Uptake of fixed wireless broadband connections is set to accelerate in New Zealand and is nearing a pivotal inflection point, according to a report by analyst firm GlobalData.
The company’s latest New Zealand Fixed Communications Forecast revealed that fixed wireless access (FWA) connections were expected to account for 27 per cent of all fixed broadband connections by 2030 and would become a key pillar of the national broadband mix alongside fibre.
According to the report, FWA connections were projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7 per cent from 2025 to 2030 driven by the rise in 5G adoption and the retreat of copper networks.
This shift marked a pivotal inflection point for nationwide connectivity, and signalled expanding opportunities for cost-efficient deployments, wider rural reach, and a more resilient fixed broadband ecosystem shaped by wireless-led growth, said GlobalData telecom analyst Neha Mishra.
“FWA will gain popularity as a broadband technology of choice for underserved rural areas and even in urban areas where deploying fibre infrastructure remains expensive and time-consuming,” she said.
“The widespread availability of 4G networks and the ongoing expansion of 5G networks, which enable faster and more reliable wireless broadband to homes and businesses will also favour growth.”
This created meaningful growth opportunities for telcos to enable faster, lower-cost broadband expansion beyond fibre-heavy urban footprints, Mishra added.
“With improving 4G and 5G network performance and rising demand for flexible connectivity, operators can target rural households, SMEs, and temporary users with scalable wireless home or business broadband plans,” she said.