UFB New Zealand providers

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meow
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#2468068 22-Apr-2020 20:38

Yep - Gigabit speeds gives you some pretty fantastic bragging rights. Just go for it, it isn't much more than 100/20 (which is pretty-much what the NBN is).

You'll also note you'll actually be able to achieve this over Ethernet. WiFi is a bit more of a different story but from when I tested the Spark router I got around 600Mbit down, 500Mbit up on my MacBook Pro over WiFi which is pretty impressive.

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nztim

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#2468093 22-Apr-2020 21:09

Welcome to NZ, as others have said, broadband here actually works properly!

I could recommend in no particular order:

Any Vocus Company (Orcon/Slingshot/flip)

Voyager

2degrees

Spark (Including Skinny/Bigpipe)

I have nothing bad to say nor anything to rave about:

Trustpower

NOWNZ

I would personally stay away from:

Vodafone

MyRepublic

Any company that is not really an ISP (Stuff Fibre, Contact) because when you log a fault, they have to go back to the real company underneath them to get things fixed

-----

I personalty use Bigpipe (part of spark) because I don't need a 1gig connection (100mbps is plenty) but want the 100upload as well as download for $89 p/m

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

dt

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#2468135 22-Apr-2020 22:16

JessTaylor: I have a Spark pre paid mobile that I purchased when I arrived home.

Vodafone tried to sell me a bundle plan with some tv service like Freeview I think with there equipment ( but I've been told it's not real UFB even tho they claim it's just as fast.

So I'll be able to hard wire with a Ethernet cable from the "ONT" or the providers modem? to my computer? Would this be an option with all providers whoever I choose?

I was looking at Orcon I think and they had some small round wifi amplifier you can put on each room to improve connection I think but would rather choose a provider recommended by Geekzone members

Thank you for suggestions, I'm going to sign up over next day or so

Jess

Spark, Orcon, 2degrees are all good options, if either of them can provide you with something that can benefit you, in this case google wifi from Orcon id go with them.. I wouldn't listen to the advice of not going with Orcon due to their support, their contact center is local which is pretty uncommon these days, the support is good and their techs are active on this forum too.

Scott3

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#2468140 22-Apr-2020 22:32

JessTaylor:

having 900/450 with fibre with companies like Spark, 2degrees will still perform better for video conferencing than the Vodafone 1000/500 fibre to the street obviously alot of factors involved, hardware, distance, etc

I am in Wellington.. Yeah Vodafone tried selling me the vodafone tv box.. 1000/500 broadband package but didn't want to commit straight away over phone.

thanking everyone for the help and answers

Vodafone offers both HFC (Cable) & UFB (fiber to the home), but aggressively push HFC in areas they have coverage. They own the HFC network, so their cost structure is cheaper than UFB (where they have to pay wholesale fees).

I haven't used it, but it sounds like the HFC product is "Good" as compared to UFB is Awesome... On a good day, the HFC network will be competitive with UFB, but there are a number of little things that make UFB more desirable:

UFB history of being super stable, and congested (The HFC product has a checkers history although many of the issues of the past have been fixed).
Free UFB installs will expire at some point, best to get connected to that network while it is free.
UFB is more future proof, can handle 10Gbps, Chourus is starting to roll out 2Gbps & 4Gbps consumer plans in some towns, branded as hyper-fiber (not wellington yet)
UFB cabinets are passive, so work even if power is down at the cabinet.
Able to easily switch between ISP's once on UFB
Pings on UFB are great (having tested HFC)

Don't worry about the numbers being just under 1000 for UFB - Different ISP's brand this differently, they all get close to (but not exactly 1Gbps download).

Note that the bandwidth of UFB can easily exceed that of Wifi (Aussie NBN may be so slow as not to have this issue). If you want to have optimal performance and stability for video calling, you are best to have you work computer connected with a cable.

Works as follows:

Network company (Chorus) provides an ONT (optical network terminal box). This can't be moved once installed, mine is in my garage.

Your ISP will send you are router which you can put where-ever you want, (mine is in my office), using a Ethernet cable to connect back to the ONT.

Router will provide WIFI, and will have a few Ethernet ports to plug in hardwired devices. If there are not enough ports, a switch can be added.

Running wires isn't very fun, but you really have to do it (or have it done) if you want to make full use of gigabit connection.

nztim

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#2468495 23-Apr-2020 11:22

Scott3:

I haven't used it, but it sounds like the HFC product is "Good" as compared to UFB is Awesome... On a good day, the HFC network will be competitive with UFB, but there are a number of little things that make UFB more desirable:

HFC is Superior to DSL, Fibre was Superioer to HFC

I was on HFC was years until I brought a house outside an HFC area this was while the rest of the contry was on ADSL2 getting a max of 25mbps I was getting 130/40mbps

Vodafone do push it in areas its available because they get to keep all of the coin as they own the network themselves... They have their own Copper/HFC network completely independent to Chorus

The HFC runs on DOCSIS 3.1 which can technically do 5Gbit/s down and 2Gbit/s up (although not seen any plans offering that speed) and the ping is around 20ms vs 5-10ms on fibre... so if your a Gamer id go with fibre.

The thing I didn't like about been on the HFC network was there were often outages that would stretch for days, (longest was 30ish hours) and customer service was Terrible... this was in 2013 I dont know if things have changed since then.

As above, get Fibre if you can :)

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

quickymart

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#2468573 23-Apr-2020 12:45

I wouldn't go near cable at all now, especially if fibre was available. Pity, as I've said previously, it didn't always used to be like that :(

Andib

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#2468589 23-Apr-2020 12:58

As a note Vodafone WILL install a ufb connection in an HFC area but from experience you have to get a willing sales agent, give them the UFB or nothing speech and hope the wind is in the right direction.

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cyril7

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#2468593 23-Apr-2020 13:01

Andib:

As a note Vodafone WILL install a ufb connection in an HFC area but from experience you have to get a willing sales agent, give them the UFB or nothing speech and hope the wind is in the right direction.

would rather slam my hand repeadly in the cutlery draw than have to go through battle with a voda rep.

Cyril

snnet

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#2468595 23-Apr-2020 13:07

cyril7:

Andib:

As a note Vodafone WILL install a ufb connection in an HFC area but from experience you have to get a willing sales agent, give them the UFB or nothing speech and hope the wind is in the right direction.

would rather slam my hand repeadly in the cutlery draw than have to go through battle with a voda rep.

Cyril

Yeah I mean if they were being that difficult about it why would anyone considering vodafone for service not just ask any other provider? I wouldn't waste my time with them if I _did_ consider them a viable provider

pohutukawa

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#2470897 25-Apr-2020 12:26

Hello Jess

Voyager or Bigpipe (DIY Spark brand).

If you select Voyager, you get the added bonus of catching the attention of the most excellent Cliff https://www.geekzone.co.nz/user_public.asp?user_id=97568 who roams these forums at night when everyone else is sleeping, for cheerful and on-point suggestions for Voyager connection troubleshooting!

JessTaylor: Hello Geekzone members,

I've just moved back to NZ from Australia after 5 years (Covid-19) and am looking at choosing a provider for UFB, I have the chorus connection installed so just need a provider but after living in Australia I don't know much about NZ isp providers

I'm lucky enough to be able to work part time from home but I need a fast upload speed for my live video conferencing between NZ and Europe with my work colleagues ideally I would like the stream to be fluid at 1080p quality I'll be using a Logitech C922.

My make shift office will be in another room away from the chorus box in lounge so I'm not sure how much the wifi will be affected if doors are closed

Can I please have some recommendations on what provider has the fastest upload in NZ and what people here recommend who to sign up with there so many providers now in NZ

Thank you for your help guys, hope everyone is doing well

Jess

JessTaylor

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#2479836 9-May-2020 17:13

Almost signed with Spark 900/400 ...I thought they were offering $200 account credit ATM... but sales team only get $200 credit for Wireless broadband not fibre, ...BUT i see 2degrees are offering $200 credit for there fibre broadband sign up..

michaelmurfy

meow
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#2479866 9-May-2020 18:15

@JessTaylor And 2degrees are great. Go for it :)

Mehrts

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#2479868 9-May-2020 18:21

I've just signed up to Orcon on their "gigantic" 900/500 plan. First three months is free for new customers, which was the only reason why I moved from Slingshot.

I'm tempted to keep moving back & forth between ISPs to take advantage of the "new customer" deals, which is BS in my opinion. But that's how they've decided to work their business models. Same goes for power companies. So I'll play by their games if it means I get a better deal.

Will be interesting to see if there's any noticeable difference between the two providers on my end, as they're part of the same company behind the scenes (Vocus communications).

JessTaylor

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#2479939 9-May-2020 20:36

first three months free sound like a Great Deal but I never seen that deal when looking last week was it over phone? if you jumped ship every few months between isp's wont you end having to pay early termination fees?

nztim

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#2479940 9-May-2020 20:40

Mehrts:

Will be interesting to see if there's any noticeable difference between the two providers on my end, as they're part of the same company behind the scenes (Vocus communications).

Both Vocus Companies, same network, peering, infrastructure

what you will notice is a difference in is support levels (should you need it which I doubt as Vocus have once of NZ's best networks)

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

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