Kiwis can expect a big increase in their fibre speeds come June this year. That’s right. Wholesale fibre provider, Chorus, has announced that it will be making an increase to the speeds of its fibre network including Home Fibre Starter and Home Fibre 300. The best part is, it won’t cost broadband consumers a thing.
From June 2025, fibre 50 plans will see a double in download and upload speeds from 50/10 Mbps to 100/20Mbps. Fibre 300 plans, the most popular residential fibre, will enjoy a bump from 300/100Mbps to 500/100Mbps.
This increase in speed comes in response to the growing demand for data. By future-proofing our fibre network with faster speeds, Chorus aims to better anticipate and prepare for Kiwis advancing reliance on the digital world for more and more activities, from working from home, to gaming, to online doctor’s appointments.
Chorus reported several peaks in data usage in 2024, noting large streaming events like the Black Caps test match and upgrades for popular video games like Fortnite as key contributors. Although Kiwis are needing more data across the board. Over the last decade, New Zealand household data usages have skyrocketed from less than 50GB per month to around 650GB nowadays. Chorus predicts our usage could grow to a whopping 1000GB (one terabyte) per month by 2029, which isn’t too far away!
Mark Anue, CEO of Chorus, has pointed out that Kiwis expect high-speeds, reliability, and smooth connections without interruptions. Kiwis online activities demand higher download speeds to ensure seamless experiences. Many activities such as 4K video streaming, social media platforms like Tik Tok, gaming, and other applications require the video content to be pre-load in advance. This means that the internet speeds must be faster to accommodate a smooth experience without any buffering.
The significant boost in speeds will enable Kiwis to enjoy buffer-free video streaming, scrolling without lag, and multiple connected devices to enjoy a smooth experience at the time.
The upgrade in fibre speeds is likely going to have an impact on fixed wireless services across the board. With the higher speeds for the same price, fibre plans are going to offer more value for money, making fixed wireless plans less desirable in places where they have access to fibre. While fixed wireless plans can be a good alternative for rural Kiwis, those who live in places that have fibre, which is most of New Zealand, are soon going to have an upgrade in speeds for the same price.
Remember to jump on Broadband Compare to compare the different fibre plans available to you so you can be sure you are making a fully informed choice, and choosing the right plan that offers you the best deal. Don’t pay more when you can find yourself a better deal in just a few minutes and unlock savings that will make a true difference.
