Rocket Mobile wins Best Value mobile award again

Rocket Mobile has been named Best Value Mobile Provider at the 2025 NZ Compare Awards, securing the title for a third consecutive year and extending its run at the top of New Zealand's value-focused mobile segment.

The repeat win strengthens the position of the mobile virtual network operator in a market that remains dominated by a small number of larger incumbents. Rocket Mobile launched in New Zealand as a challenger brand and operates on One NZ's network.

Rocket Mobile NZ's Head of Mobile, James Whittome, said the recognition reflected the company's focus on customer experience and its progress since launch.

"Winning for the third year in a row is an incredible endorsement from both the industry and our customers," said Whittome.

The company reported subscriber growth over the past 12 months. It attributed this increase to digital-savvy customers who moved from other providers in search of lower costs and simpler plans.

Whittome said the performance was significant given Rocket Mobile's smaller scale compared with the country's major operators. "We don't have the scale of the big telcos, so we've focused on smarter systems and customer control. Our app and MyAccount make it incredibly easy to start, switch or cancel. There are no credit checks, no voicemail fees, no card surcharges, no 28-day billing cycles-just full-month pricing and unlimited data at different speeds."

Plan structure

Rocket Mobile uses speed-tiered unlimited mobile plans rather than traditional data caps. Customers select a maximum speed and pay a fixed monthly price for unlimited usage at that tier.

The company introduced this structure in New Zealand as a core part of its offer. It has since seen other recent entrants adopt similar plan formats.

Rocket Mobile positions speed-based tiers as a way for users to manage costs while keeping data access consistent across the month. The absence of excess data fees and 28-day billing cycles forms part of the provider's value message.

The company also removes some standard ancillary charges. It does not apply voicemail fees or card surcharges, and it does not conduct credit checks for sign-ups.

Rising data use

Rocket Mobile said it had observed higher mobile data consumption among its customer base over the past year. It linked this trend to broader industry research indicating increasing usage in New Zealand.

"This year we saw customers using their mobile data more than ever," said Whittome. "According to both our own data and research from the Commerce Commission, average data usage grew. That's the clearest indicator that people feel confident using their phones without data rationing. Value should be ongoing, not just when you sign up."

The reference to Commerce Commission research aligns Rocket Mobile's internal figures with broader national trends. The regulator has tracked steady growth in mobile data consumption over several years as streaming, social media, and remote working become more embedded in daily life.

Group plans push

Rocket Mobile has also promoted Group Plans to attract households and groups of friends. These arrangements allow multiple connections under linked accounts, with each line receiving a discount.

The company said every connection on a Group Plan receives a price reduction, rather than relying on companion or add-on structures that tie discounts to a primary account. It described the feature as a straightforward multi-user discount.

Group Plans support different plan types across one group. Users can mix speed tiers within the same arrangement, which gives higher-usage customers faster options while lighter users remain on lower-speed plans.

Challenger strategy

Rocket Mobile operates as an MVNO on One NZ's network. Its parent company, MyRepublic, is based in the Asia-Pacific region and runs telecom operations across Singapore and New Zealand.

As a smaller operator, Rocket Mobile has positioned itself as a challenger on pricing simplicity and plan structure rather than on network ownership. It relies on digital channels for sign-up and account management, placing its app and self-service portal at the centre of the customer relationship.

Whittome said the latest NZ Compare award signalled progress but that the brand planned further developments.

"We exist to give Kiwis unlimited data at fair prices, without fine print. Our job now is to keep leading on everyday value. We've got exciting new enhancements coming in 2026 that will continue to raise the bar, and keep driving competition in a market that desperately needs it," said Whittome.