Max Fibre: Spark vs Vodafone ??

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Max Fibre: Spark vs Vodafone ??

lalalalaman

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#298507 22-Jun-2022 16:50

Hi everyone,

I am currently on an old Spark broadband plan and am changing to a new broadband/ ISP. The two companies I looked are Spark and Vodafone, and I was wondering which company is more stable and have better/faster internet.

Vodafone (max fibre + landline): $103/ months (24 month contract)--> landline, Modem, TP link Mesh (x20)

Spark (max fibre + landline): $115/months (open, no contract)--> landline, (already have spark modem), free Netflix

I use Netflix and was thinking of buying a Wifi Mesh (Tp link x20) for my home. The price difference in these two cancels out due to Netflix. So by choosing Vodafone, I am essentially saving around $300-400 because of the free Wifi Mesh but only catch is the 24 month contract. I looked at other broadband/ISP, but these two had the best deal at the moment for my personal preference.

My old Spark broadband plan has been pretty good for me, but wondering if I should change to Vodafone as it has a better deal with same/similar fibre speed. Only worry is if choosing Vodafone will make my internet speed slower? My current location is North Shore, Auckland, and I heard that this area uses Spark line?? (i may be very wrong)

Thanks!!

quickymart

13924 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2933244 22-Jun-2022 16:59

Spark line? What does that mean?

If you're on fibre in that area, Chorus will be the fibre company.

Linux

11391 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#2933254 22-Jun-2022 17:37

Both are good providers flip a coin

VodafoneNZ has great support here on Geekzone from the CEO himself Jason Paris

nztim

3812 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

TEAMnetwork

Subscriber

#2933268 22-Jun-2022 19:04

Looks like Spark are doing (at least some) peering now which is a good thing.

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

lalalalaman

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2933274 22-Jun-2022 19:58

I thought chorus provided the Fibre line and Spark has most of it purchased? Is this how it works?

shk292

2853 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2933282 22-Jun-2022 20:33

You can save $7.70 per month by moving your landline to a VOIP provider such as Hero

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2933283 22-Jun-2022 20:34

Hi I think your understanding of exactly how Chorus's network is provisioned by ISPs is slightly distorted.

Sure the bigger ISPs can afford to purchase more backhaul into the network, and have more private backhaul to inject into more areas than purhaps smaller players can.

But bottom line is all top tier ISPs can provision sufficient capacity into the network across all areas such that Contention and slowing of service at peak times is rarely a thing, I include in those top tier Spark, Vodafone, 2deg and all vocus brands. And even most smaller providers don't seem to under provision but YMMV on those smaller players

Cyril

callumb

83 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

Devoli

#2933363 23-Jun-2022 00:34

I hate to break it to you. But they are all the same. It’s internet. Bandwidth is cheap. Pretty much all of the top 6 isps are as good as each other. Pick the cheapest.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Talkiet

4792 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2933424 23-Jun-2022 10:15

callumb: I hate to break it to you. But they are all the same. It’s internet. Bandwidth is cheap. Pretty much all of the top 6 isps are as good as each other. Pick the cheapest.

Not quite true... Even excluding things like support, there are some network differences...

- Number and distribution of CDNs for things like Youtube, Netflix, Facebook etc. Bigger RSPs have more, and are more likely to have them all round the country.

- Number and size of handovers from LFCs, and distribution of BNGs (where you essentially connect to in their network). The bigger the provider the more likely you are to be connected locally rather than have your traffic hauled somewhere else in the country first.

- [other things that aren't public domain information so I can't post here sorry]

For casual use, you're unlikely to experience a difference on most (non tiny) providers, but there are network differences and if you're genuinely looking for the best experience, then consider the 2 main points above.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

lalalalaman

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2933431 23-Jun-2022 10:30

By referring to big companies, are both Spark and Vodafone companies big companies, hence reliable?

cyril7

9058 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Subscriber

#2933439 23-Jun-2022 10:43

As mentioned in my post, the biggest to small, Spark, Vodafone, 2deg, Vocus.

And as we know 2deg and Vocus are now one company.

All the above are good, as are many of the smaller ISPs below that group

Cyril