Looking for advice for choosing between Slingshot (Current ISP), BigPipe and 2Degrees

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Looking for advice for choosing between Slingshot (Current ISP), BigPipe and 2Degrees

Riv

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Wannabe Geek

#180972 28-Sep-2015 13:29

Hi all!

I've recently moved address to a location that can be connected to fibre, so I'm weighing up ISPs before I get locked into a contract with Slingshot, which is my current ISP.

I don't want to be the sort of person that changes ISPs just because of a single bad experience, but the address move with Slingshot was a nightmare. It's a shame because I had very good experiences with them when I started about 3-4 years ago, but it seems the customer support has gotten a bit worse.
I won't go into the gory details, as that's not what this is about, but it's made me cautious about signing a contract with them for fibre.

So I'll put what I feel are the pros and cons about the three ISPs for me, and hopefully some of you smart people can point me in the right direction.

-----------------------------

Slingshot

Pros:

Wouldn't need to change ISP

Cons:

Recent bad experiences with customer support
Caps at 100mbs
Won't be able to used my current modem (I think)
Doesn't have my address listed on their website as fibre available

-----------------------------

BigPipe

Pros:

Has 200/20, which would be my preferred speeds
No contract
Has simple fibre only plans that should allow me to not need a new modem (correct me if I am wrong on this, I currently have ASUS DSL-N55U Gigabit modem)
My address is listed on their website as fibre available

Cons:

Need to change ISP

-----------------------------

2Degrees

Pros:

Has 200/20
I use 2Degrees for my monthly mobile plan, so can get $10 off

Cons:

Need to change ISP
Doesn't seem to have fibre only plans, need to used their modem
Doesn't have my address listed as fibre available on their website

-----------------------------

On paper I would say that BigPipe looks like the best option for me, since I don't particularly need a land line phone connection. However the 2Degrees mobile perks are quite nice as well.
And then there is the hassle of changing ISPs in the first place to consider.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and help me out!

PeterReader

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#1395738 28-Sep-2015 13:29

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?

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DarkShadow

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#1395761 28-Sep-2015 13:53

You're going from DSL to UFB right? This is a easier switch over than than switching ISPs on DSL.

Since the UFB connection is entirely separate to DSL, your current DSL connection won't be interrupted in the meantime.

Simply sign up to UFB with the new ISP, and wait to be connected. After it is connected and working, cut your DSL.

Riv

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1395800 28-Sep-2015 14:27

Ah I didn't realise, thanks!

Lias

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#1395801 28-Sep-2015 14:31

I'd choose BigPipe out of your listed options personally..

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup. Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

sidefx

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#1395826 28-Sep-2015 15:01

Given you have mobiles with 2 degrees and can get the discount, I'd probably lean towards them. Will you be supplying your own router? If not or you need a new one, the fritzbox is an excellent unit IMO, so another bonus for them. You can use your own router with them I think, they just won't support it so you'd need to sort that out yourself. Them not listing your address as UFB doesn't mean much - ring them and find out for sure - be sure to let them know another ISP is showing it as available as it may just be their database isn't up to date.

If you didn't have mobile with them, I'd possibly lean towards Big Pipe.

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Detruire

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#1395865 28-Sep-2015 15:55

Personally, I would go with Bigpipe.

We had Slingshot UFB at the last flat, and while I didn't have many complaints about the connection (once active), I did have a terrible experience getting connected due to Slingshot-caused delays and issues with the phone component (and associated billing.)

When we moved, I decided that it wasn't worth the hassle of dealing with Slingshot anymore and moved to Bigpipe. Only reason I'd consider going back would be if fibre arrives here and Bigpipe still hasn't.

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Aredwood

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#1396225 29-Sep-2015 00:04

2degrees definitely have "internet only" plans (naked fibre). And yes customer supplied routers definitely work with them as long as it supports PPPoE and VLAN tagging. Their voice service is locked down to the fritzbox though. But since you don't want voice anyway........

Although an advantage for Bigpipe is that their connections don't have VLAN tagging. So there are some routers that will work with them but not 2degrees or most other ISPs. Apple airport being the best example.

michaelmurfy

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#1396227 29-Sep-2015 00:13

I would recommend BigPipe or 2degrees out of that list.

I am on 2degrees 200/200 UFB with an Edgerouter Lite so you can indeed use your own router if you so desire just as long as it supports VLAN Tagging. The Fritz!Box isn't all that bad either if you're just needing internet. To be honest with what I keep reading everywhere (not just on Geekzone) I wouldn't touch Slingshot however since I have never been with them I can't comment on a customer level.

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