Below we cover the best deals from broadband providers across fibre and wireless plans. The award we think delivers the best value is our Deal of the Month!
This month we cover deals from:
Deal of the Month: Mercury
Mercury is offering six months’ free broadband across its broadband plans if you bundle with electricity on a one-year contract:
- Wireless Broadband: 120GB/300GB/1000GB at 18/64Mbps – Total savings: from $414-$474 depending on plan
- Fibre Classic: Unlimited data at 500/100Mbps: $96/m – Total saving: $576
- Fibre Max: Unlimited data: 900/500Mbps: $111/m – Total saving: $666
The savings on offer from Mercury over the one-year period are quite significant. However, when working out if a deal is right for you, make sure you factor in the cost of the power you’re offered.
Also, unless you have your own router, Mercury charges between $5-$15/m for router hire.
2degrees
2degrees is offering a free six-month Prime subscription, worth ($65.94), when you sign up for 12 months across the following plans:
- Unlimited Wireless 4G: $60
- Unlimited Wireless 5G: $69
- Unlimited: 500/100Mbps: $99
- Unlimited: 900/500Mbps: $114
2degrees is also offering a $150 joining credit when you sign up to a 12-month term on either of the two fibre plans listed above.
Skinny
If you sign up to a 12-month plan, Skinny is offering a free modem (worth $199, although a $10 delivery fee does apply) and monthly discounts across all its broadband plans.
If you don’t have a BYO modem, the offer of a free modem is good value, and while Skinny’s discounts aren’t as large as some of the others available this month, they come on top of already low prices, leading to greater overall value.
- Wireless broadband: 2 months free: worth between $100-$110, depending on the plan
- Fibre broadband: 1 month free: worth $85 or $100, depending on the plan
Plus Skinny offers an extra $10/m discount if you also have a Skinny mobile plan $27 or above.
Sky Broadband
Sky’s offering discounts of between $5-$15 across it three fibre broadband plans on a 12-month contract:
- Fibre Starter: 50/10Mbps – $55 (usual price $60)
- Fibre Everyday: 300/100Mbps – $85 (usual price $95)
- Unlimited Gigantic: 900/500Mbps – $100 (usual price $115)
Further discounts apply if you bundle with a Sky subscription.
Slingshot
Slingshot has a $10-off deal across its unlimited fibre broadband plans for the first 12 months:
- Unlimited: 500/100Mbps – $90 (usual price $100)
- Unlimited Gigantic: 900/500Mbps – $105 (usual price $115)
Spark
Spark offers upgrades across three of its plans, that add Netflix Standard ($25.99/m) and McAfee Security Standard ($4.95/m) for an additional charge:
- Everyday Wireless Plus (60/20Mbps): $73/m – (Standard price: $65)
- Max Wireless Plus (340/50Mbps): $88/m – (Standard price: $80)
- Essential Fibre Plus (500/100Mbps): $113/m – (Standard price: $101)
- Max Fibre Plus (900/500Mbps): $128/m – (Standard price: $116)
Across the plans that represents a potential monthly saving of around $23 across Spark’s wireless plans and $19 on its fibre plans … But only if you want Netflix and McAfee Security protection.
Zeronet
Zeronet is offering half-price broadband for the first five months, on a 12-month contract, across its following plans:
- Fibre Starter: 100/20Mbps – $33.50 (usual price $67)
- Fibre Essentials: 500/100Mbps – $49.50 (usual price $99)
- Unlimited Max: 900/500Mbps – $57.50 (usual price $115)
Broadband plan discounts and deals: what to consider
Broadband providers are always offering incentives to new customers. However it’s important to not get blinded by the initial discount, and to consider the longer-term implications of your broadband purchase. Points to consider:
Discount length
Is the discount a one-off, or for the length of the plan? Many plans revert to their original price after the initial discount period meaning, in the long run, you could end up paying more than opting for a cheaper plan without an initial discount.
Data, calls and texts
Does the plan meet your needs in terms of its data and speeds? There’s no point paying for a top-speed 900/500Mbps plan if all you’re doing is surfing the internet and watching the odd show on Netflix. Likewise, if you’re a household of multiple family members who stream and game online at the same time, you’ll need a plan that can handle your data-consumption needs.
Check the small print
Broadband deals always come with Ts&Cs, and it’s important to read them, as they could reveal hidden charges. Also make sure you’re familiar with the conditions of your existing plan, as switching to another provider could incur penalties, such as break fees and modem costs.
Compare broadband providers for free with Canstar!
About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has +worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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