ADSL

Broadband on a fixed line at its most basic level

Our basic fixed line broadband service, ADSL, allows you to do things like web browsing, online banking, and emailing.

Because it connects a residence to the internet using the legacy copper network and phone lines, ADSL has traditionally been the most commonly available form of broadband in New Zealand. However, with fibre and the faster copper broadband, VDSL, now accessible throughout virtually all of New Zealand, ADSL is becoming less popular.

It does, however, have a place because ADSL provides a dedicated connection from your home to our congestion-free network, ensuring that your internet will not be considerably slowed during peak usage hours such as nights and weekends. If you can’t obtain VDSL or fiber, this is a good alternative.

Find out if you can get fiber and what you can do to connect your home or business to it if you’re not part of the government-sponsored ultra-fast internet deployment.

Generally available in most locations
A dedicated high-speed Internet connection
Excellent for email and web browsing
Streaming of basic video
Ideal for small households

Generally available in most locations
A dedicated high-speed Internet connection
Excellent for email and web browsing
Streaming of basic video
Ideal for small households

Fibre Starter ADSL

From $69/mo

ADSL Speed 20/1 Mbps
Unlimited Data

Get this plan

More information on ADSL

How fast is ADSL?

Basic ADSL and improved ADSL (commonly known as ADSL2+) are the two versions of ADSL. Basic ADSL provides basic broadband connection via our copper lines, with download and upload rates of up to 7.5 Mbps and 1 Mbps, respectively. ADSL 2+ also offers broadband access over a copper line, with download speeds of up to 24 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 1 Mbps.

Due to a variety of factors outside of the Ashnet network, such as the age of devices, wifi performance, modem quality, a broadband provider’s network and capacity, and the distance between your house and the exchange, the speed and performance of an ADSL broadband connection may differ from these potential speeds. In New Zealand, the average ADSL 2+ connection speed is 10 Mbps upload and 0.8 Mbps download.

Distance matters

It makes a difference how distant you are from the nearest cabinet. The speed of copper connections decreases as the distance between them grows. The slower the connection, the further away you are. Within two kilometers of the cabinet, Ashnet may supply ADSL 2+ services over the copper network, and ADSL within six kilometers of the cabinet. Distance has no effect on fibre broadband.

The future of the copper network

As previously stated, ADSL broadband connections rely on the legacy copper network, which has been used to connect our landlines for over a century. Ashnet will retire parts of the copper network in high density locations where fibre is available over the next couple of years as part of the natural evolution of technology and with fibre already available to over 80% of New Zealand. There will be no’switch off date’ for the copper network, as there is for terrestrial television. Instead, it will happen gradually on a street-by-street basis, and only if fiber uptake reaches the required level.

If fiber is accessible in your location, you should consider getting a fiber connection. It has been demonstrated to be the most reliable broadband, costing little more than ADSL, and is usually free to set up.

If you live in a rural region where fiber isn’t yet available or isn’t expected to be anytime soon, don’t worry; we’ll keep the copper network operational so you can continue to use landlines and broadband services.

Look for the best connection for you.

Broadband isn’t created equal. It’s important to grasp the differences between the technologies and connection types offered before deciding on a broadband service.

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* According to the Commerce Commission’s Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) Spring 2021 report, the broadband speeds mentioned are national peak hour average speeds. Because Fibre 300 and Hyperfibre have yet to be evaluated by that report, the results indicate the maximum speeds that our wholesale network can achieve.

* These speed estimates are estimates, and your actual speeds will vary based on a variety of factors such as your internet plan, modem, house wifi configuration, and the capacity of your broadband provider’s network. Read on to learn how to get the greatest home wifi experience and how to optimize your broadband speed.

Find the right connection for you

Not all broadband is created equal. Before you choose a plan with your broadband provider it’s good to understand the difference between the technologies and connection types available.

Features	ADSL
Average download and upload speeds*	Download: 8.8 Upload: 0.7 Mbps
Average lag (latency)	26.9ms
Cost**	From $69 per month
UHD video streaming reliability***	31%
Devices	1-2
Great for	Web browsing Emailing Download music / photos

* The broadband speeds quoted are national peak time average speeds based on the Commerce Commission’s Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) Spring 2021 report. Fibre 300 and Hyperfibre aren’t measured by that report yet, so the values reflect the speeds our wholesale network can deliver.

* These performance measures are indicative and you may experience faster or slower speeds depending on a range of factors, including: your broadband plan, modem, home wifi setup and the capacity of your broadband provider’s network. Read our tips for getting the best home wifi experience and the steps you can take to improve your broadband speed.

** Offers vary between service providers – these indicative prices come from Broadband Compare as at February 2022 and don’t include any other costs (like modems) that your service provider may charge. Please contact a provider to understand the actual cost.

*** The proportion of households able to stream one Ultra High Definition video from Netflix with variable bitrate encoding – Measuring Broadband New Zealand report.