Fixed wireless access (FWA) lines in New Zealand are set to increase at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% between 2026 and 2031, driven primarily by 5G-led FWA services, continued migration away from legacy copper services, and demand for lower-cost, faster-to-deploy connectivity outside fiber-dense areas, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s New Zealand Fixed Communications Forecast (Q3-2026) reveals that the share of FWA access lines in total fixed broadband access lines will reach about 21% by 2031, positioning the technology as a complementary access option alongside New Zealand’s extensive fiber footprint. FWA is expected to gain share particularly in rural and remote locations, as well as in urban areas where fiber infrastructure deployment can be expensive and time-consuming.

Sarwat Zeeshan, Telecom Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “FWA is becoming an increasingly important part of New Zealand’s broadband mix. Increasing demand for high-speed internet in rural and underserved areas, continued 4G coverage, expanding 5G availability, and improving wireless-network capacity, which enables telcos to offer more reliable broadband to homes and businesses, will also favor growth. FWA will be especially relevant for rural households, small and medium-sized enterprises, and customers requiring flexible or rapidly activated connectivity.

The government’s move to deregulate and progressively retire the legacy copper network (targeted by 2030-end) will further accelerate the shift towards alternative broadband technologies like FWA lines and satellite-based broadband. As copper usage continues to decline and fiber expansion remains selective, FWA is well positioned to pocket a larger share of the broadband market with its lower deployment costs, faster rollouts, and ability to extend high-speed connectivity to hard-to-reach areas, supporting New Zealand’s broader digital inclusion goals.

Zeeshan concludes: “New Zealand’s expanding FWA market creates meaningful growth opportunities for telcos in enabling faster, lower-cost broadband expansion beyond fiber-heavy urban footprints. With improving 4G/5G network performance and rising demand for flexible connectivity, operators can target rural households, SMEs, and temporary users with scalable wireless home/business broadband plans.”