Wellington UFB ISP recommendations

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thewanderingv

185 posts

Master Geek

#195453 20-Apr-2016 15:25

Hi Geek Zoners,

After what has been one hell of an awful house hunting misadventure, we've finally found a home in Khandallah.

While I thought the pizza oven was a bonus, the real treat is that we're on a UFB street.

For many years we were with VF copper, which have been mostly OK barring the short Krapi Kongestion fiasco. But now that UFB is an option, I was wondering whether there were any clear-cut ways to pick the best provider. We're seriously interested in the 200/200 option, which limits the number of providers, but if the best ISPs only offer 100 service, then we'd definitely be open.

Looking at John's Truenet reporting, it doesn't seem that straightforward to differentiate between providers - all of them seem all over the place!

Thoughts, advice, and suggestions most welcome. Sorry for this being yet another post seeking recommendations!

Cheers

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#1536743 20-Apr-2016 15:31

All of the ISPs are much of a muchness.

Spark, bigpipe,2degrees will all be ok.

If you look at the truenet report the ones that have peak time dips on fibre are the ones to avoid.

As with all things. You get what you pay for.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1536832 20-Apr-2016 16:21

'best' really depends on what you actually want from your provider

Contract or no contract?

Is a free 'not very good' modem ok? Or do you need something better? Are you willing to pay for it?

How important is customer service responsiveness and knowledge?

How important is price? Quality?

Would you prefer an ISP that gives you a bunch of stuff up front, but then ignores existing customers? Or an ISP where the incentive to join is lower, but they look after existing customers better?

Exactly how important is quality vs price? e.g. would you be willing to pay $10 more per month for, say, a 5% improvement in speed?

answer these sorts of questions and people can start giving you help on which ISP might be best for you.

quickymart

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#1536884 20-Apr-2016 17:47

I would suggest moving from Vodafone. They may not even offer fibre if cable is available where you are. My $0.02.

Sideface

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#1536888 20-Apr-2016 17:53

quickymart:

I would suggest moving from Vodafone. They may not even offer fibre if cable is available where you are. My $0.02.

WARNING

Remember that in Vodafone-speak, UFB = (smile) Ultra Fast Fibre OR (groan) Ultra Fast Cable - which is best avoided at present because of major problems with peak-hour "cable congestion".

Sideface

timmmay

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#1536943 20-Apr-2016 19:34

I'm not too far from you, I find 2degrees UFB good, fast all the time, and reliable. My next pick, based on what I've read on these forums, might be Bigpipe.

Brumfondl

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#1536946 20-Apr-2016 19:43

If you are willing to ditch the landline or use VoIP instead then a definite +1 for Bigpipe. The only downside you may find is that support is via email. Personally I have never had any issues with it :)

Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#1536958 20-Apr-2016 20:01

Bigpipe of course. (unless you like contracts and landlines)

$129 per month for 200/200

$99 per month for 200/20 (Do you really need 200 up? Maybe save $30 instead)

BYO Router (just needs a WAN port with PPPoE which pretty much every router has) or use their new $99 Huawei HG659 which is a pretty solid option. Or like many on here you could get an overkill router and multiple AP's (new house, structured wiring maybe)

Their current offer is your 1st month free + 6 months free lightbox. There is a one off $49 setup fee and Use my link for $20 free credit if you like

They have cool people on here like @JoshBigpipe and they even sent me steak & chips.

Vodafone are, well, vodafone. They will probably try to sell you cable instead.
Spark are alright but what would cost you $129 on Bigpipe would cost you $149 on Spark, although
Snap was good, many say they've gone downhill since being purchased by 2degrees, but are still probably alright.

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mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#1536962 20-Apr-2016 20:04

Brumfondl:

If you are willing to ditch the landline or use VoIP instead then a definite +1 for Bigpipe. The only downside you may find is that support is via email. Personally I have never had any issues with it :)

That is probably a strength, as no waiting on hold, and dealing with a call centre person often where english isn't their first language, and they are just following flowcharts. They will also actually reply to the email. When you email other ISPs, you are lucky to get a reply, and if you do it is usually at least a days delay, up to a week. My next ISP will propbably be bigpipe, although I would need to find a good and well priced VOIP provider.

Gobit

40 posts

Geek

#1536967 20-Apr-2016 20:15

I've used Inspire as my ISP in Wellington for many, many years. I'm currently using its 100/20 UFB.

Company's based in Palmerston North and has a great support team. You talk with someone in NZ who understand Kiwispeak. Prompt, efficient, helpful.

Over the last 15-odd years in Consumer surveys they've consistently been, if not the top then in the top 3 rated ISPs.

Website here: https://www.inspire.net.nz

Currently offering unlimited residential UFB 200/100 for $130

Cheers, Gobit

thewanderingv

185 posts

Master Geek

#1543518 28-Apr-2016 16:59

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. In the end we went with Orcon, although now we're starting to have some buyer regrets after facing extensive hold times and getting virtually no information on the status of our order. The Chorus consents team were more helpful in replying, but even that avenue of information has dried up. Looking at some of the UFB horror stories, we're a bit worried that our optimistic install time estimates were not just optimistic but total dreams.

Jase2985

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#1543520 28-Apr-2016 17:03

you should expect install times to be at least 3 months in a single dwelling, and 6 months on a Multiple dwelling. anything less is a huge bonus, anything more and it would be annoying but not uncommon.

dont set your expectations too high :)

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1543549 28-Apr-2016 17:59

Wondering why you went for orcon?
Literally nobody in the thread recommended them. If you were going to go for orcon anyway, why bother asking for advice?

JamesL

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#1543554 28-Apr-2016 18:10

orcon was probably the worst choice

should've gone with spark, bigpipe or 2degs

BarTender

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#1543594 28-Apr-2016 19:53

JamesL:

orcon was probably the worst choice

should've gone with spark, bigpipe or 2degs

Heck I even said that... in that order... yet get no +1's :(

Hammerer

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#1543601 28-Apr-2016 20:10

BarTender:

JamesL:

orcon was probably the worst choice

should've gone with spark, bigpipe or 2degs

Heck I even said that... in that order... yet get no +1's :(

An appropriately Dilbertesque result, it seems.

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