By
May 21, 2019
The choices you make regarding connection reliability, connection speed and the amount of data you have available will influence your online experience. There’s an array of options out there and navigating which one is best for your household can be overwhelming. However it needn’t be. Here’s some things to think about when choosing your broadband plan.
TO CAP OR NOT TO CAP
Most plans come with or without data caps. Homes and small business on the Chorus network consumed an average of 135GB in March 2017, more than ten times what we were using just over five years ago. To make sure your broadband plan has enough data included to cover what you’re using it for now, and in the next one to two years, it’s best to opt for an unlimited plan. Take a look at our data calculator tool to estimate how much data you may need in a month.
BROADBAND TYPE
When comparing broadband technology types, it’s important to choose the option that will ensure everything hums along at the time of day when you use the Internet most, usually that’s nights and weekends. Not all broadband types are equal in this regard so check out TrueNet’s report which compares the performance of different broadband types at different times of the day.
For the most superior online experience possible we recommend you go for the best broadband available in your area. Click here to find out what broadband options are available in your area.
Fibre
Fibre is our most popular broadband with the highest user satisfaction because it delivers the most reliable performance along with ultra-fast speeds. The speed of your connection is determined by the plan you order from your broadband provider. We recommend at least 100Mbps to really unleash the benefits.
Fibre Pro
Fibre Pro is the best residential broadband connection available on our fibre network and one of the fastest in the world, delivering download speeds of about 950Mbps. If your household needs to do a lot online at the same time or you’re after the best experience possible, Fibre Pro is the right choice for you. If you’re already connected to our fibre network, upgrading is easy – simply talk to your broadband provider. You can read more about Fibre Pro here.
Fibre 100 & 200
Fibre 100 or 200 is ideal for households wanting a very reliable and consistently fast service to do more online at the same time, without slowing anyone down. With both fibre 100 and 200, you’ll be able to do more, and do it faster, without interruption. There’s more information here about the benefits of a faster more reliable connection.
If you’re not already connected to our fibre network, there’s some work we need to do to get you connected. We currently offer standard residential fibre installations for free in areas that have fibre in the street. Some broadband providers may charge a fee for installation of their equipment, so check when placing your order.
VDSL
VDSL provides a great, reliable experience for most users. If you’re using the Internet for activities such as streaming TV, video calling, or uploading photos, VDSL will have you humming along nicely.
Part copper, part fibre broadband, VDSL is available to 80 percent of New Zealand homes and businesses. It uses our fibre network to get a broadband connection to a cabinet positioned on the street, and then the copper network from the cabinet to your house. Like fibre and ADSL it provides a dedicated connection to your home so you don’t experience a huge drop in performance during busy times, such as nights and weekends, when lots of people are online. You can read more about VDSL here and here.
ADSL
ADSL is our basic fixed line broadband service and supports everyday activities such as web browsing, online banking and emailing. If you’re wanting to do more online, it’s worth checking if you’re one of the 8 in 10 who could switch from ADSL to VDSL today. VDSL plans generally cost the same as ADSL and upgrading is simple. Contact your chosen broadband provider, they’ll upgrade your plan and send out a new modem. Easy!
Like fibre and VDSL, ADSL provides a dedicated line to your property so your broadband is just for your household and the connection from our network to your property won’t slow down significantly in peak times like nights and weekends.
Wireless broadband
Wireless broadband uses 4G mobile networks to connect users to the Internet. Unlike ADSL, VDSL and fibre, a wireless broadband signal is shared with everyone using the network which means performance diminishes at peak times and when more people around you are online. All wireless connections come with a data cap so your use of the internet is constrained.
If there’s no fixed connection at your place then wireless may be the best option but, before you lock yourself into a contract, check here first to see when fixed line network upgrades are happening at your place.
UPGRADING IS EASY
A better connection means more reliability, faster speeds and a generally more enjoyable experience online. To find out if you’re one of the 1.4 million kiwis who could get better broadband today, visit askforbetter.co.nz.
Once you get your broadband connection sorted make sure your home is set up to maximise your online experience. Find out about the other factors affecting your online experience.
Keep in touch
Twitter: @ChorusNZ
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Chorusnz/
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