The Commerce Commission has released its latest broadband monitoring report which shows, for the first time, performance
results for Spark’s 5G wireless broadband service.
Telecommunications Commissioner, Tristan Gilbertson, says these results are useful for Kiwis wanting to compare
different plans and technologies.
“We can now see how 5G wireless broadband stacks up against the other broadband technologies we measure – something that
will be increasingly important as 5G networks roll out further across New Zealand and uptake increases beyond the
current total of 5,500 connections.”
The results for Spark’s Max Wireless 5G plans reveal average download speeds of 329Mbps during peak hours – more than
three times faster than Spark’s urban 4G Fixed Wireless at 61Mbps.
While 5G wireless broadband speeds could slow as more customers take up these plans and load builds on provider
networks, Mr Gilbertson says that the performance measured makes this a potentially attractive option for consumers.
This report includes download and upload speeds for Spark’s wireless plans, which are important factors for internet
experience. Mr Gilbertson says future reports will provide a more complete picture by including additional metrics, such
as latency, and how 5G wireless broadband performs across a wider range of applications – such as streaming and video
conferencing.
“We welcome the innovation in Spark’s 5G wireless broadband modems – which uses SamKnows software to monitor performance
for each of its customers – and flows into independent reporting under our MBNZ programme. We hope Spark’s move will
encourage other providers to get the performance of their 5G services measured and included in the MBNZ programme too.
“As broadband technology continues to evolve, we know consumers value having a clear, transparent and reliable source of
information to inform their choice of connectivity,” Mr Gilbertson says.
Background
While the Commission has been monitoring residential broadband performance since 2007, it first launched the MBNZ
programme in 2018 when it partnered with SamKnows, a world leader in broadband performance measurement.
Since then, the programme has published quarterly reports to provide independent information that shows broadband
performance across different providers, plans, and technologies to enable consumers to make confident and informed
choices about their connectivity and encourages providers to compete on performance, not just price.
For the first time this MBNZ report includes results from testing with Spark embedding SamKnows software directly into
the modems of 800 customers on its Everyday Wireless, Max Wireless and Rural Wireless broadband plans with its latest
Wireless Broadband modems (Spark Smart Modem 2 or a 5G Smart Modem).
The embedded testing uses the same methodology as the Whiteboxes supplied to volunteers of the Commission’s MBNZ
programme. The results are verified by SamKnows and comply with the Commission’s requirements for inclusion in the
report.
The Commission’s latest monitoring shows that there are currently around 5,500 consumers with a 5G wireless broadband
connection in New Zealand – a figure that is likely to increase as 5G networks are rolled out across more of the
country.