Who are the best Broadband Providers in 2020?
Every year we get together an expert panel of judges and choose the best of the best in broadband – think the Oscars of Broadband. We felt that 2020, in particular was a time to recognise success in the broadband industry.
We all spent more time at home and online than ever before - working, seeking entertainment and keep in touch with friends and family nearby and across the world. Internet traffic hit record-breaking peaks multiple times. And, behind the scenes, were our broadband providers working hard to keep up with unprecedented demand, keep Kiwis connected, come up with innovative solutions and putting their customers first.
An impressive of broadband companies put themselves forward to be considered as the best of the best. It was fantastic to see entries from a huge range of providers including, Neon, Play Stuff, Farmside, Vodafone, Wireless Nation, MyRepublic, NOW, Orcon, Megatel, Nova Energy, Slingshot, 2degrees, Gravity Internet, WombatNET, Contact Energy, Network for Learning and Spritely. So – who was the best of the best?
Who were the best providers in broadband for 2020?
Compare the winning broadband providers on the night below. Check out the full list of winners for all categories here.
Slingshot was the big winner in broadband for 2020
Winner of Best Value Broadband Provider, Best Bundled Plan & the People’s Choice Broadband Provider, voted for by the New Zealand public – Slingshot
Best Value Broadband Provider recognises an NZ Internet Service Provider who provided the best value broadband service in the previous 12 months. Value can be determined by price, product and added benefits or service.
Best Open to NZ ISPs and organisations who provide at least one ‘bundled’ broadband service to NZ consumers or organisations. A bundle plan must consist of a broadband connection with another core service, product or feature e.g. landline, mobile or power service.
The People's Choice Provider is the Provider who is selected through voting by the New Zealand Public.
Unlimited Fibre 300
Unlimited Fibre 300 Plan for ONLY $...
from
$87.00
/mo
First 12 months then 97.00/month
300Mbps
100Mbps
Unlimited Fibre 300
Unlimited Fibre 300 Plan for ONLY $...
Sign up to Slingshot's 300Mbps Unlimited Fibre Plan and pay ONLY $87/month. T&Cs apply.
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $87/month! Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bu...
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
Included features
Family filter
- Offer is available to new customers only.
- A minimum 12-month contract applies. Early Termination fee of $250 applies.
- Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
- Offer will revert to standard prices as advertised on Slingshot.co.nz after 12 months.
- The promotion is valid for a limited time only and is subject to change by Slingshot without notice.
- Free standard installation.
- Brand new Orbi Wi-Fi 6 Router is $5/month rental with a one-off $14.95 delivery charge or Bring your own device.
- Additional add on MESH Satellite units:
- 1 Satellite Unit ($5/month) - recommended for homes between 150 and 300sqm
- 2 Satellite Units ($10/month) - recommended for homes greater than 300sqm
- Modem to be returned if customer cancels.
- Refer to the Slingshot website for more FAQ`s regarding modems.
- Receive $5/m broadband discount for each mobile plan added - no more than 4 mobile plans on the new sign-up are allowed.
Slingshot Broadband Ts&Cs
Bundle Discount Terms & Conditions
Sign up to Slingshot's 300Mbps Unlimited Fibre Plan and pay ONLY $87/month. T&Cs apply.
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $87/month! Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bundle Discount on Broadband! Get an extra $5/mth off your broadband price for each active mobile plan you bundle with broadband. BYO router or rent a brand new Orbi Wi-Fi 6 router for $5/month.
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
Unlimited VDSL
Sign up on a 12-month contract and...
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $67/month. Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bundle Discount on Broadband! Get an extra $5/mth off your broadband price for each active
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
Included features
Family filter
- Offer is available to new customers only.
- A minimum 12-month contract applies. Early Termination fee of $250 applies.
- Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
- Offer will revert to standard prices as advertised on Slingshot.co.nz after 12 months.
- The promotion is valid for a limited time only and is subject to change by Slingshot without notice.
- Free standard installation.
- Brand new Netcomm - NF18AC router is $5/month rental with a one-off $14.95 delivery charge or Bring your own device. BYO modem is not compatible with the landline.
- Modem to be returned if customer cancels.
- Refer to the Slingshot website for more FAQ`s regarding modems.
- Receive $5/m discount for each mobile plan added - no more than 4 mobile plans on the new sign-up are allowed.
Slingshot Broadband Ts&Cs
Bundle Discount Terms & Conditions
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $67/month. Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bundle Discount on Broadband! Get an extra $5/mth off your broadband price for each active mobile plan you bundle with broadband. BYO router or rent a brand new router for $5/month. Limited time offer. T&C's apply.
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
Unlimited ADSL
Sign up on a 12-month contract and...
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $67/month. Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bundle Discount on Broadband! Get an extra $5/mth off your broadband price for each active
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
Included features
Family filter
- Offer is available to new customers only.
- A minimum 12-month contract applies. Early Termination fee of $250 applies.
- Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
- Offer will revert to standard prices as advertised on Slingshot.co.nz after 12 months.
- The promotion is valid for a limited time only and is subject to change by Slingshot without notice.
- Free standard installation.
- Brand new Netcomm - NF18AC router is $5/month rental with a one-off $14.95 delivery charge or Bring your own device. BYO modem is not compatible with the landline.
- Modem to be returned if customer cancels.
- Refer to the Slingshot website for more FAQ`s regarding modems.
- Receive $5/m discount for each mobile plan added - no more than 4 mobile plans on the new sign-up are allowed.
Slingshot Broadband Ts&Cs
Bundle Discount Terms & Conditions
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $67/month. Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bundle Discount on Broadband! Get an extra $5/mth off your broadband price for each active mobile plan you bundle with broadband. BYO router or rent a brand new router for $5/month. Limited time offer. T&C's apply.
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
Best Fibre Broadband Provider
The Best Fibre Broadband award is for the strongest overall Fibre Broadband service provider in New Zealand.
Unlimited Fibre 300
Get $22 off your standard price for...
from
$75.00
/mo
First 12 months then 97.00/month
300Mbps
100Mbps
Unlimited Fibre 300
Get $22 off your standard price for...
Sign up for the Orcon Fibre plan through Broadband Compare and get $22 monthly discount for 12 months! Bundle your broadband and power and get 10% bundle discount on both services. Get $5/mth off for
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
- 12-month term applies to all plans, exit fees of $250 apply.
- Standard pricing applies after 12 months.
- **Average Orcon Fibre plan (Fibre 100 or Fibre 300, depending on location) or Fibre Pro plan (Fibre Max) download/upload speeds with compatible modem at busy times (SamKnows December 2021 or Orcon November 2021). Experienced speeds may be higher or lower. For more information on how we measure speeds visits.(SamKnows December 2021) More info
- An extra 10% discount applies for Power and Broadband Bundles. The 10% discount is applied after all other offers.
Full T&Cs's
Sign up for the Orcon Fibre plan through Broadband Compare and get $22 monthly discount for 12 months! Bundle your broadband and power and get 10% bundle discount on both services. Get $5/mth off for each active mobile plan you bundle with your broadband. T&C's apply.
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
Best Customer Support
The Best Customer Support award presented to the New Zealand broadband provider that best demonstrates a commitment to providing excellent customer service.
300Mbps
100Mbps
Here’s your chance to join New Zealand’s most Satisfied Broadband Customers on Now broadband. $47.50/m for six months then standard pricing of $95/m applies. Fibre 300 only. 12-month term. T&Cs apply....
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
Naked Unlimited Broadband with six months half price.
1. This offer ends 31st May 2024
2. Only available for new residential customers only.
3. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
4. Adding a phoneline to any plan or offer will be an additional $10 per month.
5. This offer is only available on a 12-month contract term and includes unlimited ADSL, VDSL and Fibre 300/100.
6. Promotional pricing is valid for 6-months only, beginning on the date which your service address is connected on the Now network. After the first 6-months, the standard plan pricing for your selected plan will apply.
7. You can use your own modem, but this must be compatible with the selected Now network. For more information, please refer to https://www.nownz.co.nz/support/technical-support/routerhelp/use-my-router/
8. A Modem can also be purchased with a one-off charge applied to your 1st invoice, alternatively you can split the cost of the Modem into 12 instalments included on your monthly bill. Please note: $14 postage and packaging fee applies for modem delivery.
9. An early termination fee ($199) will apply if you cancel this service prior to the first 12 months after joining.
50Mbps
10Mbps
Two-time award winners at the 2021 NZ Compare Awards for Best Customer Support and Provider of the Year! Get 6 months HALF PRICE unlimited broadband when you sign up for a 12-month contract! BYO route...
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
1. This offer ends 31st May 2024
2. Only available for new residential customers only.
3. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
4. Adding a phoneline to any plan or offer will be an additional $10 per month.
5. This offer is only available on a 12-month contract term and includes unlimited ADSL, VDSL and Fibre 300/100.
6. Promotional pricing is valid for 6-months only, beginning on the date which your service address is connected on the Now network. After the first 6-months, the standard plan pricing for your selected plan will apply.
7. You can use your own modem, but this must be compatible with the selected Now network. For more information, please refer to https://www.nownz.co.nz/support/technical-support/routerhelp/use-my-router/
8. A Modem can also be purchased with a one-off charge applied to your 1st invoice, alternatively you can split the cost of the Modem into 12 instalments included on your monthly bill. Please note: $14 postage and packaging fee applies for modem delivery.
9. An early termination fee ($199) will apply if you cancel this service prior to the first 12 months after joining.
10Mbps
1Mbps
Two-time award winners at the 2021 NZ Compare Awards for Best Customer Support and Provider of the Year! Get 6 months HALF PRICE unlimited broadband when you sign up for a 12-month contract! BYO route...
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
12 months
1. This offer ends 31st May 2024
2. Only available for new residential customers only.
3. Offers cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
4. Adding a phoneline to any plan or offer will be an additional $10 per month.
5. This offer is only available on a 12-month contract term and includes unlimited ADSL, VDSL and Fibre 300/100.
6. Promotional pricing is valid for 6-months only, beginning on the date which your service address is connected on the Now network. After the first 6-months, the standard plan pricing for your selected plan will apply.
7. You can use your own modem, but this must be compatible with the selected Now network. For more information, please refer to https://www.nownz.co.nz/support/technical-support/routerhelp/use-my-router/
8. A Modem can also be purchased with a one-off charge applied to your 1st invoice, alternatively you can split the cost of the Modem into 12 instalments included on your monthly bill. Please note: $14 postage and packaging fee applies for modem delivery.
9. An early termination fee ($199) will apply if you cancel this service prior to the first 12 months after joining.
Best Service Provider under 10,000 customers
This award is for the best Internet Service Provider in New Zealand who serviced less than 10,000 connected customers in the previous 12 months.
Best Wireless Service provider
This award is for the strongest overall wireless service provider in New Zealand.
RBI 4G 200GB+
1 month HALF PRICE + Unlimited Off...
from
$92.45
/mo
First month then 184.90/month
36Mbps
10Mbps
RBI 4G 200GB+
1 month HALF PRICE + Unlimited Off...
Sign up for a 24-month contract and get 1 month HALF PRICE. Enjoy Unlimited Off Peak data (can be used from midnight-5 PM). Also, no setup, shipping & handling costs + free antenna worth $119 (if requ...
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
24 months
Included features
Router
1. The offer is only available to new Wireless Nation broadband customers who haven’t had an active Wireless Nation connection in the past 12 months, and who sign up to a residential RBI Wireless Broadband plan on a 24 month contract.
2. The offer is applied when your broadband becomes active with Wireless Nation and will be discounted on your initial payment through the online sign up form.
3. The offer is the equivalent of one month half price of any RBI Wireless standard monthly fee, free antenna (if required) worth $119, and no shipping & handling cost. It does not apply to additional charges such as installation, additional usage or part-month charges.
4. With this plan, you get Anytime data, which can be used all day long, plus Off Peak data, which is available from midnight till 5PM.
5. The early exit fee is 1/24 of $458.85 for every remaining month on a 24 month contract, plus the value of any promotion offered during signup.
6. The offer may not be available in conjunction with other offers.
7. The offer is subject to payment by Direct Debit or automatic Credit Card.
8. The offer is subject to our standard
Terms of Service.
Sign up for a 24-month contract and get 1 month HALF PRICE. Enjoy Unlimited Off Peak data (can be used from midnight-5 PM). Also, no setup, shipping & handling costs + free antenna worth $119 (if required) and free modem lease. Use promo code "getconnected". T&C's apply
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
RBI 4G 120GB+
1 month HALF PRICE + Unlimited Off...
from
$64.95
/mo
First month then 129.90/month
36Mbps
10Mbps
RBI 4G 120GB+
1 month HALF PRICE + Unlimited Off...
Sign up for a 24-month contract and get 1 month HALF PRICE. Enjoy Unlimited Off Peak data (can be used from midnight-5 PM). Also, no setup, shipping & handling costs + free antenna worth $119 (if requ...
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
24 months
Included features
Router
1. The offer is only available to new Wireless Nation broadband customers who haven’t had an active Wireless Nation connection in the past 12 months, and who sign up to a residential RBI Wireless Broadband plan on a 24 month contract.
2. The offer is applied when your broadband becomes active with Wireless Nation and will be discounted on your initial payment through the online sign up form.
3. The offer is the equivalent of one month half price of any RBI Wireless standard monthly fee, free antenna (if required) worth $119, and no shipping & handling cost. It does not apply to additional charges such as installation, additional usage or part-month charges.
4. With this plan, you get Anytime data, which can be used all day long, plus Off Peak data, which is available from midnight till 5PM.
5. The early exit fee is 1/24 of $458.85 for every remaining month on a 24 month contract, plus the value of any promotion offered during signup.
6. The offer may not be available in conjunction with other offers.
7. The offer is subject to payment by Direct Debit or automatic Credit Card.
8. The offer is subject to our standard
Terms of Service.
Sign up for a 24-month contract and get 1 month HALF PRICE. Enjoy Unlimited Off Peak data (can be used from midnight-5 PM). Also, no setup, shipping & handling costs + free antenna worth $119 (if required) and free modem lease. Use promo code "getconnected". T&C's apply
Full plan details
Terms and Conditions apply
Best Rural Service Provider
This award is for the strongest overall Rural Service Provider in New Zealand.
from
$0.00
/mo
First 3 months then 55.00/month
36Mbps
10Mbps
Get a FREE modem and self-installation ($20 freight charge applies) + Get 3 months FREE! Sign up now on 0800 697 327. T&C's apply,
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
24 months
Included features
Rental router
- Offer is available to new Farmside customers
- A 24 month service term applies. If you require an open term please contact our sales team on 0800 697 327.
- Early Disconnection Fees apply.
- Installation & other fees may apply.
- Average peak time download/upload speeds are 30/17Mbps at busiest times. You may experience a higher or lower speed than these averages.
- Rural addresses are specifically excluded.
- Availability of the Unlimited plan may depend on network capability at your address. For Unlimited data Fair Use Policy applies.
- Factors such as the distance you are from a cell tower, the network capability and the overall use of that cell tower by the other consumers can impact the speed experienced.
- Factors such as the performance of your modem, location of the server you're connected to, the performance of your device and your in-home Wi-fi setup can impact the speeds experienced.
- Sufficient 4G coverage and capacity is also required. Traffic management and Fair Usage apply.
- Farmside Broadband Terms and Conditions apply.
- Farmside Standard Terms and Conditions and Fair Usage Policy applies.
RBI 4G 200Gb
Get a FREE modem + Get 3 months FRE...
from
$0.00
/mo
First 3 months then 95.99/month
36Mbps
10Mbps
RBI 4G 200Gb
Get a FREE modem + Get 3 months FRE...
Get a FREE modem and self-installation ($20 freight charge applies) + Get 3 months FREE! Sign up now on 0800 697 327. T&C's apply.
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
24 months
Included features
Rental router
- Factors such as the performance of your modem, location of the server you're connected to, the performance of your device and your in-home Wifi setup can impact the speeds experienced.
- For wireless connections, factors such as the distance you are from a cell tower, the network capability and the overall use of that cell tower by the other consumers can impact the speed experienced.
- Plan prices exclude data cap overages of $5.00 per GB.
- A 24 month service term applies. If you require an open term please contact Farmside sales team on 0800 697 327 to discuss open term options.
- Farmside Broadband Terms and Conditions and Early Termination fees apply
Farmside Standard Terms and Conditions and Fair Usage Policy applies
- If power is not available then broadband, and any services which run over it including voice calling (and all calls, including emergency calls to 111), may stop working unless there is battery backup in the home.Farmside recommends always having a charged mobile phone ready to use as a backup.
- Sufficient 4G coverage and capacity is also required. Traffic management and fair usage apply.
- Services such as monitored alarms, faxes, medical alerts and Sky may not work over the Broadband and phone (VoIP) service. You will need to check with your supplier.
from
$0.00
/mo
First 3 months then 65.00/month
36Mbps
10Mbps
Get a FREE modem and self-installation ($20 freight charge applies) + Get 3 months FREE! Sign up now on 0800 697 327. T&C's apply,
Terms and Conditions apply
Full plan details
Contract options
24 months
Included features
Rental router
- Offer is available to new Farmside customers
- A 24 month service term applies. If you require an open term please contact our sales team on 0800 697 327.
- Early Disconnection Fees apply.
- Installation & other fees may apply.
- Average peak time download/upload speeds are 30/17Mbps at busiest times. You may experience a higher or lower speed than these averages.
- Rural addresses are specifically excluded.
- Availability of the Unlimited plan may depend on network capability at your address. For Unlimited data Fair Use Policy applies.
- Factors such as the distance you are from a cell tower, the network capability and the overall use of that cell tower by the other consumers can impact the speed experienced.
- Factors such as the performance of your modem, location of the server you're connected to, the performance of your device and your in-home Wi-fi setup can impact the speeds experienced.
- Sufficient 4G coverage and capacity is also required. Traffic management and Fair Usage apply.
- Farmside Broadband Terms and Conditions apply.
- Farmside Standard Terms and Conditions and Fair Usage Policy applies.
