Bill Bennett

Freelance journalist.

Auckland-based Bill Bennett writes technology and business stories that are directly relevant to New Zealand readers.

His emphasis is on telecommunications, but he also covers other aspects of technology and business. You can find his features in the New Zealand Herald and hear him regularly on RNZ Nine to Noon and the NZ Tech Podcast.

Bennett's The Download Weekly newsletter is published every Friday. You can sign up for it here. If you want to support his work, you can make a donation to his PressPatron account.

Contact Bill Bennett

Website - billbennett.co.nz
Linkedin
Email - bill@billbennett.co.nz
Mobile - 0275082740

Bill Bennett - Latest News [Page 2]

Download weekly: 3g shutdown begins in Dunedin

Saturday, 24 January 2026, 11:51 am | Bill Bennett

New Zealand's 3G network shutdown gets underway in Dunedin. Despite years of competition, the mobile market is remarkably stable. More >>

Comcom concerns over telecom disputes scheme

Saturday, 17 January 2026, 1:16 pm | Bill Bennett

In this week's newsletter: Commerce Commission review of Dispute Resolution Scheme calls for changes. MethaneSAT contradictions. Southern Cross talks Tasman cable plans. More >>

Tech and the state: An entanglement

Sunday, 21 December 2025, 6:34 pm | Bill Bennett

As 2025 closes, technology companies have become strategic assets in great power competition. From AI investment to satellite networks, tech policy is now foreign policy and New Zealand's dependencies are deepening. More >>

Wholesale telcos oppose mobile termination deregulation

Tuesday, 16 December 2025, 12:00 pm | Bill Bennett

Small telcos are uneasy about plans to deregulate mobile termination rates. Winners at the NZ Compare awards. NCSC gets in touch over malware. New Zealand partners with Korea for next generation quantum communications. More >>

Commerce commission hits One NZ with $1.1 million fine

Tuesday, 9 December 2025, 12:29 pm | Bill Bennett

One NZ hit with $1.1m fine over 111 access failures - Emergency comms network widens - AI tools cut network analysis time by 80% - Tasman Ring cable may add Tasmanian landing. More >>

Download Weekly: Network upgrades and satellite moves

Tuesday, 2 December 2025, 1:16 pm | Bill Bennett

One NZ mobile network upgrades, a widening gap between how businesses and customers see online engagement, Amazon’s enterprise satellite plans, AST’s manufacturing boost and forecasts showing Apple set to overtake Samsung. More >>

Private 5g, satellite resilience and final TDL

Sunday, 23 November 2025, 1:20 pm | Bill Bennett

CentrePort’s new private 5G network, telcos turn to satellites for resilience, the final TDL allocation. More >>

2degrees reveals sovereign satellite strategy

Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 10:37 am | Bill Bennett

A partnership between 2degrees and AST SpaceMobile offers a distinct take on mobile to satellite. Chorus wants government help fixing digital divide. Another data record breaks. More >>

Download Weekly - One NZ moves HQ back to town

Sunday, 9 November 2025, 2:32 pm | Bill Bennett

One NZ opens Wynyard Quarter HQ, Commerce Commission recommends dropping mobile termination rate regulation, mixed views on tower co-location deregulation, new wireless jamming rules clarified, Kordia sells managed IT unit to Fusion5. More >>

City Rail Link goes full 4G and 5

Sunday, 2 November 2025, 1:36 pm | Bill Bennett

Auckland’s City Rail Link goes underground with full 4G and 5G coverage, Spark tops Opensignal for coverage, TCF updates broadband codes, One NZ satellite texting surges after wild weather. More >>

Telecommunications levy shows stable market with emerging players

Wednesday, 29 October 2025, 12:24 pm | Bill Bennett

The Commerce Commission’s draft 2024–25 Telecommunications Development Levy reveals a largely unchanged industry structure as Spark remains the top contributor, SpaceX gains share, new names enter the list. More >>

Oura ring 4 review: impressive health tech, but not for everyone

Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 10:56 am | Bill Bennett

Tiny, powerful and pricey—the Oura Ring 4 tracks sleep, fitness and stress without a bulky watch. But skin reaction can be a real risk for some users. More >>

Government eyes Chorus debt sale, ending its UFB role

Tuesday, 21 October 2025, 10:52 am | Bill Bennett

The government plans to sell its Chorus debt and equity holdings, drawing a line under its role in the UFB project. Also in this issue: Eon Fibre launches DC Direct, ComCom praises clearer mobile maps and TP-Link demonstrates early WiFi 8 technology. More >>

Consumer NZ: Mobile plans are harder to understand

Sunday, 12 October 2025, 1:22 pm | Bill Bennett

Consumer NZ says Spark and 2degrees have reduced mobile billing transparency, making it harder for customers to compare plans. The Commerce Commission warns it may issue new guidelines if the telcos don’t improve. More >>

Sabotage and theft continue to plague cell towers

Saturday, 4 October 2025, 6:25 pm | Bill Bennett

Recent sabotage and theft at New Zealand cell towers highlight risks to rural connectivity. One NZ adds eight new sites and TCF calls for a rethink of the telecommunications development levy. More >>

2degrees edges toward profit as revenue and market share rise

Monday, 29 September 2025, 12:52 pm | Bill Bennett

2degrees shows revenue and market share growth despite loss. Spark rolls out MVNO-as-a-service. Southern Cross advances its Tasman Express cable project. More >>

Review: Oppo Pad SE Matte Display Edition

Saturday, 20 September 2025, 7:30 pm | Bill Bennett

Value tablet handles modest workloads with style Oppo’s NZ$500 Pad SE (Matte Display Edition) is priced squarely between no-frills bargain basement tablets and Apple’s $700 base model iPad. In its marketing, Oppo describes the Pad SE as “a dependable, ... More >>