Skinny Broadband - is it any good

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Skinny Broadband - is it any good

mtvessel

66 posts

Master Geek

#278452 17-Oct-2020 13:35

Currently we are with 2degrees for our broadband.
This month without warning they increased their rate by $4.

I am not wearing that, so I am looking for another provider.

Skinny is my mobile provider and so far I have had good service from them in this area.

My location is in Christchurch and I am wondering how Skinny broadband subscribers in ChCh find Skinnys broadband UFB service.

Skinny has a rate $16 less per month than 2Degrees but I do wonder if there is still an issue with adding a VOIP service.

There use to be a problem with VOIP some time ago.

1 | 2

4087 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2586556 17-Oct-2020 13:45

In short Skinny runs over Spark's network so yes it will be good.

There is a thread about 2degree's price increase being due to Chorus rates changing, but at the same time is it really worth moving over the price of a cup of coffee?

SATTV

1648 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2586567 17-Oct-2020 13:57

I dont know if Skinny still use CG-NAT or not but I am with Voyager and they do not go GC-NAT, a static IP is a one off payment of $15

I moved there from 2D, Could not be happier.

John

I know enough to be dangerous

mtvessel

66 posts

Master Geek

#2586568 17-Oct-2020 14:02

DjShadow:

In short Skinny runs over Spark's network so yes it will be good.

There is a thread about 2degree's price increase being due to Chorus rates changing, but at the same time is it really worth moving over the price of a cup of coffee?

Thank you for your reply DJ Shadow I appreciate the information.

As a superannuitant, yes the $4 does matter but also the lack of communication also grates.

mtvessel

66 posts

Master Geek

#2586569 17-Oct-2020 14:03

SATTV:

I dont know if Skinny still use CG-NAT or not but I am with Voyager and they do not go GC-NAT, a static IP is a one off payment of $15

I moved there from 2D, Could not be happier.

John

Thank you for the reply John

nztim

3819 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#2586571 17-Oct-2020 14:14

mtvessel:
DjShadow:

In short Skinny runs over Spark's network so yes it will be good.

There is a thread about 2degree's price increase being due to Chorus rates changing, but at the same time is it really worth moving over the price of a cup of coffee?

Thank you for your reply DJ Shadow I appreciate the information.

As a superannuitant, yes the $4 does matter but also the lack of communication also grates.

2degrees emailed all customers and only RSPs charging less will have to jack up their prices as well they just haven’t done it yet

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

RmACK

196 posts

Master Geek

#2586572 17-Oct-2020 14:19

SATTV:

I dont know if Skinny still use CG-NAT or not but I am with Voyager and they do not go GC-NAT, a static IP is a one off payment of $15

I moved there from 2D, Could not be happier.

John

Skinny is not CG-NAT, it's public IPV4. Dynamic-only so I use DDNS.

farcus

1554 posts

Uber Geek

#2586707 17-Oct-2020 18:44

SATTV:

I dont know if Skinny still use CG-NAT or not but I am with Voyager and they do not go GC-NAT, a static IP is a one off payment of $15

I moved there from 2D, Could not be happier.

John

Skinny don't and never have used CG-NAT

If you join Skinny you have to purchase their modem (or join on contract and get it free). They wont support thrid party modems or give you the details on how to set it up with Skinny.

However, it really isn't that hard to work out the connection settings. I got a Fritz 7490 set up and running within about 5 mins

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2586831 17-Oct-2020 23:11

farcus:
Skinny don't and never have used CG-NAT

If you join Skinny you have to purchase their modem (or join on contract and get it free). They wont support thrid party modems or give you the details on how to set it up with Skinny.

However, it really isn't that hard to work out the connection settings. I got a Fritz 7490 set up and running within about 5 mins

From Skinny's retired terms page

18. Technical requirements

Skinny Unlimited Broadband uses Carrier Grade NAT. This will not interfere with most uses of the internet.

andrewNZ

2487 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2586832 17-Oct-2020 23:17

Skinny is good, I've been with them since august 2018. It's basically minimum support Spark.

I've never had a Skinny only issue, I've seen a couple of Spark network issues.

michaelmurfy

meow
13257 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2586859 18-Oct-2020 01:03

This is my personal view (and I know some will disagree) but I think it is personally a step back going from 2degrees to Spark network-wise. Spark, I am afraid have fallen behind in terms of their network (not offering IPv6 while most providers are, their anti-peering policy etc).

1) 2degrees have a really great network - they openly peer, they support IPv6 and their international connectivity is top-notch.
2) Their support is actually really good (note - to get any support from Skinny, from experience, you need to be using their router).
3) You can save a further $10/mo off their broadband if you have on-account mobile with 2degrees also.
4) If you've got VoIP then Skinny is not for you (because of their router meaning you have to consider adding an ATA to the mix) - you're better going with a provider with bundled VoIP, like 2degrees if you want to keep it simple.

For $4/mo - no, I wouldn't personally switch. But this depends on what you're looking for in broadband. ISP's differ on key elements which can impact a users experience. In my personal experience, 2degrees and Voyager are the 2 main providers I recommend for international connectivity, local peering and features while maintaining a cheaper price and good support.

It is never wise going to the cheapest broadband provider if you're dependent on internet or work from home etc. If you are a very light user and price really matters then perhaps look to see if Skinny Jump is for you (https://www.skinny.co.nz/jump/home.html).

But first, phone up 2degrees and explain you're thinking about moving and see what they'll do for you. With your mobile not being with them I'd say the deals they could offer you would be less than if you had mobile with them but you never know.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by subscribing.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

rugrat

3107 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2586868 18-Oct-2020 04:50

If you’re in Christchurch I’ll assume you are on the 200/100 Plan with Enable.

The $73 Skinny price is 30/10, it’s $78 for the Christchurch 200 plan with Skinny. Also their web site has it as 20 upload, guessing they haven’t updated yet as to my knowledge all 200 plans would be 100 upload in Christchurch now. The $78 is marked down from normal $88 Skinny.

‘I have my mobile Skinny as well, and for me a monthly plan would be more then the $10 saving off broadband if went 2degrees monthly.

Emails were sent, so maybe you missed it. If ring 2degrees they may offer better price for contract.

if your landline is with 2degrees mention it, as may give you a better deal.

I have my landline with 2degrees and find it very feature enabled compared to Spark, love the free tolls to other landlines. Skinny doesn’t offer landline services of their own.

quickymart

13963 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2586884 18-Oct-2020 08:04

Choosing a provider solely on price is never the best way to do things, otherwise you end up with providers with really poor support - I'm looking in the direction of My Republic (support? What support?)

Also power companies don't usually do internet well either.

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2586885 18-Oct-2020 08:15

As others have said its only a matter of time and other ISPs will look at passing on the increased chorus fee.

Cyril

scuwp

3885 posts

Uber Geek

#2586888 18-Oct-2020 08:41

Have you tried contacting 2 Degrees and seeing what deal that may be willing to offer if you re-sign for 12 months?

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2586889 18-Oct-2020 08:50

Also just to clarify, skinny wired/fibre service does not use CG-NAT, its the exact same platform as Spark albeit with no vlan10.

Skinny mobile however does use CG-NAT.

Cyril

1 | 2