What is Broadband Internet?

Complete guide to broadband internet - how it works, types available, and what speeds you need for your household in New Zealand.

Quick Answer

Broadband is high-speed internet that provides fast, always-on connectivity to your home. It's much faster than old dial-up connections and doesn't tie up your phone line. In New Zealand, broadband includes fiber (fastest), ADSL, VDSL, and mobile broadband options.

How Does Broadband Work?

The Basics

Broadband transmits digital data using various technologies. Unlike dial-up which used your phone line temporarily, broadband provides a dedicated, always-on connection.

  • Always-on connection (no dialing required)
  • Much faster than dial-up (25+ Mbps vs 0.056 Mbps)
  • Can be shared among multiple devices

Connection Process

1

ISP connects your home via fiber, copper, or wireless

2

Modem/router converts signals for your devices

3

WiFi shares connection wirelessly to all devices

Types of Broadband in New Zealand

Fiber Optic (Fibre)

Up to 900+ Mbps

Technology: Light signals through glass/plastic cables

Availability: 87% of NZ addresses

✅ Advantages

  • • Fastest speeds
  • • Most reliable
  • • Low latency

❌ Disadvantages

  • • Limited availability in some areas
  • • Higher cost

ADSL

Up to 24 Mbps

Technology: Digital signals over copper phone lines

Availability: Most areas, being replaced

✅ Advantages

  • • Widely available
  • • Uses existing phone lines

❌ Disadvantages

  • • Slower speeds
  • • Speed depends on distance
  • • Being phased out

VDSL

Up to 100 Mbps

Technology: Enhanced digital signals over copper

Availability: Urban areas mainly

✅ Advantages

  • • Faster than ADSL
  • • Uses existing infrastructure

❌ Disadvantages

  • • Speed varies by distance
  • • Being superseded by fiber

Cable

Up to 200 Mbps

Technology: Data over coaxial TV cables

Availability: Very limited in NZ

✅ Advantages

  • • Good speeds
  • • Shared with TV services

❌ Disadvantages

  • • Limited availability in NZ
  • • Speeds can vary

5G/4G Home

50-300+ Mbps

Technology: Mobile network signals to home router

Availability: Growing coverage

✅ Advantages

  • • Quick installation
  • • Good for rural areas

❌ Disadvantages

  • • Data limits
  • • Weather dependent
  • • Higher latency

What Broadband Speed Do You Need?

Light Usage (25-50 Mbps)

  • • 1-2 people
  • • Web browsing, email
  • • SD video streaming
  • • Basic video calls

Standard (100-300 Mbps)

POPULAR
  • • 3-5 people
  • • HD/4K streaming
  • • Online gaming
  • • Video conferencing

Heavy Usage (300+ Mbps)

  • • 5+ people
  • • Multiple 4K streams
  • • Content creation
  • • Smart home devices

Broadband FAQ

What is broadband internet?

Broadband is high-speed internet that provides fast, always-on connectivity to your home or business. Unlike dial-up, broadband doesn't tie up your phone line and offers speeds from 25 Mbps to over 900 Mbps for downloading and uploading data.

What's the difference between broadband and WiFi?

Broadband is your internet connection from an ISP to your home. WiFi is the wireless technology that distributes that broadband connection to your devices. You need broadband first, then WiFi to share it wirelessly.

What's the difference between broadband and fiber?

Fiber (or fibre) is a type of broadband that uses fiber optic cables for ultra-fast speeds. Broadband is the general term for high-speed internet, while fiber is the premium broadband technology offering the fastest speeds.

What broadband speed do I need?

Basic users need 25-50 Mbps, families with streaming need 100-300 Mbps, and heavy users or large households should consider 300+ Mbps. The right speed depends on how many people use the internet and what they do online.

Is broadband always unlimited in New Zealand?

Yes, all major broadband providers in New Zealand offer unlimited data as standard. Data caps on home broadband are extremely rare, though some mobile broadband plans may have limits.

How does broadband work?

Broadband works by transmitting digital data over various physical mediums - fiber optic cables use light, ADSL uses copper phone lines, and 5G uses radio waves. The data is converted by a modem/router for your devices to use.

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