More Kiwis switching to Fibre Broadband as an online Rugby World Cup beckons
Source: Broadband Compare
EMBARGOED UNTIL 1:00pm, Thursday 28 March 2019
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The All Blacks take on the Springboks in Yokohama in under 6 months and with Spark Sport holding the broadcast rights in
New Zealand, and viewing of the majority of matches only available online, it is not at all surprising that Kiwis are
queuing up to upgrade their broadband connections and plans in order to be match fit come September.
New research conducted by Broadband Compare and Tactix ICT for their quarterly Broadband PULSE business information
report found that the summer season was all about fibre. 74% of the 2,800 survey respondents chose fibre broadband plans
when they switched. This was an increase of 6% on the previous quarter and showed that more Kiwis are choosing fibre
plans when they have the option available. Other technologies such as ADSL and Fixed Wireless saw a 7% decrease in
switchers when the option of a fibre broadband connection was available.
The Broadband PULSE report provides valuable industry insights into the New Zealand Broadband sector for the period from
December 2018 to February 2019. Generally regarded as the time of year when we see the most switching activity in
consumers, the report analyses over 3,500 residential sales, with additional insights from 2,800 consumers around NZ who
were looking at their broadband options.
Gavin Male, founder and CEO of Broadband Compare says "The summer season has been all about Fibre and that can be
explained by the wide range of offers promoted by internet providers over the summer period focussed on fibre
connections. Competition is ripe in the sector and competitive fibre offers are certainly having an effect on the
broadband market and market share of the bigger providers. When we analysed sales of the top 5 broadband plans during
the quarter, 38% of the sales were on one plan."
Those aged 25-34 were the most active in switching providers during this quarter and with a quality internet connection
becoming increasingly important in our everyday lives consumers are being driven by speeds, reliability and data caps as
well as price. Of the respondents who switched in the last quarter more than 12% chose to pay a higher monthly fee more
for a plan with better features. This percentage continues to rise month on month.
Male says, "We are certainly seeing an increase in consumers who are driven by the features that their broadband
connection offers. People are happy to pay more for faster speeds and better routers to get a better broadband
connection. Broadband customers are recognizing the importance of a high speed, unlimited fibre plan to consume the
media they want to and many are getting in early with upgrading their plan to make sure they can stream the full range
of games for the Rugby World Cup later this year."
Consumers can check if fibre broadband is available at their address and compare hundreds of broadband plans free of
charge atwww.broadbandcompare.co.nz
The latest Broadband PULSE quarterly report helps the broadband sector understand NZ consumer behaviour and provides
valuable, actionable insights including:
The latest insights into consumer broadband buying patterns and purchases right across New Zealand
Analysis of over 3,500 residential broadband sales and insights from 2,800 consumers around NZ who were looking at their
broadband options
Understand the competition, including a review of customer movement between internet providers during the quarter
A detailed overview of the top 5 plans sold which accounted for 56% of the uptake this summer
The latest full report is available for purchase at https://www.nzcompare.com/broadband-pulse
ENDS