InspireNet Broadband Review
We review InspireNet's three broadband plans and outline the pros and cons of each, benefits and how to get the best price
Updated 8 February 2021
Summary:
How to get the best price on the InspireNet broadband plan:
Our review:
In this guide, we detail the pros and cons of the three plans, compare the plans side-by-side, and outline those most suitable for InspireNet for broadband. We cover:
- InspireNet in a Nutshell: InspireNet is one the most important broadband providers in New Zealand in part thanks to its diversified plans including ADSL, VDSL, Fibre, and Wireless technologies.
- Coverage: New Zealand-wide broadband and Voice over IP phone services
- Plans and Pricing: InspireNet offers three plans, the Inspire DSL Plan (starting from $65/month), the Fibre Plan (starting from $75/month), and the Inspire Wireless Plan (starting from $80/month).
How to get the best price on the InspireNet broadband plan:
- New Customers: Plans with InspireNet 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).
- Renewing: If you're happy with InspireNet and would like to continue, the best approach is to compare the pricing when your contract comes up for renewal. If InspireNet 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 those most suitable for InspireNet for broadband. We cover:
InspireNet Broadband Set Up and Installation Charges
Know this first: When comparing broadband providers, service setup charges are an essential part of the deal. In the case of InspireNet, the installation cost will depend on the type of contract you choose and the broadband technology involved – the two contract choices are open term and 12-month fixed term and the broadband technologies choices are ADSL/VDSL, Fibre, or Wireless The differences in cost are significant:
Important:
- Open Term: for DSL plans you will have to pay $148 if you already have a DSL connection at home or $298 in case you don’t. In the case of Fibre plans, you will have to pay a setup cost of $25 if you already have a fibre connection or $148 in case you don’t. A key aspect to keep in mind is that InspireNet does not provide a modem when you sign up an open contract, you will have to use your existing modem instead.
- Fixed Term (12 months): Free standard connection and free modem rental are standard on most plans. However, in the case of DSL, you will have to pay a fee of $199 if your premise doesn’t have a DSL connection. Finally, in the case of Wireless plans, the standard set up cost is $249, and in some cases, you might have to pay an extra $150 when additional equipment is required.
Important:
- The standard connection does not include the costs associated with making new fibre/DSL connections to your home, only includes connecting or setting up the service on households that already have a fibre/DSL line.
InspireNet Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support
- InspireNet's Helpdesk Hours are 7 am - 10 pm, 7 days. There's a free phone number, and a contact form at InspireNet website.
How fast is a InspireNet broadband connection?
The speed of your internet connection will be determined by the type of line available in your area. Depending on your location, InspireNet may have ADSL, VDSL, Wireless or Fibre services available. Below is a reference of what to expect from each line:
- InspireNet’s ADSL Speed: Up to 16Mbps download speed / 1Mbps upload speed
- InspireNet’s VDSL Speed: Up to 70Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed
- InspireNet’s Fibre 100 Speed: Up to 100Mbps download speed / 20Mbps upload speed
- InspireNet’s Premium Fibre Speed: Up to 950Mbps download speed / 450Mbps upload speed
Comparing InspireNet Plans - DSL vs Fibre vs Wireless Plan
InspireNet offers three broadband plans, two of which are wired and one of which is wireless, the Inspire DSL plan, the Fibre plans, and the Inspire Wireless plan. We describe the offer of each one, as well as the pros and cons.
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InspireNet DSL Broadband Plans ReviewSummary: InspireNet’s DSL plans are aimed at consumers with basic internet access needs looking for inexpensive broadband services.
The Pros:
The Cons:
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InspireNet Fibre Broadband Plans ReviewSummary: InspireNet’s Fibre Plans are ideal for kiwi families looking for fast broadband services, as well as professionals that rely on reliable high-speed connections
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Cons:
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InspireNet Wireless Broadband Plans ReviewSummary: InspireNet wireless plans are a good alternative for New Zealand households that need reliable broadband services but do not have access to copper or fibre landlines
The Pros:
Cons:
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Which InspireNet Broadband Plan is the Best?
Our view is that, for most homes, InspireNet Unlimited Fibre 100 Broadband Plan offers the best value for your money. Another good alternative in terms of value is the Unlimited ADSL/VDSL Broadband Plan which could be a good option is fibre is not available in your area.
If you live in a rural area, InspireNet’s 100GB Wireless Broadband Plan offers adequate speed and data transfer for basic internet usage.
If you live in a rural area, InspireNet’s 100GB Wireless Broadband Plan offers adequate speed and data transfer for basic internet usage.
Choosing the Right InspireNet Plan - DSL vs Fibre vs Wireless Plan
To determine which plan best suits your needs, consider the following specifications and features:
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
2. Flexibility:
3. Set-Up Charges:
4. Monthly Costs: In general, the plans InspireNet offers are priced similarly to most of its competitors. However, from a cost point of view, fibre plans provide much more value, followed by DSL plans and lastly Wireless plans.
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
- DSL-based Plans depending on the speed and data cap, DSL plans could be more than suitable for small families with basic online needs such as checking their bank accounts, reading the news, or watching YouTube videos.
- Fibre-based Plans the reliability and high speed offered by fibre plans make them an ideal option for medium-sized to large kiwi families that frequently use streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ etc. Also, fibre plans are the best alternative to content creators and professional in need of high-speed connections for work.
- Wireless Plans given their relatively low speed and limited data transfer capacity, we only recommend these plans for basic/moderate usage
2. Flexibility:
- In terms of flexibility, most InspireNet plans offer open term plans, several data cap options, unlimited transfer option, and some plans even let you choose the connection speed that better suit you. Moreover, all plans also offer the option of VoIP for people looking for a reliable and inexpensive alternative to conventional phone lines. However, if what you need is utmost flexibility, fibre plans are clearly the best option since they can be adapted to almost any use case scenario.
3. Set-Up Charges:
- The price structure used by InspireNet clearly favours 12-month plans.
- Depending on the broadband technology, (DSL, Fibre, or Wireless), if you decide to opt for an open term plan you can end up paying up to $298 for installation.
- Open term plans do not include a modem rental
- In contrast, most 12-month plans include a free modem and free standard installation.
- 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.
4. Monthly Costs: In general, the plans InspireNet offers are priced similarly to most of its competitors. However, from a cost point of view, fibre plans provide much more value, followed by DSL plans and lastly Wireless plans.
InspireNet Broadband Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide if InspireNet is right for your home, we've included several frequently asked questions to help you know more about the service.
Is InspireNet 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 InspireNet offer a free modem?
Yes, InspireNet offer the option of free modem rental with most its fixed term plans, however, all open term plans, as well as all wireless plans, will require you to use your own modem.
Does InspireNet offer additional perks?
No, most InspireNet plans are “naked” and only offer VoIP as a paid option.
Does InspireNet offer an open term contract?
Yes, InspireNet 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 InspireNet offer discounts for broadband plans?
No, InspireNet does not offer a direct discount on its plans, however, it offers free modem and in many cases free standard installation on 12-month contracts.
Who owns InspireNet?
Inspire Net Limited is a private company owned by Peter Kynoch, who is also the company Director.
Do InspireNet offer a home phone add-on with its broadband plans?
Yes – for $15-45/month, InspireNet broadband customers can sign up for the Voice over IP service.
