New Zealand’s mobile services revenue is projected to grow at a CAGR of 1.5 percent, rising from $1.5 billion in 2024 to $1.6 billion in 2029.
Credit Samsung
The growth in New Zealand’s mobile services revenue is driven by mobile data service revenue, which is set to rise at a 4.4 percent CAGR, offsetting the decline in mobile voice revenue (CAGR -2.1 percent) due to the shift toward OTT communication platforms, Sarwat Zeeshan, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, said.
Consumer spending is shifting toward high-speed data services as 5G adoption accelerates and data consumption rises.
As of mid‑2025, Apple commands roughly 38.8 percent of smartphone market in New Zealand, followed by Samsung with 31.8 percent, Google (including Pixel phones) at 18.1 percent, Oppo at 4.0 percent, and Xiaomi and various other brands filling out the rest (~3.0 percent unknown, ~1.1 percent Xiaomi).
Average monthly data usage is expected to nearly double from 7.68GB in 2024 to 14GB in 2029, fueled by video streaming, social media, and data-centric mobile plans.
Additionally, M2M/IoT subscriptions will grow at a 2 percent CAGR, supported by increasing enterprise adoption of fleet and asset management solutions.
Investment plans
New Zealand’s telecom sector is dominated by Spark New Zealand, One New Zealand (formerly Vodafone NZ), and 2degrees.
As of 2024, Spark holds the largest market share with approximately 2.4 million mobile subscribers, followed by One NZ with around 2.2 million and 2degrees with about 1.6 million. The country’s total mobile subscriptions have surpassed 6.4 million, indicating a mobile penetration rate of over 120 percent.
Operators are focusing on network modernization, 5G rollouts, and the shutdown of legacy 2G/3G networks to drive subscriber migration and improve service quality. 2degrees and One New Zealand are actively expanding their 5G infrastructure, with One New Zealand maintaining market leadership due to its investment in both consumer connectivity and enterprise IoT solutions.
Operators are investing significantly in network upgrades, particularly 5G and fiber. Spark plans to invest NZ$250–300 million annually in capital expenditure, with a focus on expanding 5G coverage to 90 percent of the population by the end of 2025.
One NZ has earmarked NZ$200 million for its mobile and fixed network upgrades, including rural connectivity under the Rural Connectivity Group initiative.
2degrees is allocating around NZ$150 million to enhance its mobile and broadband infrastructure post its merger with Vocus NZ. Collectively, these investments support nationwide 5G rollout, fiber broadband expansion, and improved rural coverage.
Strategically, the New Zealand’s telecom market is moving toward enhanced digital services, spectrum efficiency, and customized offerings for both consumer and enterprise segments to unlock future growth opportunities.
Baburajan Kizhakedath
