Is internet down in my area today ?

Fixed broadband issues: who builds and runs the network

New Zealand’s fixed internet network is built on a clear separation between infrastructure owners and retail service providers.

The backbone of the fibre network was deployed through the government-led Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative, which began in 2011. Today, over 87% of the population can access UFB fibre – one of the highest rates in the world.

The network is maintained by four infrastructure companies:

• Chorus, the largest, covers about 75% of the country
• Three regional Local Fibre Companies (LFCs):
• Enable (Christchurch)
• Tuatahi First Fibre (Waikato, Bay of Plenty)
• Northpower Fibre (Whangarei and Northland)

These operators do not sell internet directly to customers. Instead, retail providers like Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees use their infrastructure to offer fibre or copper broadband plans to the public.

This “open access” model promotes competition and redundancy. The Commerce Commission (ComCom), New Zealand’s telecom regulator, oversees service performance and reliability. Its reports highlight that NZ broadband services are generally stable and fast, although weather events or civil works can occasionally cause fibre outages.

Some providers also offer fixed wireless broadband using 4G/5G towers, especially in rural areas. This adds flexibility but may be affected by mobile signal strength or tower congestion.

Mobile network faults: shared coverage, private infrastructure

Three national operators own and operate mobile networks in New Zealand:

• Spark
• One NZ (formerly Vodafone)
• 2degrees

Each runs its own 4G and 5G mobile infrastructure, covering 97%+ of where people live and work.

To boost coverage in rural zones, the three operators collaborate via the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG), a joint-venture that builds shared mobile towers with government support.

Over the past few years, Spark and 2degrees sold their mobile tower assets to a shared entity called Connexa, while One NZ did the same with Aotearoa Towers. These towercos now own passive infrastructure, helping with network resilience and faster upgrades.

While the mobile network is robust overall, service may be disrupted by natural disasters, planned maintenance, or hardware failures.

What to do if your internet or mobile service is down

If you're experiencing a home broadband or mobile outage, follow these steps:

1. Restart your modem/router or mobile phone – some issues are temporary.
2. Check your provider’s network status page (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees) to see if there's a known outage.

If you use fibre:

• Confirm whether the ONT (fibre box) has power and lights are stable.
• If the issue persists, contact your ISP – they will coordinate with Chorus or your local fibre provider if needed.

If you’re on mobile or wireless broadband:

• Try switching airplane mode ON/OFF or forcing a network search.
• Move closer to a window or another location with better signal.

In any case:

• Report the fault to your ISP’s support line, especially if no outage has been published online.
• In major outages (e.g. storms, floods), check social media or Civil Defence for regional updates.

📌 Tip: If your mobile data works but home Wi-Fi is down, you can tether your phone temporarily to stay connected.