Read and leave reviews for all providers in New Zealand
At Everytel, we cover all providers active in New Zealand. If you’re an existing customer, you can leave a review of your experiences, and if you’re weighing up different options, you can read reviews and easily compare each provider’s services – from prepaid plans and pay monthly to data only SIMs.
With so many providers on the market today, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. However, it is actually quite straightforward – as long as you focus on certain factors when comparing the different options. Below, we’ve listed the key considerations to keep in mind to help you make the best and most cost-effective choice.
Choose your provider based on the following factors
- Usage habits (data vs. Wi-Fi): Do you rely on Wi-Fi at home and work, or are you a heavy mobile data user? If you stream music or video on the go, look for “Endless Data” plans. If you only use your phone occasionally, a prepay plan with a 28-day cycle is often cheaper.
- Contract vs. Open Term: Most NZ providers offer “Open Term” plans (cancel anytime with 30 days’ notice). However, signing a 12 or 24-month contract can sometimes get you a subsidized smartphone or a discount on the plan.
- Bundling utilities: New Zealand has a unique market where power companies also sell mobile and broadband. Providers like Contact Energy, Nova Energy, and Electric Kiwi offer discounts if you put your electricity and mobile on the same bill.
- Roaming needs: If you travel frequently to Australia or the UK, compare the roaming packs. Spark, One NZ and 2degrees all offer a flat daily rate (usually around $8/day) to use your home plan abroad.
Mobile providers that share networks
In New Zealand, there are only three physical Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). All other providers (MVNOs) use these networks.
| Spark | One NZ | 2degrees |
|---|---|---|
| Skinny | Mighty Mobile | Warehouse Mobile |
| Digital Island (Business) | Rocket Mobile | Slingshot / Orcon / Flip |
| Megatel | Kogan Mobile | Nova Mobile |
| Contact Mobile | Electric Kiwi | |
| Voyager | ||
| 2talk |
Which mobile operator offers the best network coverage?
Coverage is the single most important factor in New Zealand due to the mountainous terrain and rural geography.
- Urban coverage: In cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, all three major networks (Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees) provide excellent 4G coverage and rapidly expanding 5G zones.
- Rural coverage (RBI): Coverage in rural areas can vary significantly. While the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) has improved shared coverage in remote spots, Spark typically has the most extensive legacy network in deep rural areas. Always check the specific coverage map for your region before signing up.
Who has the fastest mobile internet?
Both One NZ and Spark are aggressively rolling out 5G, offering fibre-like speeds in major centres. 2degrees is also rolling out 5G but coverage is currently slightly more limited compared to the other two.
It is important to note that most “Endless” or “Unlimited” mobile plans in NZ have a speed cap. You get full speed for a set amount (e.g., 40 GB), after which your speed is reduced (usually to 1.2 Mbps) for the rest of the month.
Who are the largest broadband providers in New Zealand?
- Spark (Includes Skinny and Bigpipe)
- One NZ (Formerly Vodafone NZ)
- 2degrees (Includes Slingshot, Orcon, and Flip)
Which broadband provider offers the fastest broadband?
Which provider offers the fastest broadband depends heavily on whether you live in an area covered by the Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) fibre network or in a rural zone.
- Fibre Max & Hyperfibre: For the vast majority of New Zealanders (over 87% of the population), the fibre network is already fully built. Most providers – including Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees – offer “Fibre Max” speeds of around 900 Mbps. For extreme users, the absolute fastest option is Hyperfibre, which offers speeds of 2,000 Mbps to 4,000 Mbps (or even 8 Gbps in select areas). This is currently offered by tech-focused providers like 2degrees and Orcon.
- Rural and wireless: If you live outside the UFB fibre zone, speeds are generally slower. Your best fast option is usually 4G/5G Wireless Broadband or a Low Earth Orbit satellite connection like Starlink, rather than the older copper ADSL/VDSL network which is being phased out.
Which providers have the highest customer satisfaction?
According to recent surveys by Consumer NZ and the Commerce Commission, budget-friendly providers like Skinny (owned by Spark) and 2degrees often rank highest for customer satisfaction in the mobile sector.
In the broadband market, Skinny retains its top-tier status, consistently leading in residential satisfaction. They are joined by service-focused providers like Now and Voyager (winner of the People’s Choice Award 2024), who outperform the market average by offering superior local customer support. In contrast, larger legacy providers often score lower due to longer call centre wait times and unresolved technical issues.
Digital-first providers like Kogan or Skinny handle support primarily online/via apps, which helps keep prices low but may not suit those who prefer visiting a physical store.
Can you switch provider if you’re not satisfied?
Yes, switching providers is generally straightforward, though the process differs slightly between mobile and broadband.
Switching mobile providers
Switching mobile providers is free and simple thanks to Mobile Number Portability (MNP). You do not need to call your old provider to cancel. Simply buy a SIM card from your new provider and request to port your number.
You will receive a validation text message (from your old provider) that you must reply “YES” to. The process typically takes between 1 and 3 hours during business days.
Switching broadband providers
While you can switch broadband at any time, most providers require a 30-day notice period to cancel your existing plan. Unlike with mobile, it is best to contact your current provider to give notice so you aren’t billed for two connections simultaneously.
Once you have signed up with a new provider, they will handle the technical transfer of your connection (e.g., via Chorus). The switch usually happens remotely with minimal downtime – often just a few minutes. Note that if you are on a fixed-term contract, you may be charged an early termination fee.
