Any pros or cons on moving from Spark to Mercury for broadband?

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zxboy

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#309396 15-Oct-2023 21:49

Hi all, we're on a Spark Netflix Fibre Max Open plan,with Netflix and Neon in the package. We've had good service from Spark and we've been with them for ages.

We're thinking of moving to Mercury for electricity and gas and can get their Fibremax unlimited data plan for $109 which is $20/month cheaper thank the base Spark package (yep, we'll still need to pay for Netflix and Neon separately). And of course we'll get a free TV and soundbar - which we don't need but could sell I suppose...

Does anyone have any positive or negative experiences with Mercury broadband in terms of performance, stability and service? I have read on glimp.co.nz that Mercury broadband isn't overly stable and customer service is a bit so-so.

Any thoughts / comments appreciated.

Russell

zocster

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#3147858 15-Oct-2023 21:53

I'm happy so far. Forked out for a couple of eeros.

nztim

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#3147860 15-Oct-2023 22:31

Out of all the electricity companies that also sell broadband Mercury (formally trust power) is the only provider that actually owns their own network

All the others use re-sell someone else's product.

They peer on the at all three major cities and have a pretty solid network.

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

zxboy

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#3147925 16-Oct-2023 06:18

Thanks, sounds like moving would be OK. Didn't know about their network, good to know.

Cheers

CcMaN

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#3148209 16-Oct-2023 17:13

Might not be the popular opinion around Geekzone, I've been with them (Trustpower now Mercury) for a few years now and they have been really good.

Speeds are great, no drop outs, support IPv6. Once I was out of my initial contract with the free TV and soundbar they even pricematched with their competitors.

Service has always been quite good for us, when we moved home during Level 3 lockdown we found that fibre wasn't actually installed at our new property they sent us a 4G Wireless Broadband pack to use until Chorus could get a technician out to install UFB.

Honestly, I've had much more headaches in the past with the likes of 2degrees/Snap/Orcon, Vodafone & Spark.

bfginger

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#3395736 20-Jul-2025 23:15

Are Mercury's fibre internet plans restricted to those bundling with other Mercury services such as electricity?

yitz

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#3395739 20-Jul-2025 23:59

bfginger:

Are Mercury's fibre internet plans restricted to those bundling with other Mercury services such as electricity?

Yes I believe so but they also have their Now NZ brand but not sure if that's the same thing @taneb1

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k1w1k1d

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#3395762 21-Jul-2025 08:43

Daughter went with Mercury for power, gas, and broadband when she bought her house a few months ago. They were very easy to deal with. Her house didn't have fibre installed so they sent her a 4G wireless router until fibre was installed by Enable. They sent the eero when the fibre had been installed.

Her bedroom is at the opposite end of the house to the eero so I thought she may have needed a second one, but it covers the whole house.

They had the best combined pricing and as a bonus she got a 55" TV and soundbar when she signed up.

Rmani

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#3395766 21-Jul-2025 08:55

Can I use the spark router & mesh for Mercury as well?

Rmani

taneb1

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#3395790 21-Jul-2025 10:41

Hi team,

Appreciate the tag - To answer the questions on the thread

@bfginger - Yes, you can sign up for Broadband only services (and as of last month, there is no extra $15 per month fee for taking Broadband Only)
- You can call the sales team on 0800 36 98 45 to discuss this.
- Noting that any offers such as 6 months free, Samsung You Choose, etc. do still require a bundled service with Electricity.
@yitz - Correct - Now NZ (For the most part) does us Mercury Network - However does operate with their own great teams in Napier and Christchurch!
@Rmani - You can use your existing Spark router, but we would recommend reconfiguring this from PPPoE to DHCP (IPoE) for the best experience.

We also have a Looking Glass available here - https://lg.as55850.net/ if anyone is wanting to complete traceroutes.

Any other questions, please let me know.

Any comments made are my personal views and does not represent those of my employer

speshnz

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#3395805 21-Jul-2025 12:13

one more for Mercury, mostly seems fine. We moved from sky (was cheap at the time) to mercury (for the bundle + appliance) and its been fine for a bit over a year. We'll reassess in 11months when the contract comes up, my days of being loyal to a brand a long gone :D if they offer me a service i want for a price im willing to pay or cheaper im going there

nzkc

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#3395810 21-Jul-2025 12:30

zxboy:

We're thinking of moving to Mercury for electricity and gas and can get their Fibremax unlimited data plan for $109 which is $20/month cheaper thank the base Spark package (yep, we'll still need to pay for Netflix and Neon separately).

Given Netflix is $25.99/mth for 1080p (I wouldnt want the basic tier myself)... is it worth it?

I guess if you cancel and resubscribe from time to time you can make it cheaper over all... but generally you're at $6/mth more for the same (well less cause I've ignored Neon).

Its up to you - but if pricing is the driver it seems no better off to me 🤷‍♂️

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jupjohn

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#3395813 21-Jul-2025 12:44

Having been on the Mercury (Trustpower ISP) network for 8+ years, I only have good things to say about it. They've always tended to jump on new things before some of the other big players (RPKI, IPv6 adoption etc.,) have good peering, and the care they have for the network shows.
Across 3 different properties, latency and sustained throughput has always been solid. I suppose owning the network (as opposed to white-labeling someone else's) helps them ensure that quality.

I've only recently switched away to Quic as Mercury doesn't offer a static IPv6 prefix - only a static IPv4 address - and they don't currently have hyperfibre plans available.

NOTE: I'm biased as I used to work for Trustpower & Mercury and saw the people/work behind it, but I do believe what they've built is great.

scuwp

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#3395915 21-Jul-2025 15:45

nzkc:

zxboy:

We're thinking of moving to Mercury for electricity and gas and can get their Fibremax unlimited data plan for $109 which is $20/month cheaper thank the base Spark package (yep, we'll still need to pay for Netflix and Neon separately).

Given Netflix is $25.99/mth for 1080p (I wouldnt want the basic tier myself)... is it worth it?

I guess if you cancel and resubscribe from time to time you can make it cheaper over all... but generally you're at $6/mth more for the same (well less cause I've ignored Neon).

Its up to you - but if pricing is the driver it seems no better off to me 🤷‍♂️

Was wondering the same! Saving $20 a month, but now has to pay $25 a month (roughly) for Netflix and Neon to keep the same service, so the cost to switch is actually ~$30 more expensive. The math aint mathing here. I am a keen proponent of if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I have found the usual deals from the ISP's and power companies have dried up. The practices of bending over backwards to attract new customers doesn't seem to happen anymore. Seems to be a take it or leave it market now.

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

nztim

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#3395916 21-Jul-2025 15:54

taneb1:

We also have a Looking Glass available here - https://lg.as55850.net/ if anyone is wanting to complete traceroutes.

Wellington too please? :)

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

bfginger

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#3405241 17-Aug-2025 21:35

The 100mbit plan is only for Mercury electricity customers assuming the fine print is accurate.