Why small internet providers like us are being held back

At WiFiConnect, we work hard to bring internet connectivity to rural and regional parts of New Zealand, places the big players often overlook.

We recently came across a write-up by Mike at The Connectivity Group that really resonated with us. It highlights something we’ve experienced for a while: small, local internet providers like us face some real challenges when it comes to access to the radio spectrum, the “airwaves” we use to deliver wireless internet.

Here’s what’s going on:

Big satellite companies (like Starlink) can use thousands of MHz of radio spectrum in New Zealand, without paying the same spectrum fees that apply to local providers.

Meanwhile, providers like us may get just 40 MHz of licensed spectrum, and we pay significantly more per MHz to access it. On top of that, we’re often relying on shared bands, meaning more congestion and interference, especially in busy or growing rural areas.

We’re not just flipping a switch, we’re physically building our own network infrastructure in the communities we serve. That includes places like the West Coast and Eastern Bay of Plenty, where we’ve installed towers, antennas, and local connections to bring the internet to homes and businesses.

We’re proud of the networks we’ve built in local communities, and we know how much of a difference a good internet connection makes in people’s lives. But these sorts of imbalances can make it harder for smaller providers to grow and offer the best possible service.

We wanted to share this perspective, because it helps explain some of the behind-the-scenes challenges that affect regional connectivity, and why support for local providers really matters.

You can check out the original post here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mike-smith-30328628_spectrumequity-radargate-wisps-activity-7337603139124043776-fD0R

Thanks for backing local! - The WiFiConnect Team.