ADSL Broadband
ADSL Broadband is fast, reliable, and a common type of broadband connection in New Zealand.
ADSL can be bundled with a home phone for voice-calling, or it can be used on it's own (which is often called 'Naked').
ADSL stands for "Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line". The 'asymmetric' part of the definition means that download speeds and upload speeds are not the same. For ADSL, that means download speeds are faster than upload speeds.
- ADSL uses the Chorus legacy copper network (previously Telecom).
- ADSL is ideal for basic activities, like web browsing, email and online banking.
- ADSL is available across many parts of New Zealand.
ADSL was once the most common type of broadband found in New Zealand homes, but that is no longer true. Fibre broadband has become the most common type of broadband connection available in New Zealand.
About ADSL speeds
ADSL is slower than both VDSL and Fibre broadband. Within the Chorus copper network, there are two varieties of ADSL, these are ADSL and ADSL2+. The big difference between the two is speed.
See our ADSL speed summary, on our Broadband plans page.
If you can't get VDSL at your location, for faster speeds, and if you won't be able to get Fibre broadband for some time, you could consider Wireless Broadband as a fast alternative.
If you have ADSL and Fibre is coming to your area soon, see what's involved to upgrade to Fibre.
Fibre will be introduced to some areas in Kerikeri, Atawhai, and Brighton soon (from June to August, 2024).
Find the best package for me
Additional information
Before you buy
New customers, to sign up you'll need:
- A valid New Zealand driver's licence OR
- A copy of your New Zealand passport* OR
- A copy of your international passport, plus a copy of your residency visa, which must be valid for the duration of the plan's term.*
- You must be over 18 years of age to sign up.
*Can be supplied in PDF, JPEG, GIF, JPG or PNG format.
You may also need the following:
- Current account details or a bill from our current provider if you’re transferring your service from another provider.
- SKY account details or recent SKY bill, if you want to transfer your SKY services to One NZ.
- If you're just switching your phone line over to One NZ and have broadband with another provider, your broadband may be disconnected when your phone line is moved to us. If you're signing up to one of our naked broadband plans and you have an existing phone line that you use for your home phone calling connected with another provider, this will be disconnected.
- Your previous address, if you’ve only lived at your current address for less than a year.
- Consent from your landlord, if you’re renting and want Ultra Fast Broadband, and your address is eligible.
- Your credit card details, if you want to set up your account to be paid by credit card each month.
Already a One NZ fixed line and broadband customer?
You can add to or change your services in My One NZ - or call us on 0800 438 448.
Broadband and installation
About broadband.
- Your broadband speed will vary depending on a number of factors, including NZ and overseas networks, your modem and computer technology, including WiFi capability, internal home wiring, other environmental factors, and how many other people are using it at the time. Uploads and downloads count towards your monthly allowance.
- If you’re switching to One NZ, your existing provider may charge you an early termination fee.
- If you have a security alarm, there is a possibility the alarm may not work with your connection type.
- A One NZ modem and standard broadband connection offer is available if you’re new to One NZ and sign up to an eligible plan for 12 or 24 months. (Modem postage and handling fee applies).
- Broadband is not available everywhere, and only particular types of broadband services may be available in some areas.
- We cannot guarantee the availability of broadband services to you until the services are connected.
- Your data allowance: When you reach the end of your plan’s data allowance, you will be charged the excess rate of $2 per gigabyte, or part thereof. Subject to change during the fixed term of your contract.
Broadband speeds.
For our current average download and upload speeds, please refer to our Broadband Speed Summary on our Internet plans page.
Early termination fee and notice period.
We made changes to our early termination charges from 26 February 2020.
- An Early Termination Fee will apply if you choose to disconnect or downgrade to a lower value broadband plan before the fixed term's end date.
- You need to let us know 30 days in advance if you wish to cancel any service.
- If you joined One NZ from this date, on one of our current in market plans, a graduated early termination fee will apply:
- $199 early termination fee applies to a 12-month term and will reduce by $50 every three months.
- $299 early termination fee applies to a 24-month term and will reduce by $40 every three months.
Graduated 12 Month term ETC | ||||||||||||
ETC | $199 | $199 | $199 | $149 | $149 | $149 | $99 | $99 | $99 | $49 | $49 | $49 |
Months Remaining | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Graduated 24 Month term ETC | ||||||||||||
ETC | $299 | $299 | $299 | $259 | $259 | $259 | $219 | $219 | $219 | $179 | $179 | $179 |
Months Remaining | 24 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 |
ETC | $139 | $139 | $139 | $99 | $99 | $99 | $59 | $59 | $59 | $19 | $19 | $19 |
Months Remaining | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
- If you are an existing customer on one of our older plans and your One NZ bill references One NZ B, One NZ C or REF:TCL, an early termination fee of $199 applies to a 12 month term and $299 early termination applies to a 24 months term.
Set up fees.
ADSL
For 12 and 24 month term:
- Free modem and standard broadband connection if you're new to One NZ and sign up to an eligible plan for 12 or 24 months. (14.95 modem postage and handling fee applies).
For open term:
- ADSL standard broadband connection ($101.20).
- A One NZ modem may be purchased for $149 ($14.95 postage and handling charge applies) or you can choose to bring your own ADSL2+ capable modem.
Additional charges may apply for non-standard ADSL connections.
ADSL installation
In most cases it's very easy to install an ADSL connection. Simply follow the installation instructions we've included with your modem on your connection date, and you're done. However, in some instances, you may require a Connection and Wiring option, which will need a visit from a technician if:
- You have more than 5 phone lines in use
- You have a monitored home alarm
- You use the interactive facilities on SKY Digital
- You use a PABX phone system
Please note: Even if none of these instances apply to you there is a chance that you may be required to have Connection and Wiring done.
Home phone
Set up fees
- A $52.10 phone connection fee applies if you’re connecting a copper phone line that has previously been working, but isn’t active. For a brand new connection using a copper phone line, a $52.10 installation fee and additional installation charges apply (price on application).
Additional charges
- Phone features are an additional monthly charge to your home phone monthly fee.
- The monthly fee for phone Add-Ons is charged in advance. If you cancel any of these services part way through the month you will still be billed to the end of the month.
- There is a minimum charge of one minute for all fixed line calls. After that, your call will be rounded up and charged by the minute.
- Audio conferencing and calls to destinations not included in your calling plan will also be charged at the per minute rates of your calling plan.
- If you dial 059 or 0161 to access Telecom's network before making a call from your One NZ home phone you'll be charged at Telecom's retail rates.
- 018 and 0900 and other special numbers are also not included in your calling plan and will be charged in addition to your calling plan.
- If you dial an area code before a local call, those calls will then be charged at national call rates.
ADSL
- Calls to national landlines are $0.26 per minute, capped at $2.50 for up to two hours. Calls in excess of the two hour per call cap will be charged at $0.26 per minute.
- Calls to national mobiles are $0.39 per minute.
- Residential line to national directory (up to two enquiries per call) $0.64 per call.
- Direct connect from a landline (Push 1 to Direct Connect with an 018 call $0.42 per call.
- International directory assistance calls (up to two enquires per call) $1.93 per call.
- 0900 call costs vary - check with 0900 provider first.
- Inmarsat satellite calls $12.66 per minute*
- Iriduim satellite calls $12.27 per minute*
- Check out the full list of calling rates for all destinations
*Calling rates are subject to change and may vary between satellite prefix numbers.
Add to your plan
ADSL
- Talk plans for an unlimited number of calls to selected destinations for a set monthly cost.
- Phone features like Voicemail, Caller Display or Call waiting for a small additional monthly cost.
FAQs about Broadband
Important: contacting 111 in a power cut
If you can show that you, or someone in your household, are more likely than other consumers to require the 111 emergency service, and have no alternative means to contact 111 at the premises, we will provide you with a means to contact 111 in a power cut, free of charge. For more details on our obligations under the Commerce Commission’s 111 Contact Code, eligibility criteria and how to apply to register as a vulnerable customer, visit one.nz/vulnerability or call us on 0800 438 448 (between 8am-7pm, Monday to Friday). Our website also contains information about how to make a complaint relating to the 111 Contact Code.
What is the difference between ADSL, VDSL, Fibre, HFC and Wireless broadband?
- ADSL stands for 'Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line', and it uses the copper network from Chorus. ADSL is ideal for basic internet activities like web browsing, email and online banking.
- VDSL is faster than ADSL, but it is not as fast as Fibre. VDSL lets you enjoy better HD video streaming and sharper online video chats, when compared to ADSL.
- HFC is faster than both ADSL and VDSL. HFC is One NZ's Hybrid Fibre Coaxial network, that uses world-leading DOCSIS 3.1 technology to deliver high speed data.
- Fibre Broadband is faster than ADSL and faster than VDSL. Fibre broadband delivers your data over fibre optic cables, much faster than other technologies. Fibre is now the most common type of broadband connection.
- Wireless Broadband is delivered over our 4G mobile network or our 5G mobile network. The modem comes with a SIM card pre-installed, making it very easy for you to set up.
These all describe the connection type at your home, while WiFi lets you connect wirelessly to your modem. It's your modem that handles the WiFi signal, or maybe your Mesh units if you have SuperWiFi.
Can I get broadband without a phone?
How do I get Fibre installed? Can I upgrade to Fibre?
During this meeting, they will let you know if there’s any digging involved and confirm if you need your neighbours’ consent before the installation.
Once this is complete, our fibre broadband team will set up the fibre connection outside your house, development or apartment complex.
Then you'll agree to a date for the line to be connected inside your home. You will need to be at home during this step. The installation steps may all happen in one day, or it may take more than one visit depending on what’s required.
How much data do I need?
Your data usage will be affected by two factors: the number of connected devices used in your home and the type of content that will be consumed on them.
If you have multiple devices, you will need higher data to ensure each device has enough, especially if each device is being used to stream audio or video.
Even if you have a small number of devices, but you stream a lot of high-definition video or music, it would be better to pick a broadband plan that has higher data limits.
If you want to get a more detailed breakup of how much data you’ll need per month, you can check out this handy data calculator from Chorus.
Will broadband affect my monitored alarms?
Some alarm models aren't compatible with fibre broadband. Before you even install fibre broadband, check with your alarm supplier or manufacturer, whether you need to upgrade your alarm .
Monitored alarms are, unfortunately, not compatible with our Wireless Broadband.