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Compass Broadband Review

We review Compass broadband's plans and outline the pros and cons of each, benefits and how to get the best price
Updated 2 October 2023

Summary: 
  • Compass in a Nutshell: Compass is one of New Zealand's largest broadband providers, noted for offering enormous flexibility in their plans
  • Coverage: New Zealand-wide broadband using fibre technology
 
How to get the best price on Compass broadband plan:
  1. New Customers: Plans with Compass are cheapest when you sign up for 12-months or 24-months and don't plan to change providers for at least 12/24 months (therefore avoiding the early exit fee). Their weekly (pre-paid) can also deliver savings on their Fibre 50 and Fibre 300 plans, and adding a landline on the weekly option is also cheaper than on a fixed-term contract.
  2. Renewing: If you're happy with Compass and would like to continue, the best approach is to compare the pricing when your contract comes up for renewal. If Compass 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 the three plans, compare the plans side-by-side, and outline how to choose the right Compass broadband plan for you. 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

Compass Broadband Plans, Setup Charges and Add-ons

Plan
Monthly price
Download Speed (Mbps)
Contract Type
Fibre 50
$79.99
50
Open / Fixed
Fibre 300 [UFB]
$94.99
303
Open / Fixed
Fibre Max
$109.99
828
Open / Fixed
Know this first: When comparing broadband providers, service setup charges are an essential part of the deal. In the case of Compass, the installation cost will depend on the type of contract you choose – the choices are weekly (prepaid), Open Term Monthly, 12-month fixed-term and 24-month fixed-term. The differences in cost are significant.
  • Connection cost: In most cases Compass offers free connection, except if you choose the weekly (prepaid) option to pay for your broadband, in which case you’ll be charged a one-off fee of $34.55. Please note: if you don't pay your bill for 2 weeks, you will be disconnected and will have to pay the connection fee again (read the full details).
  • Modem cost: The cost of the modem depends on the term of the contract, the prices are as follows:
  1. Weekly (Prepaid): Included in the connection fee
  2. Open Term: Buy a modem for $99 plus $15 postage; or BYO modem.
  3. 12 months: Free modem (one-off fee of $15 for postage applies).
  4. 24 months: Free modem (one-off fee of $15 for postage applies).

Know This:
  • Exit Fees:  An exit fee of $199 is applied if you terminate your plan early.
  • Discounts: Compass offers special discounts for Fixed-term contracts: You receive 2 months at half the price when you commit to a 12-month term, and 4 months at half price if you join on a 24-month term.
  • Add-ons: A Home phone connection can be included for $12 per month, or $2 per week (if on the weekly prepaid option); for fixed term plans there is also the option to add a mobile phone and power.
 
Important: 

Compass Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support

  • Compass' Customer Service can be contacted by phone, email or by using Compass helpdesk.

Comparing Compass Plans

Compass offers three fixed-line broadband plans, the Fibre 50 Plan, the Fibre 300 Plan, and the Fibre MAX Plan. We outline the offering of each, as well as the pros and cons. 

​Compass Fibre 50 Broadband Plan Review

Summary: The Compass Fibre 50 plan is a good option for NZ households looking for an inexpensive broadband plan with unlimited data and reasonable speeds   
The Pros: 
  1. Low-cost plan with adequate speeds for basic web browsing and other light tasks
  2. Unlimited data
  3. Fibre technology
  4. Free installation when choosing a fixed-term contract
 
The Cons: 
  1. Relatively expensive when compared to other providers
  2. Exit fee applies if you're on a fixed-term plan and terminate the contract early

Compass Fibre 300 Plan Review

Summary: This plan is a solid option for families who need enough bandwidth to enjoy a lag-free experience when using multiple video streaming services like Netflix or Disney+ simultaneously.   
The Pros: 
  1. Fast enough to meet the needs of most Kiwi families
  2. Flexible payment options (prepaid, open or fixed-term)
  3. Unlimited data
  4. Free installation when choosing a 12-month fixed-term contract
  5. Free installation and a free modem rental when choosing a 24-month fixed-term contract
 
Cons: 
  1. Exit fee applies if you're on a fixed-term plan and terminate the contract early

Compass Fibre MAX Plan Review

Summary: The Compass Fiber MAX plan is hands down the best option for professionals, gamers, and content creators in need of the fastest connection possible.  
The Pros: 
  1. Offers one of the fastest connection speeds available in New Zealand for its price range
  2. Flexible, with your choice of monthly or weekly payment options
  3. Unlimited data
  4. Free installation when choosing a 12-month fixed-term contract
  5. Free installation and a free modem rental when choosing a 24-month fixed-term contract
 
Cons: 
  1. Exit fee applies if you're on a fixed-term plan and terminate the contract early

Which Compass Broadband Plan is Best?

Our view is that, for most homes, the 'mid-tier' Compass Fibre 300 Plan offers the best value for money. However, if you are a content creator or your work requires the fastest broadband connection, the Fibre MAX may be a better option. Paying weekly through their pre-paid option can deliver significant savings on the Fibre 50 Plan and the Fibre 300 Plan, especially if you also select to add a landline.

Choosing the Right Compass Plan - Fibre 50 vs Fibre 300 vs Fibre MAX Broadband Plan

To determine which plan best suits your needs, consider the following specifications and features:
 
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
  • The Fibre 50 Plan is suitable for couples without children or small families with basic needs such as checking emails, reading the news, watching YouTube videos, or watching Netflix on a single screen at a time.
  • The Fibre 300 Plan is more suitable for larger families who require additional bandwidth to simultaneously enjoy 2-3 streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ etc. 
  • The Fibre MAX Plan is definitely the best alternative for creative professionals and/or gamers and streamers that require very fast download and upload speeds.
​
2. Flexibility:
  • Compass is currently one of the broadband providers offering more flexibility in New Zealand. Among the available options, there the option of a prepaid plan or fixed-term plans with 12 months or 24 months duration.
 
3. Set-Up Charges:
  • The price structure used by Compass reinforces the difference between a fixed term and an open term.
  • If you decide to opt for an open term (prepaid), you will have to pay the connection installation and might have to pay for a modem if not in the Chorus Network
  • In contrast, if you decide to sign up for a one year contract, the installation will be free of charge. Furthermore, if you decide to sign up for a two-year contract, both the installation and the modem will be free.
  • However, If you sign up for a fixed term and terminate the contract before the agreed 12 or 24 month period, you will have to pay an early termination fee.
  • 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. 

Compass Broadband Frequently Asked Questions

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

Is Compass 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 Compass offer a free modem?

Yes, Compass offers the option of free modem rental when you sign up for a 24-month contract. If you prefer, you could also set up your own modem using these guides.

Does Compass offer additional perks?

Compass does not offer free streaming services as other broadband providers do. However, it does offer discounts and interesting payment options. Compass also offers 4G Mobile plans as add-ons if you are a Broadband customer. You can browse the Mobile plans here.

Does Compass offer an open term contract?

Yes, Compass offers an open-term contract monthly and a weekly prepaid option.

Does Compass offer discounts for broadband plans?

​Yes - Compass does offer discounts for its fixed-term plans.

Who owns Compass?

Compass is owned by Compass Communications, a 100% kiwi owned independent telecommunications group

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

Yes – you can opt for a landline add-on when contracting various plans.
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