To ensure New Zealanders are better-connected wherever they spend the summer holidays, One NZ has completed 258 mobile upgrades in 2025 across Aotearoa, delivering faster, more stable connections and continuing our mission to keep our customers connected in more places than any other network provider with our “Best in Test” mobile network.

With summer on the horizon, One NZ is also boosting network capacity with temporary mobile cell sites on wheels (COWs) at popular destinations and major summer hotspots, as Kiwis prepare to decamp to beach or holiday towns to spend time with whānau and friends.

Last summer, One NZ saw around 30% uplift in mobile data usage, with spikes of over 50% during the Christmas and New Year’s Eve peaks. Expecting similar demand this year, One NZ has continued to invest more than $100 million into mobile network improvements over the past year.

Ian Sutton, Head of Network Services, says: “While everyone is out celebrating, our dedicated teams are rostered on to monitor the network 24/7 to ensure our customers are better-connected. This summer will be the second year that One NZ is the only mobile network provider in New Zealand to offer satellite-to-mobile services via our partnership with Starlink, which offers coverage right across Aotearoa – as long as you can see the sky.

“Our annual summer readiness includes ramping up battery replacements where needed, squeezing in more mobile upgrades before the break, and adding extra operational health checks for faster issue identification and resolution.”

For those heading beyond traditional mobile coverage, One NZ Satellite TXT allows eligible customers to send text messages — and now MMS like photos, videos, and voice notes* — via SpaceX from anywhere in New Zealand with a clear view of the sky. It’s a vital safety net for those who love to get out and explore during summer.

In November alone, One NZ completed work at 31 mobile sites across the motu — including 26 5G expansions — spanning Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Canterbury, and more.

Part of the summer preparations include the impending 3G shutdown, and every One NZ mobile site now is equipped with 4G technology, including a large portion with 5G. In 2025, this included upgrading 111 sites with the latest mobile technology, 5G. For more information about the retirement of legacy 3G technology, please visit: https://one.nz/3g-shutdown/

Where the November upgrades are located:

• Northland: Port Whangārei.
• Auckland: Glenbrook, Albany Mega Centre, Church Street East, Milford Central, Rosedale South, Twin Trees Bombay Hub, and Clevedon.
• Waikato: Tirau, Tamihana, Pukekohe Outer, Bombay South, Morrinsville, Pokeno Rural, Whangamata Town South, and Opito Bay.
• Bay of Plenty: Whakarewarewa, and Port Tauranga.
• Taranaki: Stratford.
• Gisborne: RCG site at Waikura Valley.
• Wellington: Willeston, Featherston Street, and Normandale.
• Marlborough: Picton.
• Canterbury: Springston, Weedons, McLeans Island, and Tuam Street.
• Otago: Arrowtown Basin.
• Southland: Gore.

How to get involved in building a better-connected Aotearoa:

• Tell us where coverage matters, using One Pin to report spots where calls drop or speeds lag — it helps prioritise upgrades: https://onepin.one.nz/
• Check coverage before you travel and keep devices up to date to get the best experience. Visit: https://one.nz/network/coverage/

* TXT/MMS in minutes on eligible phones and plans. Paid Add-On may apply. Terms, fair use, standard MMS charges and capacity control applies https://one.nz/satellite/