Competition in the wireless broadband market is fierce. The big broadband providers like wireless broadband technology because they don’t have to pay to deliver their services over the fibre networks, which belong to other companies.
And for consumers, this increased competition means lower prices. So why pay for cheap wireless broadband, when you can pay for cheaper wireless broadband?
Canstar searches out the cheapest wireless broadband deals in New Zealand.
Why get wireless broadband?
Before comparing wireless broadband plans, you need to consider if wireless broadband is right for you. When it comes to speed, 4G wireless outpaces old ADSL connections and is on a par with VDSL, but it’s nowhere as fast as Starlink’s satellite service or fibre. And while 5G wireless is fast, it’s currently limited to urban centres, where fibre connections are freely available.
Broadband speeds by type
| Broadband | Download speeds (Mbps) |
Upload speeds (Mbps) |
Latency (ms) |
| ADSL | 10 | 1 | 27 |
| VDSL | 42 | 11 | 21 |
| 4G Wireless | 49 | 15 | 54 |
| Starlink Satellite | 224 | 33 | 32 |
| 5G Wireless | 348 | 50 | n/a |
| Fibre 300 | 312 | 107 | 10 |
| Fibre Max | 878 | 4839 |
Average speeds and latency for different types of broadband, according to the latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand Report.
But if fibre isn’t an option for your home, and you want a cheaper alternative to Starlink then wireless broadband may be your best bet for bringing fast, reliable internet to your home. Wireless is also an option for those on a budget, as wireless plans can be significantly cheaper than fibre ones.
For example Skinny, One and 2degrees all offer an extra $10 discount on the cost of their wireless plans if you also have a mobile plan with them. This means that by bundling you can get unlimited data plans that start as low as $35:
→ Related article: Starlink Satellite Internet: All You Need to Know
Cheapest wireless broadband: what’s on offer?
Below is an overview of the current wireless broadband deals from major providers in New Zealand. Plans do not include any current offers. Modem delivery fees may apply:
| Broadband Provider | Unlimited Broadband Deal $ Per Month |
| Starlink | Standard: $159/m Deprioritised: $79/m Starlink receiver kit: $359. |
| Skinny | 60GB: $45/m 120GB: $50/m Unlimited: $55/m Free modem on 12-month contract |
| 2degrees | 300GB: $55/m 600GB: $60/m 5G Unlimited: $79/m Free modem on 12-month contract |
| Slingshot | 300GB: $55/m Unlimited: $60/m Free modem on 12-month contract |
| Spark | 40GB: $45/m 120GB: $55/m Unlimited: $60/m 5G Unlimited: $80/m Requires Spark modem: $150 |
| One NZ* | 300GB: $55/m Unlimited: $65/m 5G Unlimited: $79/m Free modem on 12-month contract |
(Prices correct as of 02/08/24)
Compare Wireless Broadband with Canstar Blue
To help you get a clearer picture of wireless broadband providers in NZ, Canstar Blue rates all the big providers annually. We survey thousands of broadband customers and ask them to score their providers across categories including Overall Satisfaction, Value for Money and Customer Service. We then award the best wireless broadband providers our Star Ratings and Most Satisfied Customer Award.
^ By clicking on a brand or 'details' button, you will leave Canstar Blue and be taken to either a product provider website or a Canstar Blue NZ brand page. You agree that Canstar Blue NZ’s terms and conditions apply (without limitation) to your use of this service,to any referral to a product provider from our website, and any transaction that follows. Canstar Blue may earn a fee for referrals from its website tables, and from sponsorship (advertising) of certain products. Payment of sponsorship fees does not influence the star rating that Canstar Blue awards to a sponsored product. Fees payable by product providers for referrals and sponsorship may vary between providers, website position, and revenue model. Sponsorship fees may be higher than referral fees. Sponsored products are clearly disclosed as such on website pages. They may appear in a number of areas of the website such as in comparison tables, on hub pages and in articles. Sponsored products may be displayed in a fixed position in a table, regardless of the product’s rating, price or other attributes. The table position of a sponsored product does not indicate any ranking, rating or endorsement by Canstar Blue. See How we are funded for further details.
Canstar Blue NZ research finalised in May 2024, published in June 2024.
See Our Ratings Methodology
The table above is an abridged version of our full research, to find out more about NZ’s best wireless broadband providers, just click on the button below.
Compare wireless broadband providers with Canstar Blue!
About the editor of this page
This report was written by Canstar’s Editor, Bruce Pitchers. Bruce has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in the UK and Australasia, including ACP, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. Prior to Canstar, he worked as a freelancer, including for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority, and for real estate companies on both sides of the Tasman.
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