Switching time - Best Broadband Plan (Fibre)

Bill on 04/02/2024 - 08:00
Last edited 04/02/2024 - 08:05

Currently, with 2degrees, over the past year, I have paid roughly $55/month for 300/100. $65 per month - $100 credit. It also included free amazon prime video but I never got around to activating it, so it went to waste.

Now my plan is coming to an end and will start violating me at $92/month at the end of this month.

All I need is 300/100, no router, no addons/free stuff.

Unfortunately, there don't look to be many door-busting deals at the moment, but I think a lot of people's contracts might be expiring soon so we should find the best option out of a sorry bunch of providers.

So far, the best option I have found is Skinny.

75/month - $5 byo modem - 1 month free = ~$65

I also thought this deal someone got was pretty good. Doubt I can get it now, and also think it will be faster to change from 2degrees than to haggle back and fourth for a deal. Their new user deal now isn't great and I think that will be the best I will get from them if I do stay.

Would be keen to know what everyone else thinks.

General Discussion

Comments

  • 2cheap on 04/02/2024 - 12:14

    Just signed up to Orcon (have been with twice before over the years) from 2 Degrees at the end of the years contract. Too late 2 Degrees emailed me $100 credit if I resigned. Went through deal site and worked out Orcon slightly cheaper (6 months half price, no monthly modem rental ) than Vodafone (IIRC). Switching was a PITA and I'll never go back to Orcon after this year. Multiple calls to them that they haven't confirmed switch date and so modem not sent. Another call when switch didn't happen so it was a day late despite weeks of lead time and me ringing to keep moving process along. They answer, say they'll raise a ticket and forget about it because computer says it's fine. Had to get grumpy on the phone to even make that progress. If I hadn't rung until changeover date lapsed I would have probably had about 3-4 days no internet. Orcon and 2 degrees same parent company which should have made it the simplest switch imaginable.

    • Bill on 09/02/2024 - 06:13

      2Degrees is a pain the ass to deal with too but I am a pretty persistent guy. I would still stay with them as the price was good, but their offer now is trash.

    • mcs08 on 13/02/2024 - 11:39

      i was with Orcon last year, and their billing and service were nightmare

  • Dunno on 04/02/2024 - 12:39

    You can call 2D and ask for their retention team, they will give you an offer right away for a new 12 month term if that interests you. I imagine their wait times are still terrible..

  • ace310 on 04/02/2024 - 13:20

    I have always switched broadband every 12 months to get the sign up deals. There are few providers I don't go with just because they use cg-nat which has performance issues sometimes and also some smart devices don't work properly along with some services I run (maybe this is no-issue for most).

    If you don't mind cg-nat and are not locked on any electricity provider, Contact is giving $300 cashback(credit after 1st month) with no contract. Might be good for couple of months and then move to a 12 month contract.

    I recommend Skinny, Slingshot & Orcon which I normally switch between. Slingshot currently has 4 months free via glimp, which comes to $65/mon for 300 plan.

    In general, Customer retention deals are not that good compared to new user deals so personally I don't waste time and just switch the provider. Also, I have my own router so I don't bother with them and can save if I can.

    • kfr23 on 04/02/2024 - 16:28

      Our customer retention deal with Orcon was far lower than any new user deal, and I'm pretty sure we are either paying the wholesale rate or even lower.

    • Bill on 09/02/2024 - 06:50

      Unfortunately, I can't switch power as my power company's new signup rates are higher than my current rate.

    • Joshyss on 08/05/2024 - 21:19

      I’m exactly the same. My 12 month contract will be coming up in 2 months so hopfully orcon or skinny have something good available then.

  • Everettpsycho on 04/02/2024 - 21:00

    I'm in the same situation and the bill just came in for the first month without a discount. Looking yesterday 2degrees had a half decent sign up offer through glimp so might see if they will match it. It came down to $69 with a discount for having a phone plan with them which ain't far off slingshots pricing on glimp.

  • NovaAlpha on 04/02/2024 - 23:49
    +1

    I used to recommend 2Degrees but no longer. Spoke to the retention team and got screwed around by different staff left right and center. I was so upset that I switched a couple of my properties away from them. Now using Hotshot and haven't had any issues at all. Paying $75 on 300/100 and I run regularly speedtests and it's always maxed throughput. No CGNAT either.

  • SamwizeGamezy on 05/02/2024 - 11:59

    Good conversation topic. I've been with Now Broadband for the last 12 months now switched to contact when they offered $250 credit (now $300). I'm a heavy user with multiple cameras on wifi, gaming and other equipment on wifi so I always go for the max fiber plan 900. Recently learned about CGNAT. Now that Contact uses CGNAT I think I will move to some other company. Does anyone know companies that don't use CGNAT and are offering a special? I've been paying around $100 per month. Thanks

    • ace310 on 05/02/2024 - 12:09

      Last I know, slingshot and skinny both didn't had CGNAT. So I am still on it. Slingshot has 4 months free currently via glimp.

  • Dunno on 05/02/2024 - 15:55

    Parents are on 300/100 with 2Degrees + supergold discount for $65/mo which was to increase to $97/mo. Retention offer was $77/mo made up of $15/mo discount and $5 supergold discount on top and removing prime video.

  • Dunno on 05/02/2024 - 16:03

    I would also point out this great Zeronet offer at broadbandcompare

    https://www.broadbandcompare.co.nz/p/join-zeronet-and-be-in-…

    1 in 10 signups wins a $100 giftcard

    300/100 6mo $44.99/mo 6mo $89.99/mo = ~$810/12 = $67.50/mo
    900/450 6mo $49.99/mo 6mo $99.99/mo = ~900/12 = $75/mo

    • Debzsea on 07/02/2024 - 20:43

      I saw this but the reviews were terrible. Anyone had a good experience with them?

    • Bill on 09/02/2024 - 06:56

      1 in 10 signups wins a $100 giftcard

      Value of this offer = $100/10 = $10 /12 months = $0.8 per month value

      • Dunno on 09/02/2024 - 10:41

        It's still one of the cheapest offers on the market without it, can't speak for the quality of the service

        • ace310 on 09/02/2024 - 10:53

          Slingshot's 4 months free is the cheapest currently.

  • Debzsea on 07/02/2024 - 20:42

    I'm on the same 2Degrees plan and looking for a new deal. I phoned the retention team about a month ago and all they offered was one month free (but of course the price per month has gone up significantly).
    Yesterday, I got a call from a telemarketer representing 2Degrees asking me which Internet provider I used…haha (oh, how embarrassing). I told them 2 Degrees and asked the retention team to call me back with an offer as I'm looking around. I haven't heard back yet - I wonder if will?

    • ace310 on 08/02/2024 - 09:02

      Don't bother. Max you will get 2 months free and that to is a long shot. Just switch, get the best deal in the market which suits your need. Loyalty means nothing to almost all of them. They are more interested in new signups.

      Source: I work closely with Telecom industry, not for them.

      • Debzsea on 08/02/2024 - 10:48

        Happy to switch but the deals aren't great at the moment. Skinny just has one month free for 12 month contract (not on the correct area for the cheaper wireless plans which have two months free)

        • Wakrak on 08/02/2024 - 10:52

          Slingshot 300/100 four months free via Glimp then $97 + $5 modem hire for next 8 months. I signed up via Broadband Compare. $70 a month 300/100 with modem. Good enough for me. Don't have to worry about it for 12 months.

          First option is $24 cheaper.

          Next thing I need to do is figure out who's cheap in Hamilton for power.

          • Debzsea on 08/02/2024 - 13:36

            @Wakrak: Thanks, I'll look into it.

          • Bill on 09/02/2024 - 06:10

            @Wakrak: Which first option is $24 cheaper?

            It is not environmentally friendly to be getting a new modem every 12 months.

            btw I am with Flick Electric for power.

            • Wakrak on 09/02/2024 - 08:08

              @Bill: I think I may have calculated it incorrectly (didn't take the $5 hire into consideration for the four months free). Which makes the glimp option $4 cheaper?

              Re: environment, perhaps these broadband companies should have a refurbishing process in place.

              I went with Mercury in the end. $250 credit & their low user rates aren't too far off both Franks and Powershops in Hamilton (assuming I've calculated it correctly).

              • ace310 on 09/02/2024 - 10:13

                @Wakrak: I am pretty sure most of the broadband companies have refurbishing process.

                Power calculation is very subjective depending on your usage and if at all you can shift your heavy usage to certain time of the day.

            • subculturenz on 13/02/2024 - 22:21

              @Bill: It's okay if you use them as a mesh network

        • ace310 on 08/02/2024 - 10:52

          Slingshot has 4 months via glimp
          https://www.cheapies.nz/comment/213690/redir

      • Everettpsycho on 08/02/2024 - 20:13

        I'm considering the same but 2 degrees with the $10 monthly discount is actually almost on a par with the others as long as it's done through glimp. You think they'd match that deal as it could work out to $69 a month.

        • ace310 on 08/02/2024 - 20:59

          I doubt it, but nothing wrong in trying if you have time. I have heard horror stories about bad customer support.

          • Everettpsycho on 08/02/2024 - 22:00

            @ace310: If they say no it's time to cancel outright and my partner can sign up in their name.

  • Bill on 09/02/2024 - 06:35

    Skinny fooled me. They advertise $75/month, then next to it say you can save $5 a month if you bring your own modem. Little did I know they already calculated the price with the discount factored in! Bunch of crooks.

    • subculturenz on 13/02/2024 - 22:23
      +2

      Yeah, I noticed that, you shouldn't be advertising "FREE MODEM" if any extra $5 is being charged for that modem.

      Probably should report them to COMCOM, Consumer or Fair Go because it is very misleading.

      • Bill on 14/02/2024 - 20:02

        Somehow, being misled by deceptive advertising isn't all that surprising anymore.

  • dealfinder on 12/02/2024 - 14:30
    +1

    Recently received an offer from 2degrees sales call after I used glimp to compare broadband prices.
    Deal is:
    $250 joining credit when I join power + broadband
    Broadband 97-17(special offer)-20(bundle offer)= $60 per month
    6 months prime.
    1 year contract on broadband.
    Payback 250 joing credit if switching power before 12 months.
    Do you think it's a good offer considering I am on contacts good nights plan and out of contract terms.
    Also what do people think in terms of customer support and setup with 2degrees as compared to contact.
    I rarely need to get in touch with contact energy, so far it's been good.

    • Wakrak on 12/02/2024 - 14:40

      I guess compare the rates between 2degrees power vs. your Contact energy plan & whatever else is available in your area, taking into consideration the $250 credit and the way/time you use power.

      • subculturenz on 13/02/2024 - 22:25

        Rarely is it ever a good deal to bundle Broadband with Power.

    • Bill on 12/02/2024 - 14:46
      +1

      How expensive they are for power is most important. These bundles are always carefully calculated to claw back whatever savings they offer in one area from another area.

      Companies rarely do anything because they are feeling generous.

    • ace310 on 12/02/2024 - 15:07

      Normally what my research says, that power prices are bit higher if you bundle them. Even same goes for Contact. If you bundle broadband the power prices goes bit up for same plan. At least that's what I have found for me. Normally if you do the math for 12 months on power consumption, you would be paying more than $250 on your power bill so technically taking that money back. Again, it all depends on your usage and the rates offered. So compare prices and work out your monthly cost to see where you at after 12 months.

    • justaddwater on 27/02/2024 - 12:52

      2degrees customer service depends on who gets, some staff really good, some staff are terrible and just leaves a voicemail on your phone without a phone number (expects you to queue back???)

  • LupinS on 27/02/2024 - 11:54
    +1

    Just in case anyone missed it - Slingshot currently have 12mths 300/100 for $65 via the compare sites (one of them anyway) - makes it the same as having four months free, but as an actual $65 a month for 12 months (rather than having a $9x dollar bill in the last 8 months).

    I told 2degrees to cancel yesterday via email and it's done today (today was my billing day).I can live without till tomorrow (perticularly annoyed at the automatic rolled over/charged I had to pay for a month for Prime sub I didn't care about)

  • Bill on 27/02/2024 - 19:49

    Just signed up to slingshot 4 months free. On my last week of my contract now so can't wait any longer. A 20% increase YOY.

    I thought the account dashboard looked very similar to the 2degrees one, and then I saw Two Degrees Mobile Limited at the bottom. Owned all by the same conglomerate, yet they make us waste our time switching around just to not get screwed. Real pieces of works.

    On a positive note, 2degrees call centre was very quick to respond at a peak time, and the escalations team were very helpful.

  • Flippant on 27/02/2024 - 20:31

    I joined up with Slingshot power + broadband last year. The power was quite a bit higher per unit than the company I was with but the daily fixed charge was less, as was the internet, so I was still slightly better off switching. The day before I was to be connected I received an email from them telling me that the power was increasing in price by around 30% per unit from 30.51c to 41.17c

    They never told me that the power was a variable rate when I signed up over the phone, I thought a 12 month contract meant that you were locked into the price you were told at signup, not that you're locked in for 12 months and they can increase the price as much as they want during that time.

    No joy complaining to them about it, didn't even get a call back when I asked to escalate my complaint.

    Ended up getting a credit from them after getting the Utility Disputes people involved (they were super quick to respond once the UDL contacted them), but still, dodgy practice to quote one price over the phone at signup when they must've known at the time that people signing up on that date would never be paying that price.

  • nixx on 28/02/2024 - 08:21

    I rang 2degrees yesterday to see since my 12months is up and spoke to someone from the retention team to see what they would offer before going elsewhere. They gave $15 discount a month and $100 credit to stay.

    • Jizah on 04/04/2024 - 18:19

      Check the Geekzone forums, I would avoid. And my exoerienxe, they recently had an outage of close to 24 hours and ignored the customers, deleted Facebook comments and generally sent a big F you to us all. It was crazy just how snakey they were.

  • NovaAlpha on 07/05/2024 - 18:12

    2Degrees screwed me over as well. I got upset and pulled all the accounts I have with them for multiple properties away from them.

    Hotshot is $75/month no contract and no CGNAT.

    I'm now with Slingshot on a 12 month contract, it's $60 a month and no CGNAT. It has expired but perhaps you can get in touch with the agent and he might be able to help out:
    https://www.cheapies.nz/node/45699

    • Dunno on 07/05/2024 - 18:28

      2D owns Slingshot as of almost 2 years ago, Orcon, Stuff Fibre and Slingshot were Vocus previously.

      • ace310 on 07/05/2024 - 18:37

        They still have internal systems and controls which makes them different a bit.

          • ace310 on 08/05/2024 - 15:01

            @Joe: I don't work in that industry, but it sounds more like they are going for a new connection rather than a transfer. It might be worth checking if previous person closed the account which it likely seems to me. Transfer is much easy to do and they have standard process. But re-connection has more things involved with Chorus. Maybe someone might be able to elaborate more.

        • Bill on 08/05/2024 - 23:09

          Their call staff work both lines if they are cross trained.

          I am doubtful there is much difference between the two companies as when I switched from 2d to Slingshot, Slingshot had started me on their billing system while the connection was still being provided by 2d.

          I found out because the data meter on the slingshot account center wasn't working, the operator eventually found out it was because I was still on 2d's system. I was able to successfully argue for a refund of the amount Slingshot had charged me so far (20 something days).

          • ace310 on 08/05/2024 - 23:55

            @Bill: That's only support and billing you are talking about. That has nothing to do with the actual broadband service which requires some sort of exchange no matter if both 2d and slingshot share the same chorus lines possibly in the same locations. I work in telecom industry and billing support can be same but reseller can have different rules even though they are using our infrastructure to provide the services.

            How do you explain people with slingshot not having cgnat while 2d has cgnat if everything is same internally?

            • Bill on 09/05/2024 - 02:14

              @ace310: In my case, I would still been under cgnat with slingshot had I not called up and got it manually changed over. Billing was done by slingshot but the "actual broadband service" was still being provided by 2d as there was no "exchange" like you said. Slingshot was using 2d's infrastructure systems because they didn't bother to switch me over. This is all while I have already terminated my contract with 2d. The infrastructure is still different but the services are very integrated and they can use the systems nonexclusively (slingshot customers can be operating on 2d service). So you got to be careful as they could put you behind cgnat if you're on the wrong service.

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