As a country we are downloading, streaming TV and gaming at nearly double the speeds we were last year. The average download speed for households and small businesses on the Chorus network in February 2017 was 41Mbps compared with 25Mbps the same time last year. So what’s driving our acceleration in download speeds?

Faster connections

As Chorus crosses the country laying ultra-fast fibre and upgrading the technology in our copper network, more Kiwis can, and are, taking advantage of our faster, more reliable broadband connections. The number of households on the Chorus network enjoying ultra-fast fibre has nearly doubled in the last 12 months to 21%, compared with 11% in February last year. VDSL connections have also increased to 17%, up from 12% in February 2016.

The Gig

The launch of The Gig nationwide in October last year has opened a whole new world of broadband for the over 10,000 Kiwis who made the move to our fastest residential broadband service by the end of February. Find out more about the Gig here.

Developing technology

Our use of new technology is also driving our increase in speed. Content is flying into our homes faster due to newer technology such as high definition online television and more interactive and complex online games.

New Zealand’s top broadband towns

So who is leading the charge in driving our faster broadband speeds? Dunedin is way out in front really making the most of winning our Gigatown competition to be the first place in New Zealand to receive our Gig broadband connection in 2014. It has an average connection speed of 196Mbps. North Shore City is second at 54Mbps. Third placed Rotorua at 51Mbps is also New Zealand’s fastest growing, meaning those in the Bay of Plenty are really embracing the faster broadband connections available to them.

Find out what broadband options are available in your area

Is better broadband at your place?

It is quite possible that better broadband is available at your place too. Take a look here to see whether you are one of the six in ten New Zealand households which can upgrade your broadband connection right away and get your place into the fast lane.

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