Your guide to the broadband map

Helping New Zealanders explore what broadband may be available to them, the broadband map continues to be the most comprehensive consolidated data set of broadband technology data we have at InternetNZ. This is thanks to the thirty-nine organisations that share their coverage data with us.

We continuously receive data from organisations rolling out broadband infrastructure across Aotearoa. Predominantly this is for fixed wireless and fibre technologies. Which is then combined with the legacy coverage for ADSL and VDSL, which is based on the old copper network.

Key terms

• ADSL: ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is used for faster download speeds than uploads, which is why it's asymmetric. Most Internet users need higher download speeds for browsing, streaming and other activities.
• VDSL: VDSL (Very high-speed Digital Subscriber Line) provides even faster speeds than ADSL connections, but with the same priority to download speeds.
• Fibre: Fibre Internet connections use a fibre-optic cable to send data at much higher speeds than other wired connections.
• Wireless: As the name implies, wireless Internet connections allow you to connect to the Internet with no wires. This uses radio waves from towers in an area, although the distance these towers reach is limited.

So how does the map work?

We combine the data sets from providers and merge them into the technology layers you see on the map; Fibre, VDSL, ADSL, Fixed Wireless. Where providers share with us planned rollouts, we also show this data so you can have a better understanding of what’s coming in the future.

With the coverage data in place, we then provide an address search feature that allows you to find out what broadband technologies are available at any address in Aotearoa.

It is also possible to explore the broadband map without an address and instead drop a “pin”. Just click anywhere on the map and a pin will appear in the left hand panel showing what providers have technology in that location.

If you just wish to explore the country and see what technology is where, visit the availability page, slide the left hand panel away and choose which layers to show on the map. Zoom in to see your desired area in more detail.

We also have a neat feature that allows other websites to embed a widget of the broadband map. You can see an example of this on the Vetta.Online site. They’ve made it useful to check coverage is available wherever you are in the country. 

Where next for the Broadband Map?

Over the coming year, we aim to continue improving the amount of coverage available through the Broadband Map and types of data shared. For example, we hope to add coverage for the satellite and mobile broadband (3g, 4g, 5g). We may also explore how broadband performance is measured and reported on and this might guide informed decision making. If there is something you would like to see then please let us know!

We love helping citizens of Aotearoa understand the technologies available to them so that they can truly harness the power of the Internet.