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Types of Mobile Network Operators in Aotearoa

There are two types of mobile network companies in Aotearoa. The larger companies are Mobile Network Operators (MNO) like 2degrees, One NZ and Spark NZ, who build and maintain the mobile networks. It is these companies who manage the mobile communications infrastructure and who are each retiring their 3G network.

There other type of mobile companies are called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO). These companies provide their own mobile plans to consumers but typically pay to use the underlying mobile network infrastructure of one of the three major mobile network operators (2degrees, One NZ or Spark NZ). As these MVNOs depend on the major telcos for their 3G and 4G and 5G communications, the 3G shutdown impacts them too.

The Commerce Commission noted in its 2023 Telecommunications Monitoring Report that Spark, One NZ and 2degrees together have 98.4% of the mobile market (this includes Slingshot and Skinny). The remaining nine MVNOs have 1.6% of the market. In the 2024 financial year, 2degrees made $555m in revenue from mobile, One NZ reported $779m in mobile revenue, and Spark NZ mobile revenue surpassed $1b for the first time.

MVNOs on the 2degrees mobile network:

MVNOs on the One NZ mobile network:

MVNOs on the Spark NZ mobile network:

This page is based on information from: Martin Kovacs. 09/01/2023. “Mobile Market Breakdown: Which Mobile Network Does Your Provider Use?”. See also the Commerce Commission 2023 Telecommunications Monitoring Report p. 155, which states that there are nine MVNOs (as Slingshot and Skinny are owned my MNOs).

Page Last Updated February 5, 2025.