How Chorus & NZ Internet Works
If you have ever wondered why a Chorus van is parked outside your house when your internet bill comes from a completely different company, you aren’t alone. New Zealand has one of the most unique and efficient internet structures in the world.
Understanding how this "Wholesale Model" works is the secret to finding the best broadband plans in New Zealand and knowing exactly who to call when things go wrong. In this guide, we’ll break down the roles of Chorus, Local Fibre Companies, and your service provider so you can make an informed choice for your home broadband.
Understanding NZ’s Unique Wholesale Model
In many countries, one company owns the cables and sells the internet directly to you. In New Zealand, we do things differently to encourage competition and keep prices fair. We use a Wholesale Model.
🏗️ The Chorus Role (The Wholesaler)
Chorus is New Zealand’s largest telecommunications infrastructure company. Think of them as the "builders and owners" of the road. They own the physical fibre optic cables under the street and the small box (the ONT) inside your home.
However, by law, Chorus is a wholesaler. This means they build and maintain the network but are not allowed to sell internet plans directly to households. Their job is to ensure the "pipes" are working so that other companies can send data through them.
💻 Retail Service Providers (The RSPs)
A Retail Service Provider (RSP) is the company you actually sign up with - your "Internet Provider." They don't own the cables in the street; instead, they "rent" access to the Chorus network.
The RSP is responsible for:
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Providing the data (the actual internet connection).
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Sending you your monthly bill.
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Providing technical support and customer service.
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Supplying your home Wi-Fi router.
🏷️ Why Prices Are So Similar Across Providers
You may have noticed that many fibre plans across New Zealand are priced within a few dollars of each other. This is because every RSP pays a wholesale floor price to Chorus to access the network. Because this base cost is the same for every provider, they compete on other factors like customer service, contract flexibility, or added bonuses like streaming subscriptions. If you are looking for the cheapest broadband deals, the competition often happens at the retail level through these incentives.
It’s Not Just Chorus: Meet the LFCs
While Chorus covers most of New Zealand, they aren't the only ones building the network. Depending on where you live, your local "roads" might be owned by a Local Fibre Company (LFC).
📍 The Regional Breakdown
If you live in specific parts of the country, your infrastructure provider will be one of the following:
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Enable: Covers the greater Christchurch area and parts of Canterbury.
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Northpower Fibre: Covers the Whangārei and Kaipara districts.
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Tuatahi First Fibre (formerly Ultrafast Fibre): Covers the central North Island, including Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, and Wanganui.
🛠️ Why the LFC Matters to Your Connection
For the average user, it doesn't matter much whether your line is owned by Chorus or an LFC - the technology is the same. However, knowing your LFC is helpful if you are moving house or need to check for regional maintenance outages. The "Wholesale Model" still applies: you still buy your plan from an RSP, regardless of which company owns the cables.
How Fibre Actually Gets to Your Home
The reason New Zealand has world-class internet speeds today is thanks to the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) initiative. This was a government-backed program designed to replace old, slow copper phone lines with modern fibre optics.
🔌 The Infrastructure: Street to ONT
Fibre works by sending pulses of light through glass strands. Here is the path it takes to get to your devices:
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The Street: Fibre cables run underground or via utility poles.
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The ETP (External Termination Point): This is a small box usually attached to the outside of your house where the street cable finishes.
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The ONT (Optical Network Terminal): This is the small white box inside your house (usually on the wall). It converts the light signals into electrical signals your router can understand.
For a detailed look at the setup process, you can read our fibre installation guide.
Important Note: The ONT is part of the network infrastructure. It belongs to Chorus (or your LFC) and must stay with the house when you move.
Why This Model is Better for You
The New Zealand model was designed with the consumer in mind. Because the infrastructure is "Open Access," it creates a level playing field for every internet provider.
⚡ Ease of Switching Providers
In the old days of copper, switching providers could take weeks and required a technician to visit. With the current fibre model, switching internet providers is often as simple as a "software flick." Since the ONT is already in your house, your new provider can usually take over the connection remotely in a matter of hours.
📶 Service Consistency
Because every provider in your area is using the exact same physical fibre line, the raw speed delivered to your house is very consistent. This means you don't have to worry about one provider having "better" cables than another. Instead, you can focus on who offers the best value and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why can't I buy internet directly from Chorus?
A: New Zealand regulations prevent Chorus from selling directly to consumers. This ensures they focus on building a great network while retail providers compete to give you the best service and price.
Q: Who do I call if my internet is down?
A: You should always call your RSP (Internet Provider) first. They have the tools to check if the issue is with your router, your account, or the Chorus network. If the physical line is broken, the RSP will coordinate with Chorus to send a technician. You can also check for a general internet outage in your area via your provider's website.
Q: Is the fibre box (ONT) mine or does it belong to the house?
A: The ONT belongs to the network provider (Chorus or an LFC). It is a permanent fixture of the property, similar to a power meter.
Conclusion: Making the Best Choice for Your Home
Because the "pipes" under the street are identical for everyone, your choice of internet provider should come down to price, customer service, and the specific features of their plans.
If you are ready to see which providers are available at your address and want to compare broadband deals today, use the comparison tools at Broadband.co.nz to find your perfect match.
Bookmark this page for information on our guide to How Chorus & NZ Internet Works.
Disclaimer: Pricing and offers subject to change. Always confirm current rates and terms with providers before signing up. Rankings based on publicly available data and may not reflect individual experiences.