Would you recommend Bigpipe?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Would you recommend Bigpipe?

vargind

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#268163 2-Mar-2020 20:33

I'm moving to a new address soon and agonising over choosing an ISP. I want to get that high-speed 900/450 type connection. I've been doing as much research as I can stand, and I've read a lot of opinions, but I haven't actually found a lot of strong opinions at all about BigPipe. At the moment I'm thinking that it seems to cost $109 a month vs less than $100 for the same speed from a few other ISPs, which makes me curious.

What does my extra $10 a month get me?

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242 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2430460 2-Mar-2020 21:10

I'm with Bigpipe, on the 100/100 plan, haven't had any issues. I only dealt with their support team at signup, they seem to know what they are doing.

Actually moved to the 100/100 from a 950/500 plan at another provider. The higher speed didn't seem worth it, and I only had the faster plan to get a decent Upload. Once the 100 Mbps upload was released I could downgrade.

Have you factored in all the "freebies" BP has a 3 months free offer, factoring that in over two years it works out to ~$95 p/mth, for one year it works out to be ~$82 p/mth.

Mighty Ape

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xpd

aka Fast Raccoon !
12998 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

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Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2431455 2-Mar-2020 21:54

I'm with them on the 100/100 as well, cant fault them. Just keep in mind though, they don't offer voice services if you still need that.

One off fee for static if needed, but no PTR.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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pj2019

18 posts

Geek

#2431512 2-Mar-2020 22:42

Shame that seems you missed out the 2degrees FIber max promo!

There are few providers out there give open term for new customer, this could be your option in the interim.

guyl

118 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#2431546 3-Mar-2020 07:34

They are all fine and dandy until something goes wrong...

Please don't go anywhere near them.

guyl

118 posts

Master Geek

ID Verified

#2431547 3-Mar-2020 07:38

What about 2Degrees? $100 per month for the full speed plan, plus $200 credit and Amazon prime thrown in.

Plus, they have competent staff who answer the phone when you have an issue...

Voyager is another I can highly recommend.

gbwelly

1206 posts

Uber Geek

#2431558 3-Mar-2020 08:33

guyl:

They are all fine and dandy until something goes wrong...

Please don't go anywhere near them.

I have found their fault resolution fine in the 2 times I have needed help. I just disconnect my phone from the wifi, log in and start a chat. First thing is ask the bot for a human and then it's no different to talking to someone on the phone.

I came from HFC with Vodafone so perhaps my expectations were so low it has clouded my judgement?

trig42

5604 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2431559 3-Mar-2020 08:51

I was with them, and had no issues.

Changed to Spark to get the Lightbox and Netflix deals on Unplan entertainment. Spark have been great as well.

Lostja

238 posts

Master Geek

#2431723 3-Mar-2020 12:40

If all goes well, no problem

I have had numerous issues with my ADSL connection and the flurry of emails that say they are experiencing an extra high volume of customer queries each time makes me belief that is their go to answer.

Couple of times they said they couldn't see anything unusual on my connection but when I said the problem still existed they all of sudden found an issue to the point Chorus had to come out to the house..

I will be glad to see the back of them when I move house.

PANiCnz

936 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2432214 4-Mar-2020 08:23

If you need a static IP their price is a lot more competitive, most ISP's charge $10-$15 per month on top of their monthly plan costs, whereas Bigpipe is a one-off cost of $45 when you sign up. As already mentioned their support can be hit and miss given its only via email, but given the reliability of Fibre its not like you need to contact them often. If you don't need a static IP address 2Degrees is probably a better option.

nztim

2819 posts

Uber Geek

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TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#2432230 4-Mar-2020 09:23

Bigpipe meets my needs, 100/100 with for $89 with no monthly cost for a static IP (just a once off $49 is hard to beat)

However as people on geekzone have pointed out Spark (Who owns Bigpipe) don't peer with the cloudflare node in Auckland so traffic to certain websites is routed overseas - see this thread https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=49&topicid=268093

Example Below

From My Work

C:\Users\timl>ping www.playtech.co.nz

Pinging www.playtech.co.nz [104.26.14.223] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 104.26.14.223: bytes=32 time=13ms TTL=61
Reply from 104.26.14.223: bytes=32 time=11ms TTL=61
Reply from 104.26.14.223: bytes=32 time=12ms TTL=61
Reply from 104.26.14.223: bytes=32 time=11ms TTL=61

From my Bigpipe at Home

C:\Users\lawt>ping www.playtech.co.nz

Pinging www.playtech.co.nz [104.26.15.223] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 104.26.15.223: bytes=32 time=152ms TTL=53
Reply from 104.26.15.223: bytes=32 time=153ms TTL=53
Reply from 104.26.15.223: bytes=32 time=154ms TTL=53
Reply from 104.26.15.223: bytes=32 time=152ms TTL=53

As you can see there is a latency difference of about 120ms in the real world though this is not really that noticeable to me until something breaks

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

phrozenpenguin

762 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2432252 4-Mar-2020 09:50

I'm with bigpipe but not sure I would choose them if starting again now with a new provider. They seem to have been absorbed back into Spark and just another brand, as opposed to an actual separate business venture. I might be wrong but that's the impression I get.

Support has been hit and miss when I have had issues; generally had to prompt via sales (which respond quickly) instead of support (tickets not replied to after a couple of days).

When I signed up the open term, bring your own modem, decent tech support, fixed price static IP were all factors that helped; and I had no need for a POTS line.

pistol

39 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#2432254 4-Mar-2020 09:57

BigPipe were ok when we were with them.

Just signed up with Slingshot who also have 3 months free if you lock in for a year.
Works out to be around $75 a month for their 900/450 plan.

Shindig

1359 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2432474 4-Mar-2020 14:08

I've used bigPipe since they came on board.

No issue with them at all.

The little things make the biggest difference.

vargind

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2432607 4-Mar-2020 17:01

OK, thanks for your opinions.

cheeryking

11 posts

Geek

#2495612 31-May-2020 11:40

Moving to an Auckland Central apartment that has fibre installed but never had any ISP connected (a new building).

Bigpipe seems to be having the best deals. works out $59.25 a month on a 12 month term. Free modem&postage and connection! My internet requirement is basic.

Is the modem for me to keep? Its not clear if its a rental.

How soon can the connection be made? Can the modem be sent to a different address?

Thanks.

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