Ultrafast Broadband Providers Review

New Zealand is one of the most advanced countries when it comes to ultrafast fibre broadband, and the NZ government actively takes measures to maximise UFB network coverage and availability within the country.

So if you want to upgrade your internet from standard to fibre but aren't sure where to start, you've come to the right place. In this post, we'll do an ultrafast broadband provider review to help you find the right choice for your needs.

Ultrafast Fibre Network Providers at a Glance

Here are some of the best ultra-fast broadband providers in New Zealand:

1. Spark
2. Enable Networks
3. Orcon
4. Slingshot
5. Sky Broadband
6. Full Flavour
7. Contact Energy

Familiarise yourself with how to choose a broadband provider that suits your needs to find the right plan for you since it's a delicate choice that'll likely stick with you for the long term.

What Is Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB)?

Ultra-fast broadband is a high-speed internet connection method that uses fibre optic cables instead of traditional forms, such as copper wires or wireless signals, to deliver data.

Fibre optic cables transmit data as pulses of light. And given that the speed of light is the fastest in the universe, this method ensures world-class connectivity at much faster speeds and higher bandwidth capacities than traditional.

The New Zealand Government-Backed UFB Programme

In 2009, the New Zealand government established Crown Infrastructure Partners (CIP, formerly known as Crown Fibre Holdings), a company whose primary job is managing the new ultra-fast broadband (UFB) project, which aims to deliver a reliable fibre network with up to 1 Gbps speeds all over the country.

The UFB programme also focuses on smaller towns in an attempt to equate them with major cities in New Zealand and push them ahead of most other towns and cities in the world. To do this, the CIP collaborates with four local fibre companies: Chorus, Enable Networks, Northpower, and Tuatahi First Fibre.

So far, the first phase of the UFB programme was completed in 2019, having successfully delivered high-quality ultra-fast broadband to 79% of New Zealanders. Numbers for the second phase, which was completed in 2022, aren't out yet.

Comparisons Between Ultra-Fast Broadband and Standard

In terms of speed, ultra-fast broadband (UFB), which uses fibre optic wires to transmit data, is the fastest and most reliable type of broadband available. As per the definition, UFB must be capable of at least 100 Mbps download speeds and up to 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps).

Right under ultra-fast broadband, we have super-fast VDSL, which stands for "very high-speed digital subscriber line." VDSL is capable of delivering download speeds up to 70 Mbps as it partially relies on fibre networks.

The most basic type of broadband available is ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), which is completely built on traditional copper wires, hence why it's only capable of up to 24 Mbps download speeds.

Review of the Best Ultra-Fast Broadband Providers in New Zealand

Now let's look at the best UFB network providers available to New Zealanders. We'll consider their download and upload speeds, reliability and performance, pricing, variety of plans, and additional factors in this review.

1. Spark

Company Overview

Spark is one of the largest mobile and internet service providers in New Zealand. It offers all kinds of broadband plans, including various fibre plans, with wide coverage over the country, even to some rural and remote areas.

Plans and Pricing

Spark offers five UFB network plans, though we can boil them down to three, as there are two pairs of similar plans but with add-ons or benefits.

One of Spark's fibre network plans, the Everyday Fibre plan, is the most basic one, with average speeds of 50 Mbps download and 10-20 Mbps upload, for $75 per month. Although this plan uses fibre optic networks, it falls outside the ultra-fast broadband (UFB) threshold, so we won't count it.

Apart from it, here are the four other UFB network plans:

• Essential Fibre: Average speed 319 Mbps download and 108 Mbps upload for $85 per month
• Essential Fibre Plus: Same as Essential Fibre plus Netflix Standard and McAfee Security Standard subscriptions for $90 per month
• Max Fibre: Average speed 914 Mbps download and 497 Mbps upload for $100 per month
• Max Fibre Plus: Same as Essential Fibre plus Netflix Standard and McAfee Security Standard subscriptions for $105 per month

Lastly, Spark's fibre network plans allow you to bring your own (BYO) modem during installation if it's compatible. But if you don't have one, you'll need to buy one from Spark for $150.

See also: Spark Broadband Provider Review

2. Enable Networks

Company Overview

Enable Networks is an ultra-fast broadband (UFB) network provider that operates solely in the greater Christchurch area, currently providing its services to over 200,000 homes, businesses, and schools in the city and its towns.

Enable is one of the four companies that collaborate in the UFB project with Crown Infrastructure Partners to deliver ultra-fast broadband all over the country. So if you're based in Christchurch, then it should be one of your first considerations.

Plans and Pricing

Enable Networks doesn't directly install broadband services as it focuses more on building the necessary infrastructure and handling the logistics (i.e., Enable is a wholesaler). Instead, if you want to connect to fibre, you can contact one of the internet service provider retailers that partner with Enable or by following through on the Enable website.

3. Orcon

Company Overview

Orcon is a leading mobile operator and electricity provider in New Zealand, but it's also a major internet service provider that's been providing internet services to New Zealanders since the late 1990s.

Currently, Orcon offers fibre network plans with decent coverage over the country. They also have plans with very high speeds that are suitable for large businesses, as we're about to see.

Plans and Pricing

Orcon divides its ultra-fast broadband (UFB) plans into fibre (two plans) and hyperfibre (three plans).

Here are the two fibre plans on offer:

• Fibre: Average download speed of 321 Mbps for $97 per month
• Fibre Pro: Average download speed of 869 Mbps for $109 per month

And here are the three hyperfibre plans:

• Hyperfibre 2: Average download speed of 2,000 Mbps for $129 per month
• Hyperfibre 4: Average download speed of 4,000 Mbps for $159 per month
• Hyperfibre 8: Average download speed of 7,700 Mbps for $289 per month

Note that all these speeds are estimates, but they may be slightly higher or lower in practice. Also, if you choose Orcon, you'll need to opt for a 12-month contract at minimum.

See also: Orcon Broadband Provider Review

4. Slingshot

Company Overview

Slingshot is another major internet service provider, mobile operator, and power provider in New Zealand. Incidentally, it's owned by Vocus, the same company that owns Orcon.

However, the parent company has kept Slingshot and Orcon as separate internet service providers with different plans.

Plans and Pricing

Slingshot offers three fibre broadband plans. The basic and lowest cost one is called 150 GB, referring to the bandwidth cap on it. It has an average download speed of 312 Mbps for $82 per month, but you'll be susceptible to speed throttles or data blocks when you reach the 150 GB data limit.

Apart from that, there are two unlimited plans:

• Unlimited: Average download speed of 312 Mbps for $87 per month
• Unlimited Gigantic: Average download speed of 872 Mbps for $99 per month

By choosing one of these plans as a new customer, you can also get $100 in joining credit if you opt for a 12-month contract.

Lastly, all three plans don't come with a modem, but you can either bring your own compatible modem or rent one for $5 per month.

See also: Slingshot Broadband Review

5. Sky Broadband

Company Overview

Sky is one of the most popular sports and entertainment providers in the world. But after years of providing services in the satellite TV industry to New Zealanders and people from other countries, they now also offer broadband services.

One of Sky's selling points is its ability to provide ultra-fast broadband (UFB) plans and bundle them with optional Sky TV subscriptions.

Plans and Pricing

Sky offers three fibre broadband plans:

• Fibre Starter: Average speeds of 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload for $60 per month or $85.99 per month with Sky TV. Not considered ultra-fast broadband (UFB) due to being below the threshold
• Fibre Everyday: Average speeds of 303 Mbps download and 108 Mbps upload for $85 per month or $100.99 per month with Sky TV. Subject to a $100 credit offer for new customers
• Fibre Pro: Average speeds of 828 Mbps download and 498 Mbps upload for $105 per month or $110.99 per month with Sky TV. Subject to a $250 credit offer for new customers

All plans come with a free cutting-edge Sky Wi-Fi 6 router and an option to add a landline telephone for an extra $10 per month.

See also: Is Sky Broadband Right for You?

6. Full Flavour

Company Overview

Full Flavour is the first ultra-fast broadband (UFB) provider on this list that specialises in delivering a fibre internet connection to rural areas as part of the Rural Broadband Initiative. With its head office in Tauranga, Full Flavour has been in the business for over 10 years and has expanded its local transmission sites in other rural areas, such as South Waikato and Rotorua Lakes.

Plans and Pricing

Full Flavour offers two fibre optic plans:

• Residential Go Fast Max Plan: Maximum speeds of 900 Mbps download and 500 Mbps upload for $115 per month. Internet reliability varies widely depending on where you are.
• Business Max Plan: Maximum speeds of 900 Mbps download and 500 Mbps upload for $155 per month. High speed is guaranteed.

You'll need to contact Full Flavour to get an estimate of the installation costs, and you can expect them to be higher the more remote your area is.

There are also two wireless plans, known as Air Fibre, that use fibre technology without needing to install the wiring:

• 100 Mbps plan with unlimited data for $350 per month plus $10,000 installation costs
• 1 Gbps plan with unlimited data. Monthly fees and installation costs are disclosed upon application.

Please note that these prices exclude the goods and services tax. Also, all the plans must be bought with a minimum 24-month long contract.

See also: Full Flavour Broadband Review

7. Contact Energy

Company Overview

Contact Energy is a huge power supplier and internet service provider in New Zealand. If your electricity is already covered by Contact, then you should consider their broadband services as you can get some nice deals. Otherwise, you won't be able to choose their broadband plans as a standalone product.

Plans and Pricing

Contact Energy offers two fibre plans if you're connected to their electricity network:

• Fast Fibre: Average speeds of 315 Mbps download and 109 Mbps upload for $70 per month
• Max Fibre: Average speeds of 877 Mbps download and 496 Mbps upload for $85 per month

See also: Contact Energy Broadband Review

What to Consider Before Deciding on a Fibre Network Provider

Still unsure which ultra-fast broadband provider is the best for your needs? Here are a few factors and considerations that you should ask yourself to help you make the right decision.

Speed

Consider your current internet needs and figure out what speed suits you. For most households, 100-300 Mbps download speeds are more than enough. But bigger households and businesses could always use more.

Coverage and Availability

Once you've made a shortlist of your preferred ultra-fast broadband providers, check their coverage to see if your area falls within it.

Data Caps or Fair Use Policies

Many broadband providers offer plans at attractive prices with data caps as low as 100-150 GBs per month, which is way too low for most internet users and especially households.

Contract Terms

Many broadband providers will force new customers into a lengthy contract upon their purchase, typically a minimum of 12-24 months. However, others will offer an open contract that you can terminate at any time.

The Bottom Line

Nowadays, there are many ultra-fast broadband providers in the country, especially after the New Zealand government collaborated with local fibre companies to work on the UFB programme to provide improved broadband at higher speeds to most New Zealanders.

So check out the various plans of the broadband providers we've listed. And once you've found the right plan at a good cost for your needs, research the company to see if it covers your area and contact its team for installation.