Flip Broadband Review
We review Flip's single broadband plan and outline its pros and cons, benefits and what you need to know
Updated 12 May 2022
Summary:
How to get the best price on Flip broadband plan:
Our review:
In this guide, we detail the pros and cons of the Flip broadband plan, so you can judge if it suits your needs. We cover:
- Flip in a Nutshell: Flip is one of the most popular broadband providers in New Zealand. As we will see in this guide, the broadband provided by Flip is aimed at anyone looking for pure fibre services, with no fixed contracts and no credit barriers.
- Coverage: Flip provides broadband services for all of New Zealand
- Plans and Pricing: Flip offers a single broadband plan, the Fibre Plan which is priced at $14 when paid weekly
How to get the best price on Flip broadband plan:
- New Customers: Flip offers a flat "prepaid" pricing structure, so you always know exactly how much to pay, with no surprises or surcharges.
- Renewing: Given its prepaid nature, you are not tied to any contract. You are free to switch to another broadband provider any time.
Our review:
In this guide, we detail the pros and cons of the Flip broadband plan, so you can judge if it suits your needs. We cover:
Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub, shares his views on comparing broadband providers:
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Flip Broadband Set Up and Installation Charges
Know this first: When comparing broadband providers, service setup charges are an essential part of the deal.
Important:
- Fibre access point installation. In the case of Flip, the standard installation cost is just $25. However, additional costs may apply.
- Modem cost. Flip can send you a refurbished high-speed AC Wi-Fi Modem for free (though there is a $25 postage fee). If you prefer, you can also use your own modem.
Important:
- Keep in mind that if your home does not have an existing fibre connection, your local fibre provider may charge extra for the fibre connection.
Flip Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support
- Flip's Tech Support Hours are 8 am - 10 pm, during weekdays, 8 am to 8 pm on Saturdays, and 10 am to 5 pm on Sundays, Easter Saturday & Public Holidays. There's also a free phone number as well as a Help Centre to assist you in case your internet is not working.
How Fast is a Flip Broadband Connection?
Flip only offers fibre connections using either Chorus or other fibre broadband networks. Below is a reference of what to expect from each type of connection:
- Flip’s Fibre Broadband Speed (provided by Chorus network): Up to 50Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed
- Flip’s Fibre Broadband Speed (provided by other networks): Up to 30Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed
Understanding a Flip Fibre Plan
As mentioned above, Flip only offers one plan, the Fibre Broadband Plan, the pros and cons of which we will discuss below.
Flip Fibre Broadband Plan Review
Summary: Flip's fibre broadband plan is aimed at New Zealand families looking for a hassle-free, uncomplicated service good enough to meet their basic online needs
The Pros:
The Cons:
- Pricing: $14/week – up to 50Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed (Chorus network) or up to 30Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed (other fibre networks)
- Discount: There are no special discounts associated with this plan.
- Learn more: For more details regarding the ADSL plan visit Flip's Broadband page
The Pros:
- Unlimited data transfer, no caps, no speed throttling
- Prepaid, meaning you have no contact and no exit fees
- Competitive price
- Your choice of topping up your account weekly or fortnightly
- No credit checks required
- Inexpensive modem, you only pay a one-time fee of $25 for postage and handling
- Affordable installation, you only pay $25 for the standard fibre setup
The Cons:
- The fibre speeds offered by Flip are comparable to VDSL plans offered by the competition
- Not available in certain areas of New Zealand. You can check availability by entering your address on Flip’s website.
Evaluating Flip’s Broadband Plan
To determine if Flip’s broadband suits your needs, consider the following specifications and features:
1. Connection Speed:
2. Flexibility:
3. Set-Up Charges:
4. Monthly Costs:
1. Connection Speed:
- Overall, Flip connection speed is adequate for basic to moderate tasks such as checking email, reading news, and enjoying light video streaming from services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+. However, even though Flip uses fibre technology, the 50/10 Mbps speed offered by Flip’s broadband will not be enough for content creators and other professionals who need downloading and uploading large files on a daily basis.
2. Flexibility:
- Since Flip is a prepaid service it offers great flexibility. There are no fixed-term contracts, no break fees, and no strings attached. You can leave the service at any time, however, according to Flip’s Terms and Conditions, charges will stop 30 days after you notify your intention of terminating the agreement of service.
3. Set-Up Charges:
- One of the great advantages of Flip is its extremely low installation costs. If you already have a fibre connection at your home, you will only have to pay a standard rate of $25. On the other hand, if your home does not have a fibre connection, you must pay your local fibre provider to carry out the installation. Regarding the modem, you have the option of receiving a refurbished high-speed modem for $25 or using your own.
4. Monthly Costs:
- Despite not offering the fastest speeds on the market, we must admit that the price offered by Flip is highly competitive. If you also consider that you do not require any credit check to use the service, we can conclude that Flip offers a very practical solution that could be interesting for both tenants and owners who do not want a fixed-term contract.
Flip Broadband Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide if Flip is right for your home, we've included several frequently asked questions to help you know more about the service.
Is Flip 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 Flip offer a free modem?
Flip can send you a free high-speed refurbished modem for just $25 (which covers postage and handling).
Does Flip offer additional perks?
No, unlike other broadband providers, Flip does not offer additional perks.
Does Flip offer an open term contract?
Yes, in fact, Flip does not offer fixed-term contracts, all its plans are open term with no exit fees.
Does Flip offer discounts for broadband plans?
No, Flip does not include any discounts with its fibre plan.
Who owns Flip?
Flip is owned by the Vocus Group, a leading Australian company specialized in fibre and network solutions that also owns Slingshot and Orcon.
Does Flip offer a home phone add-on with its broadband plans?
No – Flip does not provide phone lines.
