Network confusion (OneNZ, 2degrees)

Forums › One NZ (including Farmside) › Network confusion (OneNZ, 2degrees)

prhnz

30 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#323561 15-Dec-2025 15:43

The problem:

When at home and I want to access the internet from my laptop, I have to turn off wifi (screen goes black, or similar things, otherwise). When wifi is off, I can use the internet. When I am at Lynnmall, for example, all works fine using wifi.

I don’t understand what goes wrong or how to fix it

The setup:

2degrees for internet – they say all is good at their end.

oneNZ for --- actually I am not sure any more, but the main reason I got this connection seems to have been the possibility to raise an alert in case I have a fall. Anyway, OneNZ also say there is no problem.

Additional red herring (or not): about 8 weeks ago OneNZ contacted me, offering a new contract (I don’t really know why, or why I accepted), charges were comparable. That’s roughly when my problems started.

Things have been working beautifully for years, up until now.

I hope some at least of the above makes sense, and that one of you can shed light on the matter and help. Thanks for your help.

1 | 2

1538 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 310

ID Verified

Trusted

#3444271 15-Dec-2025 16:13

Sounds like you have two separate internet connections at home.

Can you confirm what internet connection type you have with 2Degrees, i.e. fibre, xDSL, 4G/5G fixed wireless?

For the OneNZ connection, check your OneNZ invoice for the name of the plan that you are paying for, which may help determine the connection type.

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#3444272 15-Dec-2025 16:13

Are you saying you have two fibre connections, one with OneNZ and one with 2Degrees??

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

Linux

12173 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8469

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3444281 15-Dec-2025 16:54

That is very confusing!

Ragnor

8279 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 585

Trusted

#3444389 16-Dec-2025 00:03

Can you go to your invoices for each provider and/or login to your accounts in each providers website and list the plan details/type?

Most people have

A "fixed" home internet connection usually over fibre (but not always) that is made available to your devices at home via wifi
A "mobile' plan which has call minutes, sms/txt messages and data for your phone

You might also have other a mobile data plans for other devices like: ipads, android tablets, alarm systems

prhnz

30 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#3444478 16-Dec-2025 09:19

Thank you very much for your responses. Please bear with me while I try to answer (and please do not hesitate to ask for clarifications):

Yes, I have 2 separate internet ‘connections’ on my firefox browser; they reach my home via a single fibre cable. One for [email removed], the other for [email removed]. They coexisted happily for years on the firefox browser without bothering each other.

Both 2degrees and OneNZ are fiber, the latter is ‘unlimited fiber 500’. I believe to remember that it was added earlier this year, when my son gave me a smartwatch, so an alarm could be raised in case I took a fall on my walks (luckily did not get tested in earnest).

[Mod edit (MF): removed email accounts to preserve privacy]

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41029

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#3444481 16-Dec-2025 09:35

Hello @prhnz

I'm a stumped here. I'm not sure why have two internet connections (and I presume paying for both) because of a smartwatch. Usually smartwatches connect to a phone via Bluetooth, although some can connect via Wi-Fi or even celullar data as well.

But in any case you shouldn't need two internet connections at home because of that. That is, unless you have the smartwatch connected to the cellular network and someone at one of the telcos decided to upsell and create a (unnecessary) bundle of smartphone + smartwatch + broadband.

Because this is not clear from your posts I suggest you really get advice from someone in person (and preferable not some sales person at a telco store) and sort out this. It sounds like you are paying more than you need, for less reliable services.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

gehenna

8667 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3883

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3444498 16-Dec-2025 10:06

This is a bananas setup, but the comment here starts to explain a few things: "I don’t really know why, or why I accepted". Op needs to go back to first principles. There's no obvious need for there to be two independent internet connections/accounts/providers. That's like having two Sky accounts just so one Sky box watches TV and the other watches Sport, but both plugged into the same TV and neither need to be watched at the same time.

Op - don't just accept new contract terms without understanding what they are, or what you need, or what you have. Go back to the basics - define the experience you need (e.g. one internet connection that works for all my devices and all the things I do with them), and then build from there until you reach a point where your desired experience requires two connections. I guarantee you won't reach that point.

alasta

6888 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 3362

Trusted

Subscriber

#3444523 16-Dec-2025 11:42

It might be helpful if the OP can refer back to the latest invoices from each of the two suppliers and provide the details of the services supplied by each. Obviously be careful not to post any sensitive information - we just need to see the exact detail of what s/he is being billed for.

xpd

Geek of Coastguard
14115 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4574

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3444578 16-Dec-2025 14:42

I think the OP needs to start from scratch.

You have two fiber internet connections at home ? If so, can we ask why ? (Don't need full details) - some people do for business reasons, geeks, etc. But it sounds like someone almost scammed you into signing up for a second connection.

Your first line from the first post, sounds like you have some issue with your laptop and the wifi.

Accessing multiple email accounts does not require anything special - I assume you use webmail (from your Firefox comments) ? Regardless, when you say its not working anymore (the way I read it anyway), can you give more info around this ? Error messages, email provider etc

Using a smartwatch as others have mentioned, usually replies on Bluetooth connecting to your phone which will use mobile data or wifi for its connectivity. A second dedicated fiber connect is NOT needed. It can share happily with a standard connection with your laptop/desktop/tv/console etc.

Was the smartwatch part of some promotion, "sign up for fiber for one year and get a free smartwatch" and your son thought you'd cancel the other connection ?

But I could be reading things completely wrong and feel free to say so :)

XPD / Gavin

LinkTree

snj

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 221

#3444587 16-Dec-2025 15:14

Hmmm, which part of the country are you in? By any chance are you in Wellington and have a One NZ cable connection that is getting retired? (Edit: Nevermind just realised you said Lynnmall which is of course Auckland)

A couple of your comments in particular have me wondering about this... In particular:

"oneNZ for --- actually I am not sure any more, but the main reason I got this connection seems to have been the possibility to raise an alert in case I have a fall."

Are you talking about a Medical Alarm? (St John/ADT/etc) Potentially an old one that is wired to a telephone jack.

Rickles

3107 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 445

Trusted

#3444588 16-Dec-2025 15:17

I see and hear these sorts of questions quite often from Seniornet members, and I'm hazarding a guess that prhnz is in this category.

Perhaps a kindly GZ local could talk to or visit him with sage advice ... or refer him to a suitable organisation? There are Seniornet centers around Auckland suburbs who may be able to assist.

Mighty Ape

Shop now at Mighty Ape (affiliate link).

richms

29098 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 10207

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3444589 16-Dec-2025 15:18

I do know someone that ended up with 2 connections because they had a saint johns alarm and that was on the copper line, but they had fibre installed and then the copper got upgraded to fibre for some reason so there were 2 active connections with 2 routers set up because they thought they needed them even tho the saint johns alarm was swapped for something that didnt use the phone.

Richard rich.ms

snj

305 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 221

#3444590 16-Dec-2025 15:19

Rickles:

I see and hear these sorts of questions quite often from Seniornet members, and I'm hazarding a guess that prhnz is in this category.

Perhaps a kindly GZ local could talk to or visit him with sage advice ... or refer him to a suitable organisation? There are Seniornet centers around Auckland suburbs who may be able to assist.

Yeah I was thinking of offering myself now I've realised that it's Auckland, seems throughly confusing. Will be interested to hear back on the medical alarm, as I wonder if it's from a time when One (or I guess Vodafone back then) might've offered compatible landline connections.

Goosey

3014 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 867

Subscriber

#3445942 20-Dec-2025 11:06

If someone does offer their help…

If it ends up there are two ISP connections….check to see if the “owner” uses ISP email address for things like banking, MSD/Winz, IRD, Power, council rates, any super/kiwisaver plans, insurance, council water, doctors, phamacy, anything else….

decibel

335 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 224

#3446091 20-Dec-2025 19:01

prhnz:

Additional red herring (or not): about 8 weeks ago OneNZ contacted me, offering a new contract (I don’t really know why, or why I accepted), charges were comparable. That’s roughly when my problems started.

On this new contract, did they send you a new router? If so, did you change the wifi password? or rather did you leave your laptop on the old one.

When you say the internet works when you turn off the wifi, is that because you have an ethernet cable plugged in?

1 | 2