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Vodafone's copper landline network to be axed next year
Phone

Vodafone's copper landline network to be axed next year

10,000 customers are still using its copper phone network, but they will need to move to voice over fibre, wireless, UltraFast HFC, or copper broadband (VoIP).

By Staff Writer • 2 min read • Tue, 5th Oct 2021
Spark announces next phase of landline voice calling upgrade, ends voice-over-copper services
Copper Network

Spark announces next phase of landline voice calling upgrade, ends voice-over-copper services

Spark to upgrade landline voice calling in Devonport, Auckland and Miramar, Wellington. Customers can choose voice over wireless or voice over fibre.

By Shannon Williams • 5 min read • Thu, 16th Jul 2020
ComCom seeks feedback on Chorus withdrawal from copper and broadband services
Unified Communications

ComCom seeks feedback on Chorus withdrawal from copper and broadband services

New Zealand's Commerce Commission is seeking feedback on a code designed to protect consumers as Chorus moves them from copper to fibre networks.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 20th May 2020
Fixed broadband prices most expensive in New Zealand, as fibre overtakes copper
Unified Communications

Fixed broadband prices most expensive in New Zealand, as fibre overtakes copper

Fibre has surpassed copper as Kiwi households' primary internet access, according to a report by the Commerce Commission.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Fri, 13th Mar 2020
ComCom says its time to deregulate copper voice services
Commerce Commission

ComCom says its time to deregulate copper voice services

The Commerce Commission has cited the range of alternative voice offerings and shrinking consumer numbers as reasons to let Spark take the reigns.

By Ben Moore • 2 min read • Mon, 22nd Jul 2019
Chorus says regulator understates network pricing costs such as trenching
Chorus

Chorus says regulator understates network pricing costs such as trenching

Chorus has made a further submission to the Commerce Commission ahead of the final determination on pricing of its copper network.

By Pattrick Smellie • 2 min read • Tue, 18th Aug 2015
Spark to ComCom - why are Kiwis paying more for internet?
Unified Communications

Spark to ComCom - why are Kiwis paying more for internet?

As 50,000 Kiwis demand lower internet costs, the Commerce Commission's new draft on wholesale line charges will reveal whether consumer pleas are heard.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Wed, 1st Jul 2015

Global Stories

Copper Network stories

Commerce Commission finalises consumer protections for withdrawal of copper phone and broadband services
Chorus

Commerce Commission finalises consumer protections for withdrawal of copper phone and broadband services

The code sets out the requirements Chorus must meet before it can stop providing wholesale copper phone and broadband services, including ADSL and VDSL.

By Shannon Williams • 3 min read • Thu, 10th Dec 2020
Chorus CEO to resign after successful company transformation
Unified Communications

Chorus CEO to resign after successful company transformation

Chorus CEO Kate McKenzie to resign at year's end after tripling fibre connection volumes and leading the company to a USD $53 million profit.

By Sara Barker • 5 min read • Mon, 26th Aug 2019
NBN promises faster copper speeds with G.fast
Unified Communications

NBN promises faster copper speeds with G.fast

NBN to introduce G.fast, enabling ultra-high internet speeds over existing copper lines, promising up to 1Gbps for FTTB and FTTC networks in 2018.

By Patrick Martlew • 2 min read • Wed, 25th Oct 2017
New telco laws for advanced Internet: Goodie bag or mixed bag?
Unified Communications

New telco laws for advanced Internet: Goodie bag or mixed bag?

The government has announced a reform of the telco act that will affect Internet around the country - but is it good news for consumers?.

By Ashton Young • 3 min read • Fri, 2nd Jun 2017
Spark partners with Enable for 'street in a week' in Christchurch
Fibre

Spark partners with Enable for 'street in a week' in Christchurch

Spark and Enable's 'street in a week' arrives in Christchurch, promising day-long fibre installs to hasten broadband upgrades.

By Sam Worthington • 2 min read • Tue, 21st Feb 2017
Intel debuts silicon photonics – the next BIG thing in data centers
Microsoft

Intel debuts silicon photonics – the next BIG thing in data centers

Intel has announced that it has developed silicon photonics technology which will replace data center copper wires.

By Ashton Young • 2 min read • Thu, 18th Aug 2016
No dial tone: ComCom holds firm on proposed copper pricing
Unified Communications

No dial tone: ComCom holds firm on proposed copper pricing

The Commerce Commission offers up slightly reduced proposed wholesale charges to access the Chorus line - and proposes removing backdating.

By Heather Wright • 5 min read • Thu, 2nd Jul 2015

Stories from Other Regions

Copper Network stories

BT says over 3 million UK homes move to digital landlines
Unified Communications

BT says over 3 million UK homes move to digital landlines

More than 3m UK homes have switched to digital landlines as BT warns those ignoring the rollout risk disruption before analogue ends in 2027.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 4 min read • Sat, 21st Mar 2026
NBN hits 25 GWh energy goal early with fibre upgrades
Unified Communications

NBN hits 25 GWh energy goal early with fibre upgrades

NBN cuts network energy use by 25 GWh two years early as fibre upgrades, wireless tweaks and cable switch-offs drive efficiency gains.

By Sean Mitchell • 5 min read • Mon, 12th Jan 2026
Telecoms face rising AI trust, cyber & talent shortage risks
Digital Transformation

Telecoms face rising AI trust, cyber & talent shortage risks

Telecom firms face rising risks in AI trust, cybersecurity, talent shortages and geopolitical shifts, challenging their digital transformation and customer confidence.

By Melvin Hipolito • 4 min read • Fri, 21st Nov 2025