Saving money on broadband isn’t always easy, as broadband prices, plans, and deals are always changing. You think you have the best deal, only for another provider to slash its prices or throw in a free streaming subscription to sweeten the deal. Next thing you know, your broadband connection costs $10 more, is the slowest on the market, and you’re stuck paying for your own Netflix account.
So it’s no surprise, then, that the best way to save on broadband is to shop around and regularly review your plan. And to make things easier, we’ve included a list of all the current pricing information for fibre broadband plans, as well as all the current deals and discounts too. Plus a bunch more tips and tricks you can use to help save money.
So read on below and start saving on broadband now!
How to save money on broadband
Consider your needs
Unlimited, super-fast plans are all the rage in the broadband market. But, they also come at a higher cost. If you are looking for ways to save, one of the best ways is to consider how much, or how fast, your broadband needs to be.
For example, wireless broadband is typically cheaper. And although you will have significantly slower speeds than on fibre, for users who just browse social media or use the internet to stay in touch with family, it might be enough.
Even watching Netflix shouldn’t cause any issues.
Consider the add-ons
Certain broadband plans come with benefits like streaming subscriptions or sign-on rewards. These can be a great sweetener, but consider the true value, alongside whether it’s a need or a want.
For example, a new TV is nice, but if your existing TV is fine, then you aren’t saving. You’re just getting a free but unnecessary benefit. Or a plan might offer free Netflix, but if you already have Prime Video and Disney+, you might not feel a Netflix subscription is needed.
Furthermore, be wary of just how free these free add-ons are. For example, Spark’s fibre plan with free Netflix is more expensive than several other fibre plans. So if you’re paying extra for a free add-on, that add-on isn’t really free.
That’s not to say it isn’t good value. But try not to get sucked in by the add-ons. It’s important to carefully consider the actual value they offer.
Look for discounts
Providers might give you a month free, or several months half price when you sign up. This could be a good option to save money, but it might require a little bit of math. If you sign on for a year, what does that price work out to be when averaged out across 12 months? And is the original price that the plan reverts back to still a good deal?
Bundle your phone plan and/or electricity
If your broadband provider offers electricity and/or phone plans, you might be able to bundle for a discount. But before signing up, check that it’ll work out to be good value. Saving $10 on broadband is no use if you’re overpaying on your electricity or phone plan.
→Related article: Paying Too Much for Mobile? NZ’s Cheapest Phone Plans
Consider the cost of a modem
Most plans provide a free modem (although shipping and handling costs usually apply), while others require you to pay upfront for one. Other broadband providers allow you to bring your own compatible modem.
If you need a new modem, factor in any modem costs into your choice of provider. Saving $5 a month may not be worth it if you have to pay a sizeable modem cost.
Additionally, factor in the type of modem you’re getting. Some plans now offer mesh routers and smart modems that can double up as a smart speaker and/or provide more stable connections.
Open plan or fixed-term plan?
When you sign on for a fixed-term plan, you often get benefits that increase value, such as free modems, rewards or discounts. The trade-off is that if you want to call it quits early, you have to pay a break fee. With an open-term plan, you can call it quits anytime you want.
Broadband is a fast-moving industry, and plans are regularly changing. Being locked into a long-term plan could result in you missing out on new deals and discounts as they arise. But an open term may result in missing out on many of those benefits, which are often only included on fixed-term contracts.
Neither option is necessarily better or worse. You simply need to consider whether you value the freedom to shift plans as deals arise, or whether getting the cheapest deal now is of more importance.
Regularly review
This one’s important.
As we mentioned above, Broadband plans and deals are ever-changing. To know you’re getting the best deal, you need to regularly review the market and what’s on offer. Which is where we can help.
Instead of trawling through page after page and getting stuck in a web of endless tabs, you can use Canstar to compare Broadband providers and find the cheapest broadband plans.
Cheapest broadband plans
Below is an overview of 300/100Mbps fibre broadband deals from major providers in New Zealand. Plans do not include any current offers:
| Broadband Provider | Unlimited Broadband Deal $ Per Month |
| Contact* Only offers broadband + power bundles |
$75/m: broadband + power + gas $80/m: broadband + power Modem $99 or $4/m rental |
| Skinny | $80/m ($70/m with $27 or above 4-weekly Skinny mobile plan) Free modem on 12-month plan, $150 on open term (+$10 shipping). Save further $5/m for 12 months for BYO modem. $49 install on open term |
| Bigpipe | $84/m. Free modem on 12-month plan or BYO. $49 install on open term. |
| Electric Kiwi Only offers broadband + power bundles |
$2.65/day (equivalent to $80.60/m) BYO modem or buy/rent-to-buy one for $150 |
| Sky Broadband | Non-Sky TV subscriber: $95/m | Subscriber: $85/m (Sky Starter Package, $25.99/m) |
| One NZ* | $96/m BYO modem or rent one for $5/m on 12-month plan No fixed term with BYO modem |
| 2degrees* | $95/m: broadband $85/m: broadband + mobile $65/m: broadband + mobile + power BYO modem or rent one for $5/m |
| Nova Energy* | $95/m broadband only (no fixed term) $75/m: broadband + power |
| Now* | $95/m BYO modem or buy one for $120 |
| Spark* | $96/m Standard $105/m with Benefits (includes Standard Netflix, $20.99/m, and McAfee Security Standard, $4.95/m) Modem extra $150, or BYO |
| Slingshot* | $97/m BYO modem or rent one for $5/m |
*$15 one-off modem delivery fee (Prices correct as of 06/12/24)
What’s the deal with the cheapest broadband plans?
As you can see above, most plans cost between $75-$90/m. On paper, Contact’s deal appears cheap. But to take advantage of its low-cost broadband, you must sign up for power, too, which could cost more than your current electricity provider.
Overall Skinny’s broadband plan is the cheapest: $75/m, or $65/m for those with an eligible Skinny mobile plan.
So why would you pay $95 for a similar plan?
No frills vs bonuses + bundles
Skinny is a no-frills provider. All it does is deliver unlimited broadband. Other providers offer bundle deals and incentives that deliver increased value.
For example, Spark’s $105/m plan with Benefits includes Standard Netflix ($18.49/m) and McAfee Security Standard ($4.95/m) and a $5 discount on a Neon subscription. That adds up to a total of $28.44, which brings the overall cost of the internet plan down to $76.56. This is not far off Skinny’s $75 (and, remember, Skinny is a brand owned by Spark). But it’s only good value if you’d otherwise pay for those extras.
The same can be said for Sky Broadband, if you’re a Sky TV customer your broadband will only cost you $80/m. And, likewise, if you’ve a One NZ pay monthly mobile plan, One NZ’s broadband is just $81.
So if you’re willing to bundle your internet, adding either mobile phone plans or power plans, a world of extra savings awaits. But you need to do your homework to see if the discounts represent real savings for you.
NOTE: When chasing the best deals, it always pays to read the small print. Often, discounted rates and deals are only offered for an introductory period, for example 12 months. After that time the plans revert to full-price. So it pays to keep on top of what you’re paying and the other plans in the market.
It’s about more than just the cheapest broadband plans
Ultimately, if you’re after the cheapest broadband plan, it’s always worth shopping around. And don’t forget to check the small print. Locking yourself into a two-year deal at a fixed price might be a good deal now. But will it still offer good value 24 months from now, especially if you foresee your needs changing?
And while bundling broadband and power can offer tempting discounts, it’s only a good deal if both services come at reduced prices.
Customer service is also a huge consideration. If you’re not a tech wizard, it’s reassuring to know that your provider offers great technical advice to ensure your broadband is always up and running.
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About the author of this page
This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Andrew Broadley. Andrew is an experienced writer with a wide range of industry experience. Starting out, he cut his teeth working as a writer for print and online magazines, and he has worked in both journalism and editorial roles. His content has covered lifestyle and culture, marketing and, more recently, finance for Canstar.
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