24 / 10 / 02
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As coverage can vary between devices and locations, I won’t specifically comment on which network provides the best coverage. Personally, I use two different networks on a daily basis (One NZ and Spark, both via MVNOs) and have no issues with either. With some MVNOs shifting toward speed-based plans rather than traditional data caps, your experience can differ based not only on the network you use but also on the specific plan you’re subscribed to.
We’re fortunate in New Zealand that MVNOs have the same access to networks as MNOs, which isn’t always the case in other countries, such as Australia .
For more detailed analyses, I recommend checking out the reports by Canstar Blue and OpenSignal .
Much to the tech community’s frustration , despite launching eSIM support in 2022, 2degrees (as of 09/24) has yet to launch eSIM support for Apple Watches, while both Spark and One NZ have seperate offers available allowing the sharing of your plan and number between your phone and apple watch.
All three major carriers have supported eSIM for a number of years now - However Spark, as part of the launch of iOS 18, now also supports eSIM quick transfer, as well as the ability to switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM directly on the device, without needing to visit a physical store.
2degrees has supported this for a few years now, whereas One NZ still requires a visit to a physical store to swap from a physical SIM to eSIM.
It is worth noting that while the main MNOs support eSIM and smart watch connectivity, not all of their MVNOs do. At the time of writing, no MVNOs in New Zealand support smart watches, and only a handful support eSIM.
| Network | eSIM (Mobile/Tablets) | eSIM Quick Transfer | Android Smart Watch | Apple Smart Watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | âś… | âś… | âś… | âś… |
| 2degrees | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| One NZ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Wi-Fi calling support has been available for several years in New Zealand. 2degrees was the first to launch in 2018, followed by One NZ (formerly Vodafone) in 2021, and Spark joined the party in 2022 .
While all carriers now support VoWiFi and SMSoIP, Spark is the only carrier that has yet to support Wi-Fi calling while overseas, instead requiring customers to purchase roaming packs to be able to use the service. (Although receiving SMS while overseas continues to be free across all three providers, as is common worldwide).
| Network | WiFi Calling (VoWiFi) | SMS Over WiFi (SMSoIP) | WiFi Calling while Overseas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spark | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 2degrees | âś… | âś… | âś… |
| One NZ | âś… | âś… | âś… |
With the widespread use of messaging services like iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger, and many others, RCS doesn’t have significant demand in New Zealand compared to other countries. While Android technically “supports” RCS, in most cases, it is routed through Jibe (Google’s RCS platform) rather than through a carrier-owned RCS platform.
Although iOS 18 introduced support for RCS on Apple devices, no carrier in New Zealand has yet offered the service. As mentioned above, with the popularity of third-party messaging platforms, it seems unlikely that launching RCS would be a high priority for carriers in New Zealand. Most group chats and feature-rich conversations tend to occur on third-party apps rather than via SMS.
| Network | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Spark | ✅ | ❌ |
| 2degrees | ✅ | ❌ |
| One NZ | ✅ | ❌ |
The table below only includes MVNOs whose services are available to the public. It doesn’t include corporate or wholesale providers such as Digital Island.
| Network | MVNOs |
|---|---|
| Spark | Skinny, Mercury, Devoli (Including Full Flavour) |
| 2degrees | Warehouse Mobile, Nova Energy, 2talk, Slingshot, Orcon |
| One NZ | Primo, Rocket Mobile, Mighty Mobile, Kogan Mobile, Contact Mobile, Netspeed |
Over the past 6 to 12 months, the mobile product space has become significantly more competitive, with MVNOs launching new products and offers on what seems like a monthly basis.
In the MNO space, the three main carriers have kept their offers and plans relatively similar across the board with MVNO’s becoming a lot more competitive.
2degrees offers the advantage of Data Sharing, allowing you to share your data with other users for $5 per line per month and Spark includes the benefit of discounted or free Spotify Premium as part of their plans.
In the MVNO space, Kogan has made a name for itself over the past few years with its 365-day prepaid plans and annual buy-one-get-one-free offers. Rocket has drawn attention with its speed-based approach (similar to Mighty Mobile), and finally, Contact seems to be leading the race for group plan offers, allowing additional services to be added for $25 a month with separate billing accounts.
Another thing to keep in mind is that some MVNOs are postpaid services, while others, such as Mighty Mobile, are prepaid offerings. The benefit of a prepaid option is that it gives you more control over your spending, whereas postpaid services may offer limited control depending on your MNO.
As of this writing, there are no options for purchasing a device on interest-free payments while being on an MVNO provider. If you want to purchase a device and pay it off, you’ll need to go with one of the big three.
Overall, each carrier and their MVNOs have different options that cater to a variety of needs, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution.
If you need to purchase a device with interest-free payments or rely heavily on a smartwatch, your best option is to sign up with one of the MNOs (though 2degrees as of writing doesn’t support Apple Watches).
For high data users or those wanting unlimited plans with no restrictions, pricing is relatively similar across both MNOs and MVNOs. Personally I would suggest shopping around for deals or offers, but also keeping in mind coverage for the various networks at your property (especially if you are rural) although may be alleviated if you have a WiFi Calling capable device and sufficient WiFi at home.
For low users or those wanting a budget plan, prepaid plans (like Kogan’s 365-day plans) and MVNOs offering rollover data are ideal giving you much greater control over spending. If you don’t need a new device or plan to use features like a smartwatch, an MVNO could save you money without compromising quality.
Ultimately, your decision should be guided by what’s most important to you - It’s worth comparing your options annually, as both MNOs and MVNOs frequently update their offers and we are lucky enough in New Zealand it is an easy process to switch between providers.