Compare broadband deals

Whether you’re looking for ultrafast fibre, wireless broadband, or even a satellite internet plan, it pays to compare broadband deals so you can get the best plan for you at the best price. Read on to find out more about the technologies available in New Zealand, how to compare plans and how to find the best deal.

What kind of broadband plans are available?

In New Zealand, you can find plans that use fibre, copper, wireless or satellite broadband.

Fibre

Fibre, also known as Ultra-fast Broadband (UFB) offers speeds far greater than ADSL and VDSL. fibre has been rolling out throughout the country over the last few years thanks to a government initiative to update New Zealand’s broadband infrastructure and improve the lives of Kiwis.

Fibre lets multiple people in your homes use devices simultaneously without seeing a dip in quality. This is why fibre is becoming increasingly popular for busy households with members that want to stream, download, game or surf without having to worry about buffering or lagging.

• How fast is fibre broadband?

  Like with copper broadband, the maximum speed that you can get for fibre depends on the type of plan you choose and with which provider. It is typical to see two or three fibre plans available at an ISP, but some may offer only one. As a starting point, the majority of providers offer standard fibre with download speeds of up to 100Mpbs and upload speeds of 20Mbps.

  From there speeds can get astronomical. Some providers offer plans with speeds up to 950Mbps, while there are currently 2 providers in New Zealand with Hyperfibre plans that can attain mind-boggling download speeds of up to 8,000Mbps.

Copper broadband

While copper broadband was relied on by Kiwis for many years, it’s fast becoming an old technology as more and more people are able to access fibre and faster wireless services.

Since fibre is not available everywhere just yet, and the installation time sometimes taking up to a few months, copper broadband is still available through many providers. Plus, for people who aren’t heavy internet users and don’t mind the slower speeds, copper is still a suitable option for many households.

• How fast is copper broadband?

  For ADSL, the maximum speed that you are likely to see is 10Mbps download and 1Mbps upload. For ADSL2+, speeds increase to 24Mbps download and 3Mbps upload.

  VDSL is faster than ADSL, but the maximum speed can vary provider to provider. It’s possible to get download speeds of up to 100Mbps and upload speeds of up to 30Mbps, but some ISPs only advertise a maximum download speed of 50-70Mbps. If you live in an area with vectored VDSL, you might be able to get download speeds of up to 130Mbps.

Wireless

Wireless broadband allows you to access the internet without a physical connection. Wireless can be a good solution for those who live in areas where there are no cables or fibre lines. It’s also useful for renters that are unable to get permission from their landlord to install appropriate cabling for other connections.

Since there are no cables like with copper or fibre broadband, your wireless modem has an antenna that picks up the radio signals transmitted from the closest cellphone tower. A big chunk of wireless broadband is now delivered through 4G, although high-speed 5G is now available from companies including Spark and Vodafone.

• How fast is wireless broadband?

  The speed you will experience with wireless broadband depends on whether you are using 3G, 4G or 5G.

  • 3G. 3G is much slower, with download speeds of up to 20Mbps depending on the signal conditions.
  • 4G. 4G has a maximum download speed of 100Mbps, but typical speeds sit around 30-80Mpbs.
  • 5G. 5G has the potential to be 100 times faster than 4G with download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. However, an average speed of 150-200Mbps is more likely for most.

Satellite

When copper, fibre and wireless broadband are not available because you live in a remote location, you can still have access to the internet through satellite broadband.

Although it is more expensive than other connection types and you will need to have a dish installed on your roof, satellite broadband might be your only option if you’re in a rural area.

• How fast is satellite broadband?

  While satellite broadband was considered to be slow in the past, it can now achieve speeds similar or faster than other connection types.

  Many providers offer download speeds of 30Mbps or faster, while the upcoming Starlink from SpaceX promises speeds between 50Mbps and 150Mbps.

How to compare broadband deals

When you’re trying to choose between broadband deals, here’s what matters.

🏎 Speed and connection type

This is the number one comparison point for any connection. How fast you can download and upload data will affect how quickly you can transfer files and stream videos, as well as how well your Internet works when many people are using it at once. It’s also what you have the least control over because it will depend on your connection type and location.

While fibre is becoming the new normal in the broadband world, you may not have it available at your place. Depending on where you live, your only option might be ADSL, VDSL or wireless, but connectivity is improving throughout the country.

If you are not sure what is available at your house, you can enter your address into the National Broadband Map to find the best connection type possible. Not all providers cater for all connection types, but you can get an idea of which companies are able to supply broadband to your home from this website.

💾 Data

While your maximum monthly data in gigabytes is still important, the amount of data we use is higher and so you’re more likely to want to go unlimited for your home Internet plan. However, some providers have an ‘acceptable usage policy’ if you’re running rampant.

If you’re a lighter user, you can save by calculating how much data you’re likely to use. Generally, though, speed matters more. All the data in the world is useless if your connection crawls.

📜 Contract details

Broadband plans are usually offered on contracts, usually 12 or 24 months, but month-to-month casual plans are becoming increasingly popular. Month-to-month or open-term contracts are beneficial for those that are unable to commit to a longer term, perhaps if they are moving house or overseas in the near future, or who just want the flexibility to be able to change providers when they want.

💰 Cost

When it comes to cost, you should always check the minimum total amount you’ll have to pay for a given plan. A longer-term contract may have a lower monthly cost but you’ll be stuck paying it out in its entirety even if you decide it’s not suitable. Early exit fees can be hundreds of dollars, and since you’ve signed a contract, you are legally required to pay these charges.

Does a modem come free with the plan? Or do you need to pay for one upfront? Many longer-term broadband deals come with a free modem, but if you are signing up for an open-term plan, it is likely that you’ll need to purchase your modem or lease it for an additional monthly cost.

You will also need to factor in if there are any installation costs applicable. Standard installation is often free for fibre and copper, but additional charges can apply for non-standard installations, and equipment costs for satellite broadband can be on the pricey side.

🎁 Signup bonuses

When browsing broadband deals, you’ll notice that there are often signup bonuses on offer. Some providers will give you free access to Netflix or Amazon Prime Video when you sign up on a 12- or 24-month contract, or entice you with a free gift like a new smart TV. You can also see deals that offer an account credit or half-priced broadband for a period of time. Other providers will give you a discount if you bundle your Internet plan with other services such as a mobile plan or energy.

Before you jump at these attractive broadband deals, check that you will actually save money over the course of the contract before making a commitment.

How do I find the cheapest broadband deals?

If you’re looking for cheap broadband deals, here are some ways that you can save and find the best plan for you:

• Check out your mobile phone provider. It may be possible to save on your broadband by signing up for the service with your current mobile phone provider. Companies like 2degrees and Vodafone offer a monthly discount on your broadband plan if you also have a pay monthly mobile plan.
• Consider your energy company. Trustpower, Contact and Nova Energy all offer discounted plans to their energy customers.
• Pay attention to advertising. ISPs are regularly promoting deals for new customers, so keep an eye on any promotions that you see.
• Do your research. Finding the best broadband deals will take some research as you weigh up the different options and work out what kind of plan you will most benefit from. In the section above you’ll find links to reviews of various broadband providers, so take your time to weigh up what’s on offer.
• Compare broadband deals with Finder. If you’re in a rush and want to know what are the cheapest options available right now, head straight to our guide on cheap broadband plans.

Why should I compare with Finder?

Choosing the right broadband plan for you can take hours of research. When you’re busy with your career or raising a family, those hours might be hard to come by.

At Finder, we take the hassle out of finding your next plan by giving you all the information you need in one place with the latest broadband deals and offers. Our team works hard to examine all the pros and cons of broadband providers and plans, so you can quickly find the right deal to suit your needs without all the hours of unnecessary research.

Unlike other comparison websites, we don’t ask you for your name and contact details in exchange for information. And best of all? Our service is completely free as we strive to help Kiwis make better financial decisions.