Far North District Broadband Survey Results 2016/17

Transcription

1 Far North District Broadband Survey Results 2016/17 Document Number A Version Number 1.0

2 Information within the report may be freely used provided the source is acknowledged. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this report is correct. Far North District Council and the authors are not liable for any potential errors or responsible for actions taken as a result of the information provided in this report. This report was developed by the Strategic Planning and Projects team of the Far North District Council. Author: Logan Ashmore Published: 2 March 2017 Enquiries: strategy@fndc.govt.nz Far North District Council Te Kaunihera o Tai Tokerau ki te Raki 5 Memorial Avenue Private Bag 752 Kaikohe 0440 New Zealand

3 CONTENT Introduction... 1 Purpose... 1 Survey Design... 1 Survey Administration Response Distribution... 2 Figure 1. Broadband Survey Responses: FND, 2016/ Broadband Speed... 2 Table 1. Recorded Broadband Speeds: FND, 2016/ Chart 1. Respondents Grouped by Broadband Download Speeds (Mbps): FND, 2016/ Chart 2. Respondents Grouped by Broadband Upload Speeds (Mbps): FND, 2016/ Table 2. Speed by Broadband Provider: FND, 2016/ Table 3. Speed by Broadband Type: FND, 2016/ Figure 2. Broadband Download Speeds: FND, 2016/ Figure 3. Broadband Upload Speeds: FND, 2016/ Coverage... 8 Chart 3. Mobile Reception at Home: FND, 2016/ Figure 4. Mobile Reception at Home: FND, 2016/ Broadband Cost Chart 4. Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, Chart 5. Annual Household Income and Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, Chart 6. Average Broadband Speed by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/ Chart 7. Broadband Data Limits by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/ Figure 5. Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, 2016/ Satisfaction Chart 8. Satisfaction with Broadband Service: FND, 2016/ Chart 9. Satisfaction with Broadband Service by Provider: FND, 2016/ Chart 11. Broadband Satisfaction by Download Speed Groupings: FND, 2016/ Chart 10. Broadband Satisfaction by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/ Figure 6. Satisfaction with Broadband Service: FND, 2016/ Appendix I... 16

4 INTRODUCTION Purpose Central Government s Rural Broadband Initiative extension (RBI2) and Mobile Black Spot (MBS) programme aims to improve access to (and the quality of) communications technologies. In order to obtain the greatest benefit from the programme, FNDC is taking steps to provide Crown Fibre Holdings with as much data as possible. The primary purpose of this survey was to measure broadband speeds at location (using geolocation). Survey Design The survey was designed by Palmerston North City Council and shared with FNDC. Other questions were added to the original survey (e.g. annual income to help evaluate affordability) but these questions were secondary and not compulsory. The complete list of questions and potential answers are available in Appendix I. Survey Administration Launched on 21 Dec 2016, closed 20 January Advertised via social and traditional media channels. A media release was picked up by local newspapers and regular posts on the FNDC Facebook page were well liked and shared. Facebook advert reach: - 22 Dec, ,924 people reached - 9 Jan, ,451 people reached - 16 Jan, ,237 people reached 1

5 1. RESPONSE DISTRIBUTION In total there were 366 responses to the broadband survey. Of these, 3 had to be manually added, as the participant s internet speed was not fast enough to complete the survey. Additionally, 4 responses were from outside of the FND, 2 in Whangarei District and 2 elsewhere. Only the 362 in the Far North district were used for the purposes of analysis and reporting. The distribution of responses are shown in Figure 1. When separated by ward, the most responses came from the Bay of Islands at 183 (51%), followed by Te Hiku at 106 (29%), and Kaikohe-Hokianga at 73 (20%). Figure 1. Broadband Survey Responses: FND, 2016/17 2. BROADBAND SPEED As education, commerce, and outreach move to online platforms; the quality of life in the FND will become more dependent on the quality of broadband access. Isolation and decreases in productivity and competitiveness are likely to result from inadequate broadband service. The following comments from respondents highlight some of the issues already being experienced in the district: Internet access is important to us for communication, banking etc as we live in an isolated location. Cell phone reception would also help alleviate isolation. I'm completing my master of nursing this year, must have reliable internet which I don t, continual drop outs every day. Looking at changing to satellite, not because I want to, but its the only option. B/Band is slow & inadequate-i hold 4 accts to ensure continued internet for our farm staff - there are no more ports to be added until 2027! Ph reception is patchy. H & S [health and safety] issue on farm for sure! 2

6 Generally download speeds were higher than upload speeds for most respondents, with only 20% recording faster upload than download speeds. This is reflected in the average total download speed being 12.4 Mbps and the average upload speed being 5.1 Mbps. The Bay of Islands area recorded the fastest average download speed at 15.1 Mbps, compared with Kaikohe-Hokianga at 10.1 Mbps and Te Hiku at 9.2 Mbps. Te Hiku had the highest upload speed at 5.5 Mbps, compared with the Bay of Islands at 5.2 Mbps and Kaikohe-Hokianga at 3.2 Mbps. Table 1. Recorded Broadband Speeds: FND, 2016/17 Survey Area Average Speed (Mbps) Maximum Speed Observed (Mbps) Download Upload Download Upload Total FND Te Hiku Bay of Islands Kaikohe- Hokianga Chart 1. shows the percentage of respondents grouped into speed categories. The largest total grouping for download speeds was 0 to 5 Mbps at 33%, followed by 10.1 to 20 Mbps at 30%. Bay of Islands has the most even distribution of speeds for downloading, with the largest grouping (29%) in the middle category of 10.1 to 20 Mbps. In contrast, the distribution for the Te Hiku ward was mostly in the lowest two groupings, with 42% in the lowest grouping of 0 to 5 Mbps. Kaikohe-Hokianga respondents were mostly split between the lowest speed group at 33% and the middle group at 43%. Chart 2. Shows that the majority (71%) of users are experiencing upload speeds of 0 to 5 Mbps. Bay of Islands had fewer respondents (67%) in this category than Te Hiku or Kaikohe-Hokianga (both 75%). Chart 1. Respondents Grouped by Broadband Download Speeds (Mbps): FND, 2016/17 50% 40% Total Bay of Islands Te Hiku Kaikohe-Hokianga Downloading 30% 20% 10% 0% Mbps 0 to to to to

7 Chart 2. Respondents Grouped by Broadband Upload Speeds (Mbps): FND, 2016/17 80% 70% Total Bay of Islands Te Hiku Kaikohe-Hokianga Uploading 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Mbps 0 to to to to Though many respondents commented on slow download speeds, upload speeds are important to businesses or people working remotely. Insufficient upload speeds will impede the innovation and growth of the district. The following are samples of comments made in relation to work being hindered by low quality broadband: We are currently trying to work from home as graphic artists and are continually frustrated with the broadband quality. We have the most inconsistent Internet speeds ever. It is painfully slow & I know of people that avoid moving to this area as their business relies on a good Broadband connection. I'm self-employed and reliant on a good broadband connection for my work. All my clients are in Auckland or overseas; i.e. I bring money into the Far North economy. However, the terrible internet connection here impedes my ability to work and earn. Comparing upload speeds by service providers in Table 2. the averages range between 3.0 and 6.6 Mbps. Table 2. Speed by Broadband Provider: FND, 2016/17 Provider Count Average Speed (Mbps) Upload Download Provider A 15 (4%) Provider B* 4 (1%) Provider C* 2 (1%) Provider D 16 (4%) Provider E 36 (10%) Provider F 103(28%) Provider G 126 (35%) Provider H 52 (15%) Provider I* 8 (2%) Providers have been anonymised for the purpose of this report. *Count bellow- 10 should be viewed with caution, as accuracy is limited by the low response. 4

8 Comparing average download speeds shows more variation. Providers A and B stand out as having average download speeds around 5 Mbps, less than half that of other providers. This is likely for 2 reasons. First, they are servicing most rural or remote users. Second, most respondents using one of the 3 providers were on a satellite connection. As Table 3. shows, satellite has one of the lower average download speeds. Table 3. also shows that the majority of respondents are on ADSL (47%) or VDSL (20%). While ADSL connections were below average at 9.3 Mbps, VDSL posted the second highest average of 21.5 Mbps. Table 3. Speed by Broadband Type: FND, 2016/17 Broadband Type Response Count Average Speed (Mbps) Upload Download Hotspot* 2 (1%) Fibre* 4 (1%) Cable 10 (3%) Satellite 18 (5%) Don t Know 31(9%) ADSL 169 (47%) G 13 (4%) Other 11 (3%) Not Stated 13 (4%) WISP* 3 (1%) Public* 4 (1%) G 11 (3%) VDSL 72 (20%) UFB* 1 (0.3%) *Count bellow 10- should be viewed with caution, as accuracy is limited by the low response. 5

9 Figure 2. Broadband Download Speeds: FND, 2016/17 6

10 Figure 3. Broadband Upload Speeds: FND, 2016/17 7

11 3. MOBILE COVERAGE The majority (56%) of respondents had enough reception at home to place calls. The Bay of Islands had the highest percentage at 61%, while only 51% of Te Hiku and 49% of Kaikohe- Hokianga respondents reported having enough reception to make calls. More Kaikohe-Hokianga responds reported having no reception than for Te Hiku or Bay of Islands, 19% compared to 14% and 4% respectively. Among the factors hindering coverage, the distance from towers and hilly terrain in the Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward may make it harder for signals to reach homes. Chart 3. Mobile Reception at Home: FND, 2016/17 Total Bay of Islands Te Hiku Kaikohe-Hokianga 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No Response No Reception Reception Sometimes Enough to text Enough to call 8

12 Figure 4. Mobile Reception at Home: FND, 2016/17 9

13 4. BROADBAND COST The majority of respondents reported spending $76 or more per month on the broadband, with 44% spending between $76 and $100, and 24% spending over $100. While 46% of respondents in Bay of Islands and 52% in Te Hiku spent $76 to $100 per month, only 30% of Kaikohe- Hokianga respondents spent the same. Kaikohe-Hokianga respondents were more distributed into the lower $51 to $75 (23%) and higher $101+ (27%) groups than respondents form other areas. Chart 4. shows minor variations in download speeds and increased monthly spending by respondents, staying between 10.8 and 12.4 Mbps for all spending groups. Chart 4. Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, % Total Bay of Islands Te Hiku Kaikohe-Hokianga 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% NZD No Response 0 to to to to Monthly spending on broadband increased with the annual income given by respondents. Respondents making between 0 and $14,000 spent the least with 50% spending under $76 a month. Spending increases with each income group, with 97% of respondents making over $100,000 spending $76 or more per month. Chart 5. Annual Household Income and Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, % NZD No Response 0 to to to to % 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% No Response 0 to 14k 14k to 48k 48k to 70k 70k to 100k 100k + Annual Household Income 10

14 Chart 6. shows minor variations in download speeds and increased monthly spending by respondents, staying between 10.8 and 12.4 Mbps for all spending groups. Chart 7. shows that respondents spending more per month tended to have higher data limits. Together the charts suggest that increasing spending on broadband mostly increases the amount of data respondents can use, not the speed of their access. Chart 6. Average Broadband Speed by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/17 Mbps NZD Upload Download 0 to to to to Chart 7. Broadband Data Limits by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/17 70% No Response 0 to 1G 1G to 10G 10G to 40 40G to 80G Unlimited 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Didn t Say 0 to 25* 26 to to to *Count bellow 10- should be viewed with caution, as accuracy is limited by the low response. 11

15 Figure 5. Monthly Spending on Broadband: FND, 2016/17 12

16 5. SATISFACTION Overall, more respondents were not satisfied (40%) with their broadband than were satisfied (20%). Bay of Islands had the largest proportion of dissatisfaction at 44%, followed by Te Hiku at 40%. Kaikohe-Hokianga showed lower dissatisfaction at 27% and was the only area where the largest response was somewhat satisfied at 48%. Chart 8. Satisfaction with Broadband Service: FND, 2016/17 Total Not Satisfied No Response Somewhat Satisfied Kaikohe-Hokianga Te Hiku Bay of Islands 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Chart 9. Satisfaction with Broadband Service by Provider: FND, 2016/17 Provider A Provider E Provider G* Provider F* Provider H Provider B* Provider I Provider C Provider D Not Satisfied No Response Somewhat Satisfied 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Providers have been anonymized for the purpose of this report. *Counts bellow 10 should be viewed with caution, as accuracy is limited by the low response. In terms of providers, respondents using Provider D. showed the highest satisfaction at 81% satisfied, while Provider A showed the highest dissatisfaction at 60% not satisfied. There are several factors that may be influencing respondents satisfaction with their current broadband service. These may include cost, data limits, service stability, and speed. Respondents could also be dissatisfied by the restricted choices, as there are services and providers unavailable in many areas of the district. This is indicated in multiple comments from respondents, including the following: I have only 1 provider to choose from and they rob you blind for the service and quality you pay. I can only go with satellite broadband, no mobile coverage & $250 a month is robbery 13

17 We cannot get the internet in our home because the IP says there is no room for us on the exchange The cost of broadband is outrageous in NZ and the fact that you are so restricted by the exact area you live in the Far North to even have something that remotely works is beyond ridiculous Two aspects that were highlighted in several respondents comments pertained to the cost and poor speed of broadband. This sentiment is reflected in Chart 10. and Chart 11. Chart 10. shows that satisfaction is relatively unchanged by respondents monthly spending on broadband. However, there is a shift from somewhat to not satisfied as monthly broadband spending increases. Chart 11. Shows that respondents shifted from being not satisfied to satisfied as broadband download speeds increased. Chart 4. Broadband Satisfaction by Monthly Spending: FND, 2016/17 80% Not Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% NZD 0 to to to to Chart 3. Broadband Satisfaction by Download Speed Groupings: FND, 2016/17 60% Not Satisfied Somewhat Satisfied 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Mbps 0 to to to

18 Figure 6. Satisfaction with Broadband Service: FND, 2016/17 15

19 APPENDIX I Broadband Survey Questions and Answers: Code Field 1. Speed [use to get your speed] Upload Speed n/a # Download Speed n/a # 2. Time and Date of the Test? [TimeTest] dd/mm/yyyy 3. Who is your internet service provider? [Service Provider] 4. How much data do you receive each month? [DataReceived] 5. What type of internet service do you have? [TypeBroadband] 6. How much data do you receive each month? [PayBroadband] 7. Are you satisfied with your internet service? [Satisfaction] 8. What s your annual income before tax? [Annual_Income] 9. Do you have mobile reception at home? [MobileHome] 1 Farmside 2 Spark 3 Vodafone 4 2 Degrees 5 Uber 6 Rural Tech Solutions 7 Wireless Nation 8 Slingshot 9 Other 0 Up to 500MB MB - 1GB 1 1GB - 10GB 10 10GB - 40GB 40 40GB - 80GB Unlimited Unlimited 3G 3G 4G 4G ADSL ADSL Cable Cable Fibre Fibre Public Public Wifi UFB UFB VDSL VDSL Satellite Satellite WISP WISP Other Other - Please describe or name in Comments DNN Unsure Hotspot Hotspot Mobile Phone $25 26 $26 - $50 51 $51 - $75 76 $76 - $ Over $101 RNS Rather not say DNN Unsure Y Yes N No S Sometimes 14k up to $14,000 48k $14,000 - $48,000 70k $48,000 - $70, k $70,000 - $100,000 o100k Over $100,000 RNS Rather not say Text Yes - Enough to receive a text Call Yes - Enough to receive a phone call Some Sometimes No No reception 10. Comments n/a Open Text 16