Fibre broadband is now available to over 87% of New Zealand homes, and it’s almost always faster, more reliable, and cheaper per Mbps than older copper or VDSL connections. If you have fibre available at your address and you’re not already connected, this guide explains everything you need to know.
Speed (standard fibre 300): 300 Mbps download / 100 Mbps upload
Cost: $55–$80/month for Fibre 300 depending on provider
Installation: Free (typically) — requires a technician visit
Infrastructure: Chorus (most of NZ), Enable (Christchurch), Northpower (Whangarei)
Latency: Typically 5–15ms — far lower than copper or satellite
What Is UFB?
UFB stands for Ultra-Fast Broadband — the government-backed fibre rollout programme that started in 2009. The programme funded the construction of a fibre optic network to 87% of NZ homes, primarily through Chorus as the infrastructure company.
The UFB network uses GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) technology, delivering symmetrical or near-symmetrical speeds up to 4 Gbps for residential services. Retailers (ISPs) buy capacity from Chorus and sell it to consumers.
Fibre Speed Tiers (2026)
Chorus and LFCs offer several speed tiers to retailers:
| Plan name | Download | Upload | Who needs it? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre 100 / Basic | 100–200 Mbps | 20 Mbps | Light users, 1–2 people |
| Fibre 300 (standard) | 300 Mbps | 100 Mbps | Most households |
| Fibre 900 | 900 Mbps | 400–500 Mbps | Power users, large households |
| Hyperfibre 2000 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | Very heavy users, small businesses |
| Hyperfibre 4000 | 4,000 Mbps | 4,000 Mbps | Available in select areas |
For the vast majority of NZ households, Fibre 300 is more than sufficient. 300 Mbps can support:
- 4K streaming on 6–8 devices simultaneously
- Video calls on multiple devices
- Large file downloads in seconds
- Gaming with multiple players online
- Work-from-home on several computers
Upgrading to Fibre 900 only makes sense if you regularly need to upload large files (video content creators, remote backup of large datasets) or have more than 8–10 simultaneous heavy users.
How Fibre Installation Works
Step 1 — Check if fibre is available
Enter your address at chorus.co.nz or your chosen ISP’s website. If “fibre ready” shows, installation is straightforward. If “fibre build required” shows, there may be a delay while the connection is built to your property.
Step 2 — Sign up with an ISP
Choose your provider and sign up online. The ISP will schedule the installation. There are usually two types of installation:
Simple install (most cases): Your property already has a fibre connection terminated at the exterior (“fibre ready”). A technician runs the fibre from the exterior ONT (Optical Network Terminal) to a connection point inside your home and installs/connects the ONT. Takes 1–4 hours.
Complex install (less common): Fibre needs to be trenched from the street to your property. Can take longer and may require consent for trenching.
Step 3 — Inside your home
You’ll need:
- An ONT (provided by Chorus or the LFC) — the fibre modem box, usually installed on an inside wall
- A router (provided by your ISP or you can use your own) connected to the ONT
- WiFi from the router to your devices
Most ISPs include a router with sign-up — quality varies. Consider upgrading to a better router (e.g., TP-Link Archer or ASUS RT series) if your ISP’s included router doesn’t cover your whole home.
Does Fibre Work During a Power Cut?
No. Unlike copper phone lines (which carried power), fibre requires electricity for the ONT and router. If you lose power, you also lose broadband.
If you rely on broadband for critical communications, consider:
- A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for your ONT and router — keeps internet running for 1–8 hours during a power outage
- Mobile data as a backup (most NZ mobile networks remain up during power cuts as towers have backup power)
Fibre vs VDSL/ADSL
If you’re currently on VDSL or ADSL (older copper broadband), upgrading to fibre is almost always worthwhile where available:
| Feature | VDSL | Fibre 300 |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | 40–70 Mbps | 300 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 10–20 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Latency | 10–30ms | 5–15ms |
| Weather-affected? | Sometimes | No |
| Cost | $60–$75/month | $55–$80/month |
| Reliability | Moderate | High |
Fibre is typically faster, more reliable, and often cheaper than VDSL for the same provider. There’s rarely a good reason to stay on VDSL if fibre is available.
Fibre vs Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless broadband uses radio signals from a cell tower to provide broadband, without a fibre connection. Offered by Spark, One NZ, Wireless Nation, and others.
| Feature | Fibre 300 | Fixed Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 300 Mbps | 50–300 Mbps (varies) |
| Latency | 5–15ms | 15–40ms |
| Reliability | Very high | Generally good (weather can affect) |
| Installation | Technician visit | Self-install (typically) |
| Data caps | Unlimited (most) | Sometimes limited |
| Cost | $55–$80/month | $65–$95/month |
Choose fibre when available — it’s more reliable and usually better value. Fixed wireless is useful for properties where fibre installation is complex, for those wanting quick self-install, or as a temporary solution while waiting for fibre.
Checking If Fibre Is Available at Your Address
- chorus.co.nz — Chorus address checker (covers most of NZ)
- enable.net.nz/maps — Enable network map for Christchurch
- Your ISP’s website — most have address checkers that show available speed tiers