Luke Henshall, Communications Manager, Chorus explains the latest on the retirement of NZ’s copper network, why these changes are taking place, and an outline of options available today for phone and internet.
Phone and internet services play a vital role in our lives — connecting us with loved ones and helping us stay informed. Because of this, changes to the technology which supports our services can feel a bit unsettling, but they needn’t be, as it is a chance to move to better, more reliable ways to stay connected.
What is the copper network, and why is it changing?
The copper network has been part of New Zealand life since the early 1880s. Over many decades, copper telephone lines were installed across the country, eventually reaching almost every home and business. For most of the 20th century, these lines delivered both home telephone services and, later, early internet connections.
However, technology has advanced dramatically. Newer networks such as fibre, wireless, and satellite are faster, more reliable, and better suited to how we use phones and the internet today.
Most Kiwis have already switched to these newer options, with the number of copper connections dropping sharply from about 1.7 million connections a decade ago to about 50,000 today.
With so few people still using copper, and with the network ageing as well as becoming more prone to faults, New Zealand has been gradually retiring the copper network. Chorus, which owns the copper network, now plans to retire copper services in remaining areas.
How might this affect you?
It won’t affect everyone. If you already have fibre, wireless broadband, satellite broadband, or rely mainly on a mobile phone, you may already be using alternatives to copper services without realising it. If still using a copper landline phone or older copper-based internet such as ADSL or VDSL, now’s a good time to look at moving to a newer service.
Some people worry they will lose the reliability of their copper-based phone or internet connection. However, copper services are often the first to fault in a weather event and can’t be relied on during a power outage. There are superior, more affordable alternatives available now. The best option is to depend on what is available in your area and whether you have mobile phone coverage.
Here are some of the alternatives now commonly used:
- Wireless broadband or wireless home phone services: These use the mobile phone network to provide home internet access and, if wanted, a landline phone too. They are especially popular in areas without fibre.
- Local wireless internet services: In some regions, local providers offer fixed wireless services using their own specialised equipment. These are different from mobile phone networks and can be a good option in certain rural communities.
- Satellite services: Services such as Starlink or Gravity can provide internet access almost anywhere in the country, even in remote locations. A landline service can also be added if desired.
- Using your mobile phone instead of a landline: Many people now find they simply don’t need a landline. If you have good mobile coverage, a mobile phone alone may meet your needs. If mobile coverage at home isn’t great but you have home internet, many mobile phones support Wi‑Fi calling, allowing calls to be made over your internet connection instead.
What should you do next?
The first step is to contact the company which currently provides your phone or internet service. They will explain whether you are using a copper service (if you’re not sure), what options are available in your area and help you choose the right solution. In many cases, you can move to a new service without changing providers.
Chorus also provides helpful information on their website. Visit
www.chorus.co.nz/copper-retirement
