IDC Telecommunications Report: A Land of Digital Opportunity

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IDC New Zealand has released its annual telecommunications market report for 2017 titled New Zealand Telecommunications: The Streets are Paved with Glass. The report illustrates that with the investment in Ultra-Fast Fibre as well as three 4G mobile networks, New Zealand is fast becoming a land of digital opportunities. Telecommunications retailers are shifting focus from connectivity provider to digital services provider. Innovative new digital products and services have hit the market, such as 2degrees DataClock and Vodafone's My Flex Prepay.

"New Zealand has the second fastest fibre subscription growth rate in the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. Getting ahead of the rest of the world in infrastructure terms removes some of the so-called tyranny of distance for New Zealand,” explains Monica Collier, Research Manager for Telecommunications, IDC New Zealand.

"In digital terms, New Zealand has had the equivalent of a brand-new motorway network rolled out all over the country,” adds Collier. Global digital market places are becoming more prevalent and world class infrastructure means New Zealand is less handicapped by being far away in geographical terms, This creates opportunity for New Zealanders to start and run their business anywhere, even in remote towns. They can have digital market places located where it makes sense for each industry whether on the farm or besides the ski-fields.

Other highlights from the report include:

• The highly competitive retail side of telecommunications has meant the average price for a residential 100/20 Mbps fibre with uncapped data, has fallen from NZD$119.07 per month to NZD$87.78 this year (across 16 tracked retail providers).
• Retailers are offering customers sign-up perks, free months, account credits, streaming video subscriptions, and free TVs and gaming consoles. This is great news for the end user but for the retail telecommunications industry increasing input prices means margins are getting tighter. With around 92 retailers, IDC believes the industry can expect some consolidation over the next 12 months.
• With over 80% of the Ultra-Fast Broadband 1 build complete, Chorus and the Local Fibre Providers are shifting their focus from build to grow. One in three households with access to fibre has connected and the race is on between Chorus and the LFCs and private fibre providers to win connections into business premises.

Collier summarises the opportunity in telecommunications for 2017, “New Zealand has a reputation for being easy to do business with, having an innovative culture and high-quality education. Having this superb digital infrastructure across the country means New Zealand can get ahead of other nations and take a slice of the growing digital marketplace.  We are famous for being clean and green, being strong in agriculture and tourism and having a world champion rugby team. Perhaps we can leverage some of those strengths, use the new infrastructure, and in the future become known for punching above our weight in the global knowledge economy". To punch above their weight, IDC advises telecommunications companies to develop strategies and a deliberate approach to monetising data growth driven by our digital infrastructure.

About IDC Telecommunications Market Analysis and Forecast

IDC's annual telecommunications market report provides a comprehensive overview and reference guide to the NZ telecommunications market. The report includes IDC's five-year forecast of revenue, connections, market share and market size 2016–2021, including analysis of actuals up to 30 June 2017.

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,100 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company.