BigPipe is one of NZ’s most budget-focused broadband providers — a no-frills fibre ISP competing primarily on price. Support is entirely online with no phone number, which keeps costs down and passes savings to customers. If you value the lowest possible monthly bill over everything else and don’t mind the trade-offs, BigPipe is worth considering.
Plans: Fibre 300, Fibre 900
Fibre 300: ~$55/month (no contract)
Support: Online only — no phone number, no chat support
Best for: Absolute budget minimum; tech-savvy users who can self-troubleshoot
BigPipe Plans (2026)
| Plan | Speed | Monthly cost | Contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre 300 | 300 Mbps / 100 Mbps | ~$55/month | None |
| Fibre 900 | 900 Mbps / 500 Mbps | ~$75/month | None |
Unlimited data, no contract. Check bigpipe.co.nz for current pricing.
BigPipe’s Strengths
1. One of the cheapest fibre plans in NZ BigPipe consistently sits at the bottom of the NZ broadband price table. At ~$55/month for Fibre 300, they match Skinny’s pricing.
2. No-contract flexibility Month-to-month, no lock-in. Switch whenever you want.
3. Unlimited data No data caps.
4. Same Chorus fibre infrastructure BigPipe connects through Chorus — the same fibre to your home as every other retailer. Same speeds, same physical connection quality.
BigPipe’s Weaknesses
1. No phone support — not even chat This is BigPipe’s defining limitation. Support is via email and online ticketing only. There is no phone number and no live chat. If your internet goes down and you need help, you submit a ticket and wait.
For many households this is fine — most broadband issues are either self-solvable (router restart, etc.) or resolved quickly by submitting a ticket. But if you want real-time support during an outage, BigPipe isn’t designed for that.
2. Slower support response times Email/ticket support inherently takes longer than phone or chat. During periods of high demand or network issues, resolution times can stretch.
3. Very limited product range No 5G options, no fixed wireless, no mobile, no power bundle. Just broadband.
Who Is BigPipe Best For?
- Tech-savvy households comfortable diagnosing and solving their own internet issues
- Properties where internet downtime is not critical (holiday homes, bachs, secondary residences)
- Students and budget-conscious households prioritising minimum monthly cost
- Households that have had BigPipe before and know the support limitations are acceptable
BigPipe vs Skinny
Both are at the same price point — the main differences:
| Feature | BigPipe | Skinny |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre 300 price | ~$55/month | ~$55/month |
| Support | Email/ticket only | Online + webchat |
| Mobile plans | No | Yes (Skinny Mobile) |
| Router included | Check current offer | Typically yes |
Skinny is generally the better budget choice because it adds webchat support for the same price. BigPipe is for customers who genuinely need the absolute minimum and won’t need support.
Verdict
BigPipe delivers what it promises: cheap fibre broadband with no extras. If you’re confident in your ability to self-troubleshoot and want the absolute minimum monthly broadband cost, BigPipe is legitimate. For most households, Skinny offers the same price with slightly better support — making BigPipe the choice only for those who know exactly what they’re getting into.
Rating: 3/5 — Cheapest available, but support limitations matter.