UFB New Zealand providers

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JessTaylor

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#270079 22-Apr-2020 13:38

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

1 | 2 | 3

Sheldon
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#2467866 22-Apr-2020 13:59

Jess - Have you signed up for a Mobile provider yet?
If so (or if not ) the bigger telco's offer bundles which will save you some money.

We have BB and mobile through 2Degrees and it's been good, and pricing is good.

Try this Geekzone tool for feature comparisons. https://broadband.geekzone.co.nz/

Sheldon Lendrum
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cyril7

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#2467867 22-Apr-2020 13:59

Hi, firstly comparing what you get in Au and NZ will not work, on fibre your plan will be a 100/20 or 900/450 or if you are doing lots from home maybe look at a 100/100 plan if you dont want a 900/450 but would like a better upload, regardless this is essentially what you will get. Unlike Au there is non of this CVC cr@p, as long as an ISP has sufficient backhaul into Chorus's network then the whole thing is uncongested, and Chorus ensure it is at every point and keep ISP's notified if they need to increase backhaul capacity. as I said its nothing like Au. Also being fibre speeds are not impacted by line conditions.

As for ISPs I recommend you go with one of the major ISPs like Spark (or Bigpipe which is Spark), 2Degrees, or one of the Vocus brands like Voyager.

As for smooth 1080 streaming to team mates in Europe, the limitation will be at the Europe and and the limitation of transiting so far, it is unlikely to be an issue this end.

If you can run a cable from the ONT to your work area, if you want good video streaming, dont rely on Wireless.

Cyril

chevrolux

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#2467869 22-Apr-2020 14:00

The choice thing about UFB in NZ is the speeds are all standardised across carriers.

The downside though is most of them just do the (download/upload in Mbps) 100/20, 200/20 or "Fibre Max" which is 1000/500. Not many will do the 100/100 or 200/200 for residential customers. Realistically, the way things are priced, there isn't much reason to not just get "Fibre Max".

As for streaming 1080p on video conferencing, the only real limiting factor will be the platform (Zoom, Skype, Teams etc), not your UFB connection.

My choices go in this order, and are based on price, support and my general opinion of the company:

1. Voyager (they have a sweet price for 1000/500)
2. 2degrees (a good option to bundle mobile with broadband)
3. Spark

99. Vodafone

Power companies or media companies should not be considered as ISP's IMHO - Nova, Trustpower, Contact, Stuff.

Edit: after reading @SomeoneSomewhere comment about power companies.

cyril7

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#2467872 22-Apr-2020 14:02

Sam you forgot to put MyRepublic at 98

Cyril

chevrolux

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#2467873 22-Apr-2020 14:04

cyril7:

or one of the Vocus brands like Voyager.

Don't let Seeby hear you say that! Wouldn't be happy being lumped in with Vocus haha!

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2467875 22-Apr-2020 14:08

Most providers offer 100/20, 200/20, and 900/450 speeds - though there are others. You are probably fine at 100/20 but I would not want to go lower, particularly on the upload.

I would avoid the 'bargain' and rebundled services - Orcon/Slingshot/Stuff/MyRepublic and Contact/Trustpower/Nova. The customer support if anything goes wrong is apparently not great.

Vodafone is just not worth dealing with.

I've heard very good things about Voyager. Spark and 2degrees are generally good. Not sure about Skinny, but they're owned by Spark.

Re WiFi, it's unlikely to be affected by doors. If you're in a standalone house with little interference, WiFi should be fine a couple of rooms away. If it's in an apartment building or there's a lot of other people around, you really want to consider hardwiring it.

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Scott3

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#2467878 22-Apr-2020 14:09

In short, pritty much any ufb plan will be suffichet to run a decent video call.

Pritty much every provider offers a gig or max plan that is rated at around 950/450 mbps (down/up)

I'm with 2 degrees on their max plan.

Spark (incl bagpipe and skinny) have a good reputation.

Vodafone has a reputation for bad customer service, but technically they have fine proformance.

General advice is to avoid media and power company owned isp's.

Wakrak

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#2467890 22-Apr-2020 14:20

Been on the Slingshot 100/20 fibre plan for the past three years and they have given me good deals over the years to keep me as a customer, especially when something went wrong (and it wasn't their fault). You can add a mobile plan to it as well for a discount, but not sure how good it is. Have been doing zoom calls to San Francisco / L.A through 5G wifi and it has been decent. A few people have noted that the wifi overall with the slingshot provided modem isn't the greatest, but I can't judge fully for myself since I live in a small apartment.

Might be some good sign up deals floating around as well (3/6 months at 50% off etc).

JessTaylor

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#2467895 22-Apr-2020 14:32

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

cyril7

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#2467897 22-Apr-2020 14:37

Hi, based on your comment about Voda, I presume you are in ChCh or Welly, and they were going to try sell you FibreX which is infact cable based, ie not real fibre, I recommend you avoid.

All the ISPs will supply a router that has both wired and wireless connections, obviously if you can move the router closer to where you are and not out in the garage then you will be able to get better wifi performance from it and be able to plug into it.

Cyril

michaelmurfy

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#2467909 22-Apr-2020 14:51

@JessTaylor Personally, based off what you've said I think Spark may be a great fit for you. I wouldn't go with Orcon from a support perspective IMO.

With Spark, you get a rather great router to start off with - this plugs directly into your ONT via Ethernet. From there, you're able to buy WiFi mesh units from them (https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/internet/spark-smart-mesh/) if required. With Orcon they rent you Google WiFi which is not great as it doesn't work with New Zealand Fibre directly so you're required to use their router (which is pretty basic).

In regards to the best out of box experience I think Spark and 2degrees are right up there - the routers they provide are great, and they both have options to extend coverage if required.

Also, welcome to New Zealand where broadband is actually great!

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
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#2467926 22-Apr-2020 15:02

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.

If you want a single bill, go with Spark. An alternative is 2degrees.

Vodafone offers both fibre and cable (HFC) but the branding is terrible so if you want to avoid problems with getting the wrong service don't go there. Also the TV box Vodafone distributes with the plan is the old model, and only works on Vodafone.

If you need a TV and can't get Freeview then the new Vodafone TV Gen2 works with any provider and you can buy from retail - with apps for Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and SKY. Mind you this box uses streaming so if you use it with a plan, get an unlimited one.

JessTaylor:

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?

Yes, you connect the ONT to the router - from the router to your computer, phone, TV will be your option of ethernet or WiFi.

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JessTaylor

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2467997 22-Apr-2020 17:37

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