Latest news with #OneNZSatellite
Techday NZ
18-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
One New Zealand invests NZD $100 million, wins top network award
One New Zealand has been recognised as the "Best in Test" mobile network for the fourth consecutive year following independent benchmarking by umlaut. Umlaut, a global mobile network testing specialist owned by Accenture, conducted detailed assessments of mobile operators across urban, regional, and rural regions. The evaluation combined on-the-ground drive testing with six months of crowd-sourced data from April and May 2025, providing a comprehensive review of New Zealand's mobile network performance. In the 2025 umlaut benchmark, One New Zealand achieved an overall score of 852 out of a possible 1000 (85.2%), ahead of Spark with 787 points and 2Degrees with 789 points. The testing criteria gave particular emphasis to real-life performance indicators including voice call quality, data speeds, and network reliability. Testing results According to the umlaut assessment, One New Zealand led in three core categories. These included voice services, which were measured by factors such as call setup time, continuity of data connectivity during calls, and overall voice quality. The company also ranked highest for data services, which examined web browsing performance, file download speeds, and the experience of streaming YouTube videos. Finally, One New Zealand was noted as the most reliable mobile network in New Zealand, leading on successful voice and data connections as well as call quality. Thaigan Govender, General Manager Mobile Access Networks at One New Zealand, outlined the reasons behind the network's continued recognition: Our fourth consecutive win is the result of smart, data-driven investment decisions that directly reflect how and where New Zealanders use our network and connectivity services. Govender detailed the level of investment and infrastructure development over the past year, noting, "Over the past full year, we've invested over NZD $100 million into our mobile network alone, building or upgrading almost 300 cell sites to 4G and 5G across metro, urban and regional areas, plus working with the Rural Connectivity Group. These improvements materially improve coverage and performance in the places Kiwis live, work, and travel." He continued, "We're stoked to be recognised as best in test for a fourth year running and are motivated to keep improving even further, using real-world data to deliver the best mobile experience in Aotearoa for One NZ customers and wholesale partners." Ongoing development One New Zealand has indicated further developments for the year ahead. Govender said, "We'll keep working to improve the network for our customers – whether that's through coverage and resilience innovation with the recently launched One NZ Satellite or through retiring legacy networks and re-using spectrum as we have planned with our 3G switch off from the end of the year – you can expect things to keep getting better as a One NZ customer." Umlaut's benchmarking methodology is recognised for incorporating a robust set of criteria, drawing on a mixture of controlled test data and metrics collected from real users. The benchmarks assess networks based not only on speed but also on reliability and quality of service in a variety of real-world conditions. The network's performance improvements over the past year are attributed by One New Zealand to substantial network investment. These included significant upgrades and new builds across different parts of the country, with a focus on upgrading cell sites to support the latest 4G and 5G technologies, and collaboration with initiatives aimed at expanding rural coverage. The latest umlaut testing affirms One New Zealand's position as the highest-performing national mobile network during the most recent evaluation period.
Techday NZ
13-06-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
One New Zealand & Starlink launch nationwide IoT satellite network
One New Zealand has launched a satellite-based internet of things (IoT) service, enabling SMS and data connectivity for IoT devices across the entire country. The nationwide service, powered by Starlink Direct to Cell technology, aims to provide coverage to regions that have previously been inaccessible due to a lack of traditional cell tower infrastructure. Nationwide coverage Mike Purchase, Chief Enterprise Director at One NZ, outlined the significance of the launch. "We're proud to announce another global first, with One NZ customers being the very first anywhere to benefit from brand new IoT connectivity covering all of Aotearoa, powered by our partner Starlink with their Direct to Cell technology," he stated. He explained the practical benefits of the expanded coverage, noting that the service addresses a longstanding challenge for many organisations. "Put simply, we now offer coverage for IoT devices across all of New Zealand, including the 40% that doesn't have traditional cell tower coverage. This offers One NZ customers the ability to connect off-the-shelf CAT-1 IoT modules that work on traditional mobile networks for an affordable price," Purchase said. The system uses standard 4G networks when available but automatically switches to One NZ Satellite in rural or remote areas, as long as there is line of sight to the sky. This hybrid model enables organisations to connect hundreds or thousands of devices across the country, facilitating the sharing of data such as GPS location and sensor readings from locations previously out of reach. Commercial beekeeping in remote areas One NZ has tested the service in collaboration with businesses ahead of its rollout. Among these is APIS Solutions, a company that supports commercial beekeepers in monitoring their hives remotely. APIS Solutions Chief Executive, Andrew Thompson is buzzing about the new technology: "Until now, it was complicated and expensive to connect hives outside of the traditional cell tower network. The One NZ Satellite service provides a night and day difference when it comes to the ability to connect and cost. Now using the same off-the-shelf mobile module that we use to connect to a traditional mobile tower, our customers can monitor, measure and make smarter decisions to reduce costs, optimise hive yields and hive health anywhere in NZ with a clear line of sight to the sky." He added, "This is also a great example of NZ companies working together to deliver solutions that have domestic and international appeal." Satellite network expansion Since its initial introduction in late 2024, the One NZ Satellite service has seen continued enhancement. Purchase highlighted the progress made by their partnership with Starlink and the growing capabilities of the network. "Since our launch, our partner Starlink has continued launching satellites at pace - there are now more than 600 in the sky, meaning that the capacity has doubled, and the availability has also dramatically improved, reducing the time it takes to send and receive SMS and now for our IoT customers, data as well. [...] We're hugely excited about how this will open up new opportunities in IoT for sectors like agriculture, transport, environmental monitoring and many more that power our economy here in NZ and that our customers can get started from today." The IoT connectivity available through this service is intended to support a wider range of applications across multiple industries in New Zealand, removing connectivity barriers in areas previously out of reach for cellular networks. Follow us on: Share on:
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
One NZ is all set for Fieldays 2025
This article was prepared by One NZ and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial. Visit to find out more about One NZ Satellite and a chance to win. One New Zealand is one of the leading telecoms companies in Aotearoa and once again a proud partner of Fieldays 2025. We are stoked to be a part of the event again this year and will be showing up bigger and better than ever so make sure to pay us a visit if you're heading to Mystery Creek for Fieldays on the 11th – 14th June 2025. What will be of keen interest to many attendees, is our recent launch of our game-changing One NZ Satellite service in partnership with Space X. This enables customers with an eligible One NZ phone & plan who are out of traditional cell-tower coverage to TXT from anywhere in New Zealand, with a line of sight to the sky.* You can find out much more about this service by visiting our stand in the Main Pavilion at PE50 and if you're there in the morning there'll be free barista coffee too. Or if you won't make it to Fieldays this year, just pop in to your nearest One NZ store to chat to one of our friendly team. There's also lots more info online at In addition to our main stand on site, there is also the Fieldays Village Green backed by One NZ where you can put your feet up, play some games with the fam or have a go at winning a prize on the One Big Dig game in collaboration with Stoney Creek. And obviously we've not forgotten about the One NZ Warriors. Make sure to visit both the sites to be in with a chance to win a One NZ Warriors experience to see them play. And finally, we'll also be running a few informative Tent Talks across the Wednesday & Thursday so make sure to check out the Tent Talks schedule for these. One New Zealand, let's get connected.
Techday NZ
23-04-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
One NZ satellite texting hits one million message milestone
One NZ has reached a milestone of more than one million text messages sent via its satellite service in less than four months since launch. The service, called One NZ Satellite, enabled over a million messages to be sent free of charge, providing coverage in areas previously without connectivity. This included a period during Cyclone Tam, when the service was made available to over one million customers as an emergency measure. According to Joe Goddard, Experience and Commercial Director at One NZ, the achievement highlights the impact of satellite messaging on daily life for individuals and businesses. Goddard said, "A million messages is an epic milestone. That's a million times a Kiwi or Kiwi business has stayed in touch with a friend, colleague, or loved one when they previously couldn't, or stayed safer while enjoying our incredible country, or more productive as they get information that otherwise would have had to wait. "These single moments all add up to a safer, more resilient and more productive New Zealand." The company has broadened access to the service by increasing the number of compatible phones from an initial handful to nearly 30 different handsets, with plans to add more. The service is now open to customers on Prepay as well as Pay Monthly plans. Goddard described the process of expanding compatibility, stating, "We started with a handful of devices, and through the hard work of our testing and network engineering teams, we tested new phones up and down the country before we certified them for satellite texting. We're now nearing 30 different handsets that you can use, with more planned." The satellite texting capability relies on Starlink Direct to Cell satellites, operated by One NZ's partner, SpaceX. Over 500 Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell functions are now in orbit. The company reports that the increase in satellites has led to significant improvements in the speed of message delivery. Goddard commented, "With over 500 Starlink satellites with Direct to Cell capability now in orbit, we've seen a dramatic improvement in the time it takes for a message to send or receive through space. The vast majority of messages are now sent and received within three minutes, with most in a minute or less." One NZ has highlighted the role of its satellite network in providing an extra layer of resilience for communications during extreme weather events or power outages that affect mobile coverage. The satellite service offers an alternative for maintaining connectivity when ground-based networks are down. "If you're a One NZ customer who values connectivity in a crisis, One NZ is the only place to be. With the service getting faster, more widely available, and now on Prepay as well on a plan, there's never been a better time to try texting through space," Goddard said. The expansion of the service and the uptake from customers follows its emergency use during Cyclone Tam, when thousands of texts were sent as part of the response to loss of traditional coverage. Tara Tran, a One NZ staff member, described one use case in which she relied on the satellite service to keep in contact with her children while they camped on a hilltop above Goat Island, demonstrating the practical application of the technology for New Zealand users.
Associated Press
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
One Nz Fortifies Its Network Against Disaster… Including a Zombie Apocalypse
AUCKLAND, NZ / ACCESS Newswire / April 14, 2025 / One NZ has just received its most bizarre endorsement ever for its mobile network, from the US-based Zombie Research Society. In an outlandish move, the historical, cultural and scientific research group has awarded One NZ with an accolade, the 'most zombie resilient network' following the launch of their One NZ Satellite service. Launched late last year, One NZ Satellite enabled Kiwi to enjoy the groundbreaking technology before almost anyone else in the world. The service allows customers with an eligible One NZ phone and plan who are out of traditional cell tower coverage to send and receive TXTs from anywhere in New Zealand, with a line of sight to the sky. It also offers an additional layer of security when disaster strikes and traditional telecommunication infrastructure fails. In a critical analysis offered by the Zombie Research Society, founder Matt Mogk commented, 'This notable technical evolution from One NZ offers a more resilient and robust communication network in the face of disaster. 'Due to its remote operation from space, rather than a terrestrial network of cell-towers on the ground, it has more capacity to withstand damage and maintain connection.' Matt Mogk's expertise comes from his extensive work with the Zombie Research Society, where he's studied crisis scenarios and societal resilience in the face of extreme events. His research has focused on the critical role of communication networks in maintaining order and safety during emergencies, particularly in 'disaster situations'. The Zombie Research Society is supported by a wider array of academics, authors and cultural commentors, including Harvard Medical School assistant professor Steven Schlozman. New Zealand-born Hollywood actor Cliff Curtis, known for his leading role on Fear the Walking Dead has returned to Aotearoa to share the endorsement with Kiwi, on behalf of the Zombie Research Society. The message was captured in a short video on social media and in an official presentation with One NZ CEO Jason Paris. Curtis says, 'Look, a zombie apocalypse can be disruptive. After years pretending to fight them on TV, I would know. So, when I heard about the apparent 'zombie-resilient' network back home, I had to test it out.' 'And one thing about zombies? They sure don't communicate very well. They might growl and grumble, but you can't beat real connection. It's this sense of community, of being there for one another, that matters. It's something I love about being home. 'So, if you're going to survive an apocalypse, zombie or otherwise, you better make sure you can get a TXT out. Tried and tested, One NZ Satellite has got your back - even in the middle of nowhere. And trust me, when the dead start walking, you want a lifeline.' While a zombie apocalypse might seem far-fetched, unfortunately, there are plenty of common disasters that Kiwi face and need to be prepared for in the future. One NZ CEO Jason Paris says that the business elevated efforts to enable a Satellite network in New Zealand following Cyclone Gabriel, which left many New Zealanders impacted and without connection. 'Cyclone Gabrielle was the deadliest weather event New Zealand had experienced in 55 years,' he says. 'I heard how scary it was not being able to tell anyone you needed help or to know that the people you cared about were safe. It was important to us to deliver a resilient solution to help New Zealanders be safer and more connected to each other. 'This is about giving Kiwi peace of mind with a reliable lifeline, no matter what the world throws at them.' Satellite TXT services have already been used globally in times of disaster, including during the Los Angeles fires earlier this year. In the case of another local disaster event impacting traditional cell tower communication, One NZ will provide its satellite service to all One NZ customers who have a 4G VoLTE roaming capable phone, no matter their plan. 'If Cyclone Gabrielle was to happen again today, New Zealanders can rest assured that One NZ Satellite would remain operational, and we are working to provide its benefit to as many Kiwi as possible in times of crisis, regardless of if they are a customer or not,' continues Jason. 'Our aim is to enable emergency alert messages to be sent to Kiwi with an eligible phone when they are outside of cell-tower coverage, no matter who their mobile network provider is. This will greatly extend the reach of these invaluable alerts, helping to keep Kiwi safer.' 'Outside of disaster and crisis, we also see a whole range of additional exciting applications, including sectors with workers that find themselves in the middle of nowhere, like agriculture, transportation and conservation,' he concludes. For more information about One NZ Satellite, please visit: To view and download assets including Cliff Curtis' endorsement film, click here Contact InformationJessica Walker Senior PR Manager 021 0236 0040 Related Video SOURCE: One NZ press release
