Copper broadband uses technologies that operate via traditional telephone lines and until recent years was the main way that most New Zealanders connected to the internet. Copper connections are progressively being superseded by fibre and other technologies such as wireless and, over time, will ultimately be phased out in some areas of the country.
ADSL
ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) is an older form of copper broadband, now used by a small minority of New Zealand’s homes. While it uses telephone lines, you can make and receive landline calls and use the internet simultaneously.
VDSL
VDSL (Very high bit rate digital subscriber line) is a newer technology that also uses copper telephone wires, but delivers a faster connection speed.
Copper broadband speeds
Speeds for copper broadband can vary widely depending on where you live. Speeds are especially dependent on factors such as the distance between your home and the nearest telephone exchange or roadside cabinet that contains the broadband networking equipment, as well as the technological age of that equipment. Find out the broadband speed available in your area using the National Broadband Map. Chorus also provide a check your broadband connection service on their website.
Copper Withdrawal
The success of the UFB rollout means by 2022 most New Zealanders are expected to have access to fibre at home and large parts of the traditional copper phone and broadband network will no longer be needed. In December 2020, the Commerce Commission published a new Copper Withdrawal Code which set out the process