Internet and mobile phone costs are a fixed household expense that many New Zealanders overpay on. If you haven’t compared plans for a while, check whether you’re paying more than current plans cost.
Unlimited fibre plans averaged $68/month (Fibre 100), $92 (Fibre 500) and $107 (Fibre Max) in 2025, and the big three networks charged $21–$70/month for pay-monthly mobile plans with up to 80 GB and $80–$90 for unlimited (Commerce Commission). If you're paying more than about $100/month for Fibre 500, you're paying more than any plan the Commission surveyed in 2025, so it's worth comparing providers.
Fibre Broadband — Average and Market Prices (2026)
NZ’s fibre network (UFB) reached about 87% of New Zealanders when the programme finished in December 2022, and Chorus and the local fibre companies (LFCs) have kept extending it. In June 2025 the LFCs upgraded the main wholesale tiers: Fibre 50 became Fibre 100 and Fibre 300 became Fibre 500. Retail providers sell internet access over the top.
Fibre broadband prices by speed tier (2025)
| Plan tier | Price range (unlimited data) | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre 100 (formerly Fibre 50) | $55–$89/month | $68/month |
| Fibre 500 (formerly Fibre 300) | $78–$99/month | $92/month |
| Fibre Max (about 900 Mbps) | $88–$125/month | $107/month |
| Hyperfibre | $99–$229/month | $160/month |
Source: Commerce Commission, 2025 Telecommunications Monitoring Report (June 2026), from provider websites. None of the three mobile network operators (Spark, One NZ, 2degrees) offered one of the 20 cheapest fibre plans, so budget brands such as Skinny and Slingshot are worth checking. MyRepublic left the NZ broadband market in 2023; its customers moved to 2degrees.
What speed do you need?
| Household usage | Recommended plan |
|---|---|
| Basic browsing, streaming (1–2 devices) | Fibre 100 or Fibre 500 |
| Streaming HD/4K on multiple devices | Fibre 500 |
| Remote work with video calls | Fibre 500 (upload speed matters) |
| Household with multiple heavy users | Fibre Max |
| Gaming enthusiast | Fibre 500+ with low latency focus |
For most households, Fibre 500 is sufficient. The upgrade to Fibre Max is rarely necessary for residential use.
Non-Fibre Options
Not all NZ addresses have fibre. Alternative options:
| Connection type | Monthly cost | Speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fixed wireless (4G/5G) | $55 – $140 (unlimited 4G averaged $88; 5G $71, 2025) | 25–200 Mbps | Rural / suburban areas |
| Starlink (low-earth-orbit satellite) | averaged $119 (2025) | 100–300 Mbps | Remote rural areas |
Starlink is significantly more expensive but has transformed internet access for remote farms and properties outside the fixed wireless coverage zone.
Mobile Phone Plans
Mobile plan prices change often, so the current 2degrees, One NZ and Skinny plan prices are kept in one table in mobile plans compared by price and data. As a benchmark, the cheapest plan covering average prepaid use cost about $25/month in 2025, against $65/month for average postpaid use (Commerce Commission, using OECD price benchmarking).
Average Spend by Household Type
| Household | Internet | Mobile (combined) | Total monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | $75 | $40 | $115 |
| Couple | $80 | $75 | $155 |
| Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teens) | $90 | $170 | $260 |
| Flatmates (3 people, shared broadband) | $90 ÷ 3 = $30 each | $40 each | $70 each |
Are You Overpaying? — How to Check
Step 1: Find your current monthly broadband cost (check your bank statement or email receipts).
Step 2: Compare at broadbandcompare.co.nz or Glimp NZ — both aggregate current market prices.
Step 3: If you’re paying more than about $100/month for Fibre 500, call your provider and ask for a retention discount.
Step 4: If no discount is offered, switch. Most providers offer:
- Pre-configured modem supplied or included in price
- Switch without interruption if staying on the same physical infrastructure
Bundling — Does It Save Money?
NZ providers often offer bundles of broadband + mobile + sometimes TV.
| Bundle type | Worth it? |
|---|---|
| Broadband + mobile (same provider) | Sometimes — compare unbundled prices first |
| Broadband + Sky TV | Rarely — streaming services are usually cheaper |
| Broadband + landline | Avoid — landlines are mostly unused |
Some providers discount broadband and mobile bought together. Compare the bundle with the best separate plans before signing.
How to Switch Broadband Providers
- Choose a new provider and sign up online — most NZ providers handle the switch for you
- Your new provider contacts Chorus (or the relevant LFC) to transfer your connection
- Your current contract is cancelled — check your notice period (usually 30 days for month-to-month, or an early termination fee for fixed-term contracts)
The modem from your old provider stays with you if you owned it, or is returned if it was a rental.