when traveling.
One Wallet service is available. This is a digital wallet to which the company credits bonus funds (One Wallet Dollars). Clients can use these funds to purchase new devices in interest-free installments. It reduces the cost of upgrading equipment.
The price of a 5GB package starts at $45 as of February 2025. Other packages include 50GB of data and unlimited deals starting at $85 per month.
ONE NZ MVNOs
| MVNO | Pricing | What’s included |
| Kogan Mobile NZ | from $15/month | unlimited standard calls & texts;fast 5G speeds |
| Mighty Mobile | $24/month | unlimited data up to 10Mbps;standard calls & texts;perfect for 720p, HD;hotspot at no extra cost |
| Rocket Mobile | $30/month | unlimited data at 2Mbps;10GB of hotspot data;no limits on calls and SMS |
One NZ, 2degrees, and Spark – detailed analysis
So which New Zealand mobile network is the best? You should check out Opensignal’s analysis from September 2024. According to it, 2degrees is a clear leader in most categories, including download and upload speeds.
In terms of 5G, 2degrees is at the top of all subcategories. For example, Opensignal scores 76.5 points (video), 84.7 (games) on a 100-point scale, and a 5G download speed of 343.1Mbps.
One NZ is a co-winner in 5G coverage and availability.
Spark doesn’t have a lot of awards, but it’s still competitive. It won in overall coverage experience with a score of 9 out of 10.
The operator also got 853 points out of 1000 in the reliability experience. It is measured based on the quality of network connectivity, task completion, and sufficiency.
To sum up
New Zealand mobile networks show a strong desire to develop 5G technologies, as each of them covers a huge part of the territory. They provide residents and tourists with high-quality communication and data transfer speeds. Of course, there are problems with remote regions and villages, but even there, there is 3G and 4G coverage, so no one will be left without a connection.
What about the best operator? 2degrees has implemented 5G technology, and it is a great choice for those who want fast and stable mobile Internet. Gamers, streamers, and high-speed internet enthusiasts will find it to be the top solution. One NZ is about undisputed availability throughout the country. If you travel frequently in New Zealand, work in remote areas, or need guaranteed connectivity at all times, this carrier is the best option. If you’re a 5G user, but aren’t willing to pay extra for maximum speeds, Spark could be the golden mean between affordability and performance.
Moreover, eSIMs are becoming increasingly popular. International eSIM providers like Ohayu can connect you to local New Zealand mobile networks with no physical cards. This is a beneficial solution for traveling because eSIMs often cost less than your home operator’s roaming.
Aside from the single country plan, Ohayu has a Global eSIM that can get you connected in 120+ countries and automatically switch operators when you cross borders. It’s a great option for international travel.
