Internet services are improving in New Zealand.
Internet Connections
– The Choices
1. Broadband / ADSL / VDSL
The table below lists broadband prices from several companies.
Most broadband plans in New Zealand traditionally had a data cap, however now over 70 percent of all broadband internet connections are uncapped.
Fibre connections account for 32 percent of all broadband connections. They can deliver speeds of over 200Mb.
Spark’s (formerly known as Telecom) network delivers broadband to most New Zealanders.
Smaller companies compete with Spark but they still use Spark’s network to carry their service.
You can test whether broadband is available in any location using the national broadband map .
You can zoom in to check the exact street if required.
If you are situated close to a broadband exchange cabinet, you may be able to get VDSL which uses the same copper lines as ADSL but gives you much faster broadband. Typical speeds can be up to 3x faster than standard broadband.
Copper based connections (ADSL / VDSL) remain the most common type of broadband, making up around 54% of the broadband market. (1)
2019 Typical Landline ADSL / VDSL / Broadband Prices
| Provider | Monthly Traffic Allowed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Orcon | unlimited | $99.95 for 12 months contract plus $14.95 one off charges |
| Vodafone | 240 GB | $82.99 for 24 months contract, reduced by $10 for on account mobile customers |
| Spark | 60 GB | $75.00 for 12 month contract, includes Spark fixed line home phone |
| Spark | unlimited GB | $95 for 12 month contract, includes Spark fixed line home phone |
Notes:
• New Zealand is currently upgrading to ultra-fast broadband (UFB) in its towns and cities. This upgrade is expected to be complete in 2024. You can check on this map to see if UFB is available in your area.
• UFB will allow download speeds of at least 100 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 50 Mbps. Prices for this service are in table 3. UFB phase 2 began in late 2017 and will cover 151 more towns and 43 fringe areas.
• If you are close to your data maximum, most ISP’s will send you a reminder and give you the option to increase your date allowance.
• Most internet providers give you an option to either throttle your connection back to 128 Kbps (three times faster than dial-up) for the remainder of the month or to pay for extra data over your cap.
• Unlimited data option usually has a fair use policy. Over 70 percent of all broadband internet connections had no data cap.(1).
• Spark offers VDSL speeds at the same price, subject to location. Vodaphone offers VDSL and fibre speeds at the same price, subject to location.
2. Naked Broadband / DSL
With Naked Broadband you do not need to purchase a traditional land-line phone package.
2019 Typical Naked ADSL / VDSL Broadband Prices
| Provider | Monthly Traffic Allowed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skinny | unlimited GB | $73 and conection fees apply or free for 12 month term |
| Orcon | unlimited | $94.95 plus $14.95 one off charges |
| Inspire | unlimited GB | $85 for 12 months contract, add $25 for an open term |
| Compass Communications | unlimited | $74.95 with free connection for a 24 month sign up. |
| Vodafone | 60 GB | $39.99 open term including $10 discount with eligible ON Mobile Account |
| Vodafone | unlimited GB | $72.99 including $10 discount with eligible ON Mobile Account for a 12 month sign up. |
| Spark | unlimited GB | $85 for 12 month contract with ADSL |
| Spark | 60 GB | $65 for 12 month contract with VDSL |
3. Fibre Broadband / Cable
Cable Internet uses fibre-optic cable to carry data. Cable is faster than the ADSL broadband with speeds up to up to 100 Mbps download or greater.
Ultra Fast Cable with speeds up to 900 Mbps download, 400 Mbps upload is available.
Vodafone offer cable connections in and around Wellington, the Kapati coast and parts of Christchurch.
Ultra-fast broadband (UFB) prices are also included here.
Fibre optic broadband connections are the fastest growing type of internet connection in New Zealand and make up 21 percent of all broadband connections.(1).
2019 Ultrafast Fibre / Cable Prices
| Provider | Monthly Traffic Allowed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | unlimited GB | $72.99 for cable or fibre UFB, includes $10 discount for ON Mobile Account, (12 month term) |
| Inspire | 100 GB | $75 for UFB with standard speeds 100/20 Mbit, (12 month term) |
| Inspire | 250 GB | $110 for UFB with premium fibrespeeds 950/450 Mbit, (12 month term) |
| Inspire | unlimited GB | $120 for UFB with speeds 950/450 Mbit, (12 month term) |
| Orcon | unlimited GB | $84.95 for UFB with speeds 200Mbps down / 20 Mbps up (plus $14.95 one off-charges, 12 month term) |
| Orcon | unlimited GB | $99.95 for UFB with speeds 900Mbps down / 450 Mbps up (plus $14.95 one off-charges, 12 month term) |
| Spark | unlimited GB | $89 for UFB (12 month contract) with speeds 100 Mbps down |
| Spark | unlimited GB | $120 for UFB (12 month contract) with speeds 900 Mbps down |
4. Wireless / Mobile Broadband
You don’t need a telephone line for wireless Internet, but you do need to be close to a transmitter. Several wireless companies operate in New Zealand. Some examples of 2019 prices are:
Vodafone offers mobile broadband. Their prepay plan for 1GB of data costs $20.99 and lasts 30 days. Their prepay plan for 2GB of data costs $40.99 and also lasts 30 days.
2degrees has a national mobile network that covers 97% of where people live and work. You can choose between pay monthly or prepaid data packs.
Skinny also has pay monthly mobile broadband abd starts from $9 a month for a 28 day mobile phone plan which includes 250 MB of data.
Wireless broadband is gradually being installed in rural New Zealand. When completed, it will bring wireless broadband to 86% of rural houses and businesses at speeds of at least 5Mbps.
2019 Wireless / Mobile Broadband Prices
| Provider | Network | Monthly Traffic Allowed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skinny | 4G network | 60 GB | $39 |
| Skinny | 4G network | 120 GB | $40 |
| Vodafone Supreme | 4G network | 5 GB | $70.99 with eligible Mobile ON plan |
| 2degrees Mobile Data Pack | 3G and 4G network | 0.5 GB | $10 |
| 2degrees Mobile Data Pack | 3G and 4G network | 1 GB | $20 |
| 2degrees Mobile Data Pack | 3G and 4G network | 15 GB | $50 |
| Wirelessnation | 3G and 4G network | 65 GB | $89.90 Rural Wireless Broadband plus 50 GB data off peak |
| Wirelessnation | 3G and 4G network | 200 GB | $159.90 Rural Wireless Broadband |
| Slingshot | 4G network | 6 GB | $43 mobile phone plan |
| Spark Naked Home Wireless Rural | 4G network | 120 GB | $95.99 |
5. Satellite Internet
If you need a connection in a remote area, Satellite Internet is the usual solution. Satellite is available virtually anywhere in New Zealand, no matter how remote you live. Satellite internet is more expensive than broadband.
Installation costs are higher than standard broadband (approx $900) and you will need a satellite dish. Farmside and Wirelessnation offer satellite services. To increase data allowance Farmside also have data booster and off-peak data booster packages.
2019 Satellite Prices
| Provider | Speed Downstream Upstream | Monthly Traffic Allowed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmside | 10Mbps download 2Mbps upload | 10 GB (20GB off peak) | $139 |
| Farmside | 16Mbps download 2Mbps upload | 20 GB (40GB off peak) | $190 |
| Wirelessnation | – | 10GB (free 10GB off peak data) | $135 |
| Farmside | 16Mbps download 2Mbps upload | 30 GB (60GB off peak) | $269 |
| Wirelessnation | – | unlimited (speeds reduced after 80GB) | $199 |
(1) Statistics New Zealand Internet Surveys
What a joke $10 for 0.5 Gb per month
Go to one website and all the data is gone.
I do not carry a cell phone with my anymore because of “data eating” websites, as soon as I go near a website all my data is gone
I have just moved about 3 minutes down the road from the “centre of town” in the small rural Dunedin suburb of Waikouaiti to a lifestyle block on the outskirts of town. On the phone Vodafone tell me I should be getting 5mbps (download), but their website says only 1mbps (download) and a speed test seems to read 1mbps (download) before it times out. They tell me all providers in my area will be constrained to the same lines. Is that true?
Mobile internet: this forum seems to have a Vodafone/Spark(Telecom bias).
There are three mobile networks in NZ. Vodafone, Spark (XT mobile) and 2Degrees. Skinny mobile is a virtual network run by Spark (skinny has per week pricing).
Personally I recommend that visitors to New Zealand who want mobile broadband use 2Degrees. their prepay packages for 2G and 12GB generally cost half as much as the others. 2Degrees has slightly limited coverage, but is in all main cities, towns and most rural areas.
Cellular coverage on all three networks is excellent and usually fast 3Mbit to 10Mbit 3G, 10 to 75Mbit on 4G.
If you are going to be staying in the country side, that is not even in a town, use Vodafone in the north island and Spark in the south island (I travel all of NZ for work and have a phone on each network). If you are staying in towns or cities use 2Degrees nation wide (its cheaper).
Spark, Vodafone and 2Degrees have shops in large shopping malls and high streets of most towns and cities. You can take your phone or tablet into the shop and the staff will fit a pre pay sim and set you up, this usually can be done in 20 minutes.
If you want the cheapest thing and are staying only in town or city centres and touristy towns and villages, then Spark has Wifi in phone boxes. for $10 for a month (limited to 1GB daily= up to 30GB/month )
It is worth noting that the frequencies that Spark uses are incompatable with many older 3G phones, especially those form Asia and Europe. Spark mobile uses a 3G 4G network that has 850Mhz UMTS as a requirement for the handset (commonly used in North America). Sparks network has no 2G (GSM) services.
If you want a basic phone for calling and SMS (texting) go to “the warehouse” or “harvey norman” and buy a phone from a bargain bin. You can usually buy a phone for less than $NZ10 they often come with a $20 or $30 prepay starter pack shrink wrapped onto the side of the box, note that these cheap phones are usually network locked and will not work with a sim from another network. The boxes have the word “locked” on their product pricing labels.
Also 2Degrees has a roaming arrangement with vodafone, so if you are on 2Degrees and loose coverage in the countryside, you phone can roam to vodafone towers. calling and sms is charged at the same prices, included monthly post pay plan data is usable too. but prepaid packs that last more than a month cannot be used while roaming on vodafone. prepaid data packs that last one month can be used while roaming on vodafone towers.
hi,,
I am moving to NZ end of the November ,, I would like to find the best and cheapest deal for a land line,n internet,, im going to moving into a house in Mt Roskill
Hi There,
We are moving to a rural area, the house is near the town of Kaka Point in South Otago, just wondering what the options for internet would be there? Thanks
Hi there!
I’m from Argentina, about to go to NZ. I don’t understand about all theese internet plans.
If my plan is to move around the country, which type of connection do you recomend for laptops (I work online).
Thanks!
Hi Laura,
If you are moving around New Zealand then you would be best with a mobile broadband plan. Vodafone and Telecom are two internet providers who offer mobile. Prices will vary depending on usage, Telecom had a plan that starts at $30 a month for 750 MB of data.
HI
I will be based in New Zealand in Hawkes Bay. I require a high speed internet connection with download at 100mbps. Is it available in New Zealand.
Thanks
Hello, awesome page mate, really informative.
Im hoping to move into a new place in rural Raglan soon (Whale Bay), and its imperative that I have internet access as im finishing a PhD. However the landlord wont put a phoneline in coz it will cost $1000 to install. Furthermore, there is only a tiny spot in the backyard that picks up vodafone coverage. As such, are those Farmside and Wireless Nation providers my only option? Cheers
Hi Jordan,
Farmside and Wireless Nation are the only satellite providers that we are aware of. You could ask in the forum at http://www.enz.org/forum and see if our members know of any other solutions.
Hi my name is Ronald and i will hopefully be immigrating to NZ in 4 months time, at home in Holland im used to a unlimited data transfer for the internet, complete plan for tv and telephone and I pay aprox €60.00 which is around $90.00 a month. what is the price for a equivelent plan in NZ? Who can advise me which providers there are that offer unlimited data in Auckland.
Hi Ronald,
Orcon have an unlimited broadband plan (12 month plan) which also includes national telephone calls for $99 a month. It is available in Auckland and they have an address checker on their website.
TV can be free with freeview or you can pay for packages from Sky TV.
I had a M8 tell me the other day about something called VLP or VLS internet .. its meant to be 2-3 x faster than ADSL, Do you know anything about this and if so where i could get it . my M8 didn’t know to much about it..
Hi,
I am moving into a flat in auckland and need to find the best and cheapest deal for a landline, internet and freeview. I dont mind using separate if its cheaper that way.
Iv been searching the interenet but have had no luck so far understanding the details.
Hey Melissa – if your mobile phone is a Vodafone one, go with them for an extra discount on broadband. – I do that with a Vodafone Naked Broadband deal, but they do it for normal Broadband and phone packages too. http://www.vodafone.co.nz/broadband/
hi
iam a international student studying in auckland ,
1. i would like to know if there is any broadband services which is giving me 30 to 50 gb, my budget is less than $50.
2. i need a data plan for 1gb for my mobile for using internet, my budget is less than $ $50
Thank You
Hi,
These are the best I could find at the moment for broadband for around $50 a month:
Telstraclear has a 20GB package that costs $55 a month for Naked Broadband+ . This gives you maximum speed broadband and a phone line, without having to pay a fee for phone line rental.
Inspire offers a broadband ‘Bitstream’ plan at $50 a month for 20 GB of data.
For a mobile plan, Vodafone has a 2GB prepay stick for $69 with up to 2 months to use the data allowance. After that you can top up with 2GB more data for $50 per month.
Is there anyone besides FARMSIDE who provide satellite internet connections in the South Island – near Lake Coleridge?
Thanks
Hi Andrew,
Wirelessnation also have a satellite internet service. They offer various data packages and have three levels of pricing depending on the maximum upload/ download speed you choose.
I’ve updated the satellite internet table above with 2013 prices and a couple of their plans.
If you are staying in Rotorua : Internet is very erratic. I had NZ Telecom and got disconnected several times in an hour (making skype almost impossible). In Hastings/Taradale I had a fast and un-interrupted connection with Telecom in my Hotel, but the hotel owner said that it is impossible to get any tech-support from them.
Hi
Does anyone know if it is possible select a date for Telecom to connect phone and Internet service? We only need the service for 4 months but I can’t see any more cost effective way of getting a decent amount of Internet service, any other suggestions?
Hi there,
I’m planning on coming to New Zealand for a month in February. I will be staying in Christchurch with my father who is currently working there. I teach online and will need to continue to do so while in Christchurch therefore will need reliable internet service.
My father uses the internet to Skype but says that it cuts out a lot during calls. He seems to think that this is something that is unavoidable in the area and that upgrading to a faster dial-up will not help. Some advice on the matter would be gratefully received 🙂 I don’t know which internet provider and package he has, but can find out if it helps in giving an answer.
Kind Regards,
Kirsty.
You probably don’t need to know this any more, but others may find the info. useful. I found Skype useless for conference calls by 3G, or landline ADSL. I nw use a co called all conference calls now. You have to pay, but it works.
Hi, is it possible to get an unlimited Internet connection here in New Zealand? Or is there always a maximum traffic limit?
Hi Fitra, Im American and I’ve lived and traveled around NZ for the past 2 years off and on. As far as I know, theres no unlimited connection. You have to subscribe/pay by usage. Also when you check into a hotel, always ask how much internet access they give free. Even in higher end hotels (over $ 250 per day) you get barely enough to check your e-mails (20 Mb/day is considered generous). However, if you ask for more when you book a room, you could get enough to at least check your news etc.
Hi, don’t know if this is still relevant, but Orcon now do an unlimited package for around $100NZ including their VOIP phone set up. Free upgrade to the ‘ultrafast’ network whenever Chorus & Co pull their fingers out and get digging!
Hi
Am moving into a house next week in Ross on the west coast.
It doesn’t seem to have a phone line into the property and as I only plan to be there for 4 months, am reluctant to pay to have one dug in. Internet however is quite important to us.
Any advice would be appreciated as I am unfamiliar with the NZ ISP system – Thanks
Hi Dan, the most cost effective solution would probably be mobile broadband. We don’t know anyone in the Ross area to ask about conditions there. Perhaps you could ask the person you’ll be renting from what the mobile coverage is like. The 3G mobile coverage maps from Telecom and Vodafone indicate that there’s no 3G at all:
Telecom Coverage
Vodafone Coverage
Coverage maps don’t look encouraging, even for 2G!
You could ask the question to a much broader selection of people on our forum, some of whom might have experience of internet in more remote areas. http://www.enz.org/forum/
hello
i am an indian and will be traveling to new zealand for ten days in the month of february.
i am looking for internet plans while there and for that need help.
my requirements are
mobile internet preferrable and stick if mobile not available.
data requirement upto 10 gb
speed upto 1mbps
coverage in auckland rotorua wellington queenstown
Hi Hemant,
Telecom New Zealand offer 2GB of prepaid mobile broadband which lasts up to 30 days for $50. You can purchase online on their website. If you use more than 2GB of data you’ll automatically revert to the casual data rate of $1 a day for your first 10MB, then $1 per MB thereafter on the days you use more than 10MB. Alternatively you could easily subscribe to another 2GB option online.
Other companies such as Vodaphone and 2degrees may offer similar deals. You can check exact coverage on their websites.
According to a survey by Epitiro in 2011 the average download speed for mobile broadband in Auckland and Wellington for Telecom was 3.3 MBps. This compares to 2degrees at 2.7Mbps and Vodaphone at 4.1Mbps.
You can get 12GB at 2degrees with a download speed of 6-12 mbps for $99
I am traveling to NZ leaving on Frtiday for 2 weeks and will have an Ipod and or iphone with me
I would like to have internet access while there on the ipad and or phone data eg for maps etc.
What is the best way to get this?
presently I have a card in the ipad. Would this work in NZ and if so at what cosT?
Hi Franke,
I would suggest prepay mobile broadband could be an option for you. Below are the current options for Vodaphone and Telecom NZ.
Vodaphone sells a prepaid Vodem stick for $49 NZ which comes with 2GB of data preloaded to use within two months .
After that, you could then choose between purchasing a monthly allowance or using the daily casual rate.
Monthly allowances range from $10 for a further 100 MB up to $50 for a further 2GB. Alternatively you could choose to pay at the casual daily rate ranging from $1 for less than 0.2MB usage to $3 a day for 10MB usage.
Telecom NZ also offer prepaid mobile broadband. The Telecom T stick costs $79 and is ‘plug and play – no set up and includes a SIM card to connect to the XT network. It also comes with 2GB data allowance.
Once your initial 2GB has expired you will be charged at the casual rate of $1 day for your 1st 10MB and then $1 per MB thereafter.
Or you could subscribe to a Telecom prepaid monthly plan.
hi frank u can used prepaid comb of 2 degree 100 min 500MG AND unlimited text for $20 a month
I am planning on retiring to Palmerston North and am wondering what is the best combined wifi/cable TV service that I can purchase? Being on a fixed income, I obviously want the best price but am also looking for a high quality provider. Any recommendations?