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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.
Bill Bennett - Latest News [Page 2]
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 >>
Spark, One NZ give responders network visibility
Saturday, 20 September 2025, 7:25 pm | Bill Bennett
Next Generation Critical Communications develops network visibility tool. Spark updates leadership, telcos warn 3G holdouts, One NZ wins global sustainability award. More >>
Spark details back-to-core SPK-30 strategy
Saturday, 13 September 2025, 7:52 pm | Bill Bennett
Spark sharpens SPK-30 strategy; 5G boosted by Tū Ātea; new API services with Aduna; Apple unveils slimmer iPhone Air; Oppo partners with All Whites and Ferns; Tuanz board update. More >>
TCF report highlights industry value, cybercrime challenge
Saturday, 6 September 2025, 6:08 pm | Bill Bennett
Fibre dominates as FWB and satellite uptake also surge, AWS launch stumbles, ministers review telecoms regulation, IDC predicts phone sales growth, HMD returns to NZ and Samsung adds Galaxy A models. More >>
Download Weekly: Chorus returns to profit
Saturday, 30 August 2025, 8:12 pm | Bill Bennett
Chorus turns in positive result despite harsh trading conditions. Emergency services will find your phone even when you didn't make the call. One NZ uses satellites to win DOC business. More >>
Spark profit falls as company shifts back to core
Saturday, 23 August 2025, 12:35 pm | Bill Bennett
Spark posts a sharp profit drop and doubles down on core telecoms. The ComCom moves to deregulate rural copper. Tasman Ring project confirms submarine routes. Oppo launches a budget tablet. More >>
Spark sells majority stake in data centre arm
Saturday, 16 August 2025, 2:53 pm | Bill Bennett
Spark sold 75% of its data centre business to Australia’s Pacific Equity Partners for $486m cash plus up to $98m in performance payments. The deal values the unit at $700m and creates a standalone operation, while Spark retains a 25% stake to tap ... More >>
Download Weekly: Amazon's Project Kuiper looms closer
Saturday, 9 August 2025, 3:45 pm | Bill Bennett
Australia’s NBN Co to offer Amazon satellite broadband next year Amazon satellite launch. Australia’s NBN Co plans to wholesale Amazon satellite broadband from the middle of 2026. The state-owned broadband provider says it will use Project Kuiper ... More >>
Gartner’s Khurram Shahzad on satellite broadband
Sunday, 3 August 2025, 12:04 pm | Bill Bennett
Satellite broadband has grown fast since Starlink began NZ operations four years ago. Gartner direct analyst Khurram Shahzad says it will soon break out of its rural niche. More >>
Download Weekly: One plans more MVNOs
Sunday, 3 August 2025, 11:51 am | Bill Bennett
In this edition: One NZ plans branded MVNOs - Chorus extends fibre network - Spark shuffles board More >>
