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Bigpipe Broadband Review

​We review Bigpipe broadband's four plans and outline the pros and cons of each, benefits and how to get the best price
Updated 2 October 2023
Summary:
  • Bigpipe in a Nutshell: Bigpipe is one of the biggest broadband providers in New Zealand and is known for offering a large number of plans for different needs
  • Coverage: New Zealand-wide broadband using ADSL, VDSL, and UFB technologies

How to get the best price on Bigpipe broadband plan:
  1. New Customers: Plans with Bigpipe are cheapest when you sign up for 12-months and don't plan to change providers for at least 12 months (therefore avoiding the early exit fee).
  2. Renewing: If you're happy with Bigpipe and would like to continue, the best approach is to compare the pricing when your contract comes up for renewal. If Bigpipe is offering a better deal than the renew rate, contact their support team and ask for them to apply it to your account.

Our review: 
In this guide, we detail the pros and cons of Bigpipe's plans, compare them side-by-side, and outline how to choose the right Bigpipe broadband plan. We cover:

Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub, shares his views on comparing broadband providers:

  • Broadband plans have never been cheaper or faster, thanks to a nationwide fibre rollout, more competition and better technology.
  • That being said, we believe what matters is reliability, speed, price and support.
  • Our best broadband providers guide and this review help you make an informed choice. Our research team is committed to keeping everything up to date so you can easily find the best deal. 
  • We don't publish complicated tables or tools for comparing broadband. Instead, we focus on making you aware of the best deals where the pricing is fixed for at least 12 months.
  • If you have something we need to know about, please contact our research team - we would love to hear from you.
  • Unlike other broadband comparison websites, we have no relationship with any broadband company, and we're proud that our guides are 100% independent.
Christopher Walsh
MoneyHub Founder

Bigpipe Broadband Plans, Setup Charges and Add-ons

Plan
Monthly Cost
Download Speed (Mbps)
Contract Type
Lite [ADSL]
$79
9.8
Open / Fixed
Classic [VDSL]
$89
42
Open / Fixed
Starter [UFB]
$79
322
Open / Fixed
Elite [UFB]
$109
881
Open / Fixed
Know this first: When comparing broadband providers, service setup charges are an essential part of the deal. In the case of Bigpipe, the installation cost will depend on the type of contract you choose – the two choices are the leave-anytime option (open term) or the 12-month fixed term. The differences in cost are significant: 
  1. Leave Anytime (Open Term): $49 standard connection fee plus a modem charge of $99 if Bigpipe supplies it
  2. Fixed Term (12 months): No charge for a standard connection and modem, early exit fee of $199 applies in case of an early termination

Important:
  • Bigpipe services are not available in some areas of New Zealand. You can check broadband availability by typing in your address here.
  • If your household does not have a pre-existing fibre connection, and it is more than 200 meters from the roadside, then you will have to pay a non-standard installation fee that will vary depending on each particular case. This fee is applicable regardless of the type of contract you signed

Bigpipe Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support

  • Bigpipe' Customer Service Hours are 8 am - 8 pm, 7 days a week.
  • Bigpipe does not have a customer service phone number. However, you can contact the New Zealand-based support team via an online form, live chat on Bigpipe’s website, or by means of the Bigpipe mobile app
  • If there is a broadband outage, Bigpipe’s support team will get back to you within 2 hours (during support hours)

Which Bigpipe Broadband Plan is the Best?

  • Our view is that, for most homes, the 'entry-level' Bigpipe Starter Broadband Plan offers the best value for your money, but better offers are available from other providers. Our broadband comparison guide has more details.

Choosing the Right Bigpipe Plans - Fibre vs Non-Fibre Broadband Plans

To determine which plan best suits your needs, consider the following specifications and features:

1. Connection Speed: In general terms, if your property is connected to the fibre network, it's going to be the fastest and arguably best value for money.

2. Flexibility:
  • All Bigpipe plans have two options - open term (which Bigpipe calls Leave Anytime option) or fixed 12-month terms. Although in theory, this offers some flexibility, the truth is that the benefits of the fixed-term arrangement are unrivalled.
 
3. Set-Up Charges:
  • The price structure used by Bigpipe reinforces the difference between a fixed and open term.
  • If you decide to opt for an open term, you will have to pay much more - combining the standard connection fee and the modem charge.
  • In contrast, if you decide to sign up for a one year contract, both the Bigpipe modem and the standard connection will be free of charge.
  • Early termination: If you sign up for the fixed contract and terminate the contract before the agreed 12 month period, an early termination applies.
  • Our view is simple - opting for the open term contract only makes sense if you are willing to use your own modem and don’t plan to be a customer within 12 months. If that’s your case, you will only pay the standard connection fee.
  • Keep in mind that homes without a pre-existing fibre connection may have to pay a non-standard installation fee if they are more than 200 meters from the road. This fee is applicable regardless of the type of contract you choose.

Bigpipe Broadband Frequently Asked Questions

To help you decide if Bigpipe is right for your home, we've included several frequently asked questions to help you know more about the service.

Is Bigpipe available at my address?

Most likely - you'll need to type in your address to see if you're covered. You can do that here under See Availability.

​Does Bigpipe offer a free modem?

Yes, Bigpipe offers the option of free modem rental with all its fixed term plans. If you prefer, you could also set up your own modem using these settings.

Does Bigpipe offer additional perks?

No, Bigpipe does not offer additional benefits. This is because Bigpipe defines itself as a company that offers "naked broadband plans" that do not require you to combine broadband with services such as electricity, gas, mobile telephone, etc. Unfortunately, this also means that Bigpipe is not able to offer some additional benefits and discounts as other broadband providers do.

Does Bigpipe offer an open term contract?

Yes, Bigpipe offers an open-term contract, but to access it you will have to pay several additional fees. Our view is that this may be impractical for most customers. 

Does Bigpipe offer discounts for broadband plans?

No - Bigpipe does not offer discounts for broadband plans.

Who owns Bigpipe?

Bigpipe is owned by Spark and launched in 2014.

Does Bigpipe offer a home phone add-on with its broadband plans?

No – despite being owned by Spark, Bigpipe only offers “naked” broadband plans.
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