Best ISP in NZ?

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Ripper

9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#138168 22-Dec-2013 22:52

I know it's a general question, but I'm trying to get an idea of what people consider to be the optimum ISP at the moment.

We're with Vodafone currently, due to a good package deal we got a while ago, but with the ever falling prices we're now just as well off to sort everything out separately.

Ideally we'd have at least 80 gigs of internet a month, and obviously speeds are important, but so too is customer service and the like.

What are people's thoughts on the topic?

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#956344 22-Dec-2013 22:52

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

nakedmolerat

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#956352 22-Dec-2013 23:00

How much are you willing to pay?

hellonearthisman

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#956357 22-Dec-2013 23:34

I think Snap is pretty good and they have won so many awards in recent years for being NZ's best ISP and as a user I can see why. Very good helpdesk too.

AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#956361 22-Dec-2013 23:44

The "best" ISP really depends on your needs.

Consider the following factors:
- Price range you're looking in
- Monthly data cap you "need"
- What landline calling options you need
- What internet technology can you get/want (Fibre, VDSL, etc)
- Upgradability in the future (eg adding data blocks, etc)
- Location

Each ISP has their pros and cons (of course), it just depends on which gives you the most pros and least cons based off your requirements.

Personally, I'm with Vodafone as they offer the perfect data package size and the MySky upgrade which means they're one of the cheapest (for us). Along with this they use their own ADSL hardware within Chorus's exchange (for my street) so I get "better" speeds with them, than with any other ISP. However if I could get fibre or VDSL I'd be with a different ISP.

I'd most likely be with SNAP if I was in "zone" for VDSL/Fibre.

-A

mikenzb

371 posts

Ultimate Geek

#956362 22-Dec-2013 23:46

1+ For Snap Too.

By far the best ISP I've been with and their help desk is opened 24/7 too so u can ring anytime when you have a issue.

michaelmurfy

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#956363 22-Dec-2013 23:52

If Money is not an issue I'd recommend Unleash, great speeds, latency, reliability and the help desk is very good with support calls (you're talking to an actual tech when you call up)

Else Telecom or Snap for your standard ISP's.

kyhwana2

2466 posts

Uber Geek

#956364 23-Dec-2013 00:08

+1 for Telecom VDSL. We can regularly pull our 45mbit line rate (minus overhead) even during peak times..

jamesrobert

90 posts

Master Geek

#956392 23-Dec-2013 09:18

If you're in Hawke's Bay or Rotorua - NOW NZ, no contest :)

sidefx

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#956394 23-Dec-2013 09:24

Another +1 for snap. The only area where it seems they need a bit of work on their processes is communication with new customers, before connection. I seem to recall having to ring a few times when I signed up to get progress reports, find out what I needed to do next, etc, and I see others having similar issues. Their helpdesk always seems outstanding though, and once you get connected they are absolutely flawless (at least they have been for me)

JayADee

1744 posts

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#956517 23-Dec-2013 11:50

AidanS: The "best" ISP really depends on your needs.

Consider the following factors:
- Price range you're looking in
- Monthly data cap you "need"
- What landline calling options you need
- What internet technology can you get/want (Fibre, VDSL, etc)
- Upgradability in the future (eg adding data blocks, etc)
- Location

Each ISP has their pros and cons (of course), it just depends on which gives you the most pros and least cons based off your requirements.

Personally, I'm with Vodafone as they offer the perfect data package size and the MySky upgrade which means they're one of the cheapest (for us). Along with this they use their own ADSL hardware within Chorus's exchange (for my street) so I get "better" speeds with them, than with any other ISP. However if I could get fibre or VDSL I'd be with a different ISP.

I'd most likely be with SNAP if I was in "zone" for VDSL/Fibre.

-A

This plus the post above mine regarding Snap. I like Snap's flexible data packs and free download at night with a pack. CS treats you like you do actually have a brain and they're very polite. Their prices are good too for our needs. But good value is going to depend hugely on what you want bundled with it. For us the free national calls, VoIP and VDSL it works out very well. If I was a heavy cell phone user I'd probably try to find a plan that integrated that- it would work out cheaper. NOW might be worth a look.

hio77

'That VDSL Cat'
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Spark

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#956531 23-Dec-2013 12:09

ild go for snap, they have been great. their network is great.. best i have ever used throughout the many isps i have tried.

#include <std_disclaimer>

Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

raytaylor

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#956533 23-Dec-2013 12:11

If you happen to live in the middle of nowhere, in hawkes bay, then taylor communications is the bestest of all the internets

Ray Taylor
Taylor Broadband (rural hawkes bay)
www.ruralkiwi.com

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For my general guide to extending your wireless network Click Here

GRISDALE

23 posts

Geek

#956539 23-Dec-2013 12:29

+1 for SNAP

jarledb

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#956546 23-Dec-2013 12:48

+1 for Snap here too. Had good experience with them both where I live now and in Wellington where Orcon was just mucking about on the poor souls that needed the internets.

jawnbc

93 posts

Master Geek

#961954 6-Jan-2014 15:16

Am moving house in January and looking at switching from Telecom ADSL to another ISP. Sadly the new address isn't UFB or VDSL enabled.

Snap seems to have a lot of extra charges: for set up, for the modem, installation. Are they really that much better than other ISPs? Or are these charges "negotiable" from others' on here's experiences?

Cheers!

sidefx: Another +1 for snap. The only area where it seems they need a bit of work on their processes is communication with new customers, before connection. I seem to recall having to ring a few times when I signed up to get progress reports, find out what I needed to do next, etc, and I see others having similar issues. Their helpdesk always seems outstanding though, and once you get connected they are absolutely flawless (at least they have been for me)

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