NovaEnergy Broadband Review
We review NovaEnergy broadband's three plans and outline the pros and cons of each, benefits and how to get the best price.
Updated 20 July 2021
Summary:
How to get the best price on NovaEnergy broadband plan:
Our review:
This guide details the three plans’ pros, and cons compare the plans side-by-side and outline how to choose the best NovaEnergy broadband plan for you. We cover:
- NovaEnergy in a Nutshell: NovaEnergy is one of the largest broadband, gas, and electricity providers nationwide whose main goal is delivering the best value with its bundle energy + broadband plans.
- Coverage: NovaEnergy broadband services are not available in all areas. According to Nova’s website, the broadband service is limited to the North Island and only as far south as Timaru in the South Island. To find out what type of service is available in your area, visit their website and enter your address.
- Plans and Pricing: NovaEnergy offers three plans, the Everyday Bundle Plan (from $69/month), the Extra 100 Plan (from $89/month), and the Freedom Plan (from $89/month). The catch with NovaEnergy is you have to bundle energy and gas to get the cheapest prices - without either option it's an extra $20/month more.
How to get the best price on NovaEnergy broadband plan:
- New Customers: Plans with NovaEnergy are cheapest when you sign up for 12-months and bundle broadband with gas or electricity plans and don’t plan to change providers for at least 12 months (therefore avoiding the early exit fee).
- Renewing: If you're happy with NovaEnergy and would like to continue, the best approach is to compare the pricing when your contract comes up for renewal. If NovaEnergy offers a better deal than the renew rate, contact their support team and ask for them to apply it to your account.
Our review:
This guide details the three plans’ pros, and cons compare the plans side-by-side and outline how to choose the best NovaEnergy broadband plan for you. We cover:
Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub, shares his views on comparing broadband providers:
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NovaEnergy 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 NovaEnergy, the installation cost will depend on the type of plan you choose – bundle broadband + energy plans (Everyday or Extra) or the Naked broadband plan (Freedom).
Important:
- Naked Broadband: The Freedom plan allows you to contract only broadband service without the need to be a NovaEnergy gas or electricity customer. The standard installation is free; however, you will have to bring your own modem (BYO) or buy one with NovaEnergy ($119 + $15 delivery fee)
- Bundle Broadband Plans: Whether you are a new NovaEnergy customer or an established customer, you can benefit from the bundled plans. These plans offer free standard installation and a free modem (only $15 shipping fee applies). Additionally, you have the option to sign up for Plume Starter Pack and enjoy 3 months free of charge
Important:
- NovaEnergy does not charge for installation for its VDSL or Standard Fibre plans; however, a special installation fee applies to non-standard fibre installations or any new ADSL or VDSL connections.
NovaEnergy Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support
- NovaEnergy's Customer Support Hours are from Monday to Friday, 7:30 am - 7 pm, via their free number (0800 668 236) or email [email protected]. Additionally, you can contact customer support via their helpdesk.
How Fast is a NovaEnergy Broadband Connection?
The speed of your internet connection will be determined by the type of line available in your area. Depending on your location, NovaEnergy may have ADSL, VDSL, Standard Fibre or the Fibre Boost lines available. Below is a reference of what to expect from each line:
- NovaEnergy’s ADSL Speed: Up to 10Mbps download speed / 1Mbps upload speed
- NovaEnergy’s VDSL Speed: Up to 50Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed
- NovaEnergy’s Fibre Speed: Up to 100Mbps download speed / 20Mbps upload speed
- NovaEnergy’s Fibre Boost Speed: Up to 950Mbps download speed / 450Mbps upload speed
Comparing NovaEnergy Plans - Everyday Bundle vs TV Bundle vs Freedom Broadband Plan
NovaEnergy offers three fixed-line broadband plans, the Everyday Bundle Plan, the TV Bundle, and the Freedom Plan. For an extra $10/month, any of these plans can be upgraded with a home phone line that enables you to perform local calls within NZ. We outline the offering of each, as well as the pros and cons.
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NovaEnergy Everyday Bundle Broadband Plan ReviewSummary: NovaEnergy's Everyday Bundle Plan offers an incredible combination of flexibility and bandwidth ideal for New Zealand families and online professionals alike.
The Pros:
The Cons:
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NovaEnergy TV Bundle Plan ReviewSummary: As an upgrade of the Everyday Bundle plan, the TV Bundle includes broadband, electricity and gas AND an LG Smart TV.
The Pros:
The Cons:
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NovaEnergy Freedom Plan ReviewSummary: As its name suggests, the Freedom Plan is aimed at all those New Zealand families who want to enjoy NovaEnergy's broadband but without having to contract its other services.
The Pros:
The Cons:
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Which NovaEnergy Broadband Plan is the Best?
Our view is that the Everyday Bundle Plan is hard to beat for those who seek the best value. On the other hand, for people who don’t feel comfortable with being tied to other NovaEnergy services, the Freedom Plan still offers decent value.
Choosing the Right NovaEnergy Plan - Everyday Bundle vs Extra vs Freedom Broadband Plan
Unlike other broadband providers, NovaEnergy does not classify its plans by connection speed; on the contrary, it always installs the fastest type of connection available in the area where you live. For this reason, you should be the one to determine whether the speed available in your area is convenient or not for your particular use case.
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
2. Flexibility:
3. Set-Up Charges:
4. Monthly Costs: NovaEnergy currently offers one of the most competitive fibre broadband plans in New Zealand, the Everyday Bundle. Keep in mind that to enjoy its low price you must have your household electricity AND gas services with NovaEnergy.
5. Additional perks: Other than the free or discounted LG Smart TV offered under the TV Bundle, NovaEnergy doesn't stand out for providing additional perks with its plans.
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
- NovaEnergy’s ADSL Plans: Copper-based ADSL lines are limited to 10/1 Mbps speeds. That translates into certain disadvantages, such as not using multiple 4k Netflix screens or similar bandwidth-hungry applications. Simply put, ADSL plans offer adequate speed for basic Internet usage.
- NovaEnergy’s VDSL Plans: A step up over ADSL, VDSL offers a connection speed adequate to perform common online tasks, from reading the news and emails to watching YouTube videos or streaming services. In other words, you can choose this plan if your home does not require heavy use of bandwidth-consuming applications.
- NovaEnergy’s Fibre Plans: Fffer more than enough speed for larger families of 5 or more members that require lots of bandwidth to enjoy HD streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ etc. This plan also offers adequate speed and bandwidth for most online professionals and content creators.
- NovaEnergy’s Fibre Boost Plans: If you work at home or your household requires above average bandwidth, then our suggestion is opting for Fibre Boost. With connection speeds up to 950/450 Mbps, Fibre Boost will not disappoint any content creator or online professional who needs superior bandwidth.
2. Flexibility:
- Two of the three plans offered by NovaEnergy (Everyday Bundle and TV Bundle) require you to be a customer of one of its other services (electricity or natural gas) to be eligible for broadband services. This requirement could be an inconvenience for some New Zealanders; for this reason, NovaEnergy also offers the Freedom Plan, which does not have this limitation.
- On the other hand, two of the three plans that NovaEnergy makes available (Everyday Bundle and Freedom) are of the "open term" type which provides enormous flexibility, especially for rental properties.
3. Set-Up Charges:
- If you sign up to any of NovaEnergy “bundle” plans (Everyday Bundle or TV Bundle) you get a free modem; however, if you opt for the “naked” broadband Freedom plan, then you will have to bring your own modem or buy one from NovaEnergy ($119 + $15 handling fee).
- Unlike other broadband providers, NovaEnergy does not disadvantage customers opting for open term plans; therefore, all plans include free standard installation. The only exception to this rule are homes that do not have a previous fibre or ADSL/VDSL connection, in which case, additional installation costs apply.
4. Monthly Costs: NovaEnergy currently offers one of the most competitive fibre broadband plans in New Zealand, the Everyday Bundle. Keep in mind that to enjoy its low price you must have your household electricity AND gas services with NovaEnergy.
5. Additional perks: Other than the free or discounted LG Smart TV offered under the TV Bundle, NovaEnergy doesn't stand out for providing additional perks with its plans.
NovaEnergy Broadband Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide if NovaEnergy is right for your home, we've included several frequently asked questions to help you know more about the service.
Is NovaEnergy available at my address?
If you live in the North Island or down to Timaru in the South Island then yes, NovaEnergy is available at your address. You can check both availability and the type of broadband service available by entering your address on Nova's website.
Does NovaEnergy offer a free modem?
Yes, NovaEnergy offers the option to rent a free modem with its bundle plans. Alternatively, you can bring your own modem (BYO) when opting for the Freedom plan.
Does NovaEnergy offer additional perks?
NovaEnergy’s TV Bunlde Plan offers an LG Smart TV. Aside from that, there are no other additional perks in the Extra or any other of NovaEnergy plans.
Does NovaEnergy offer an open term contract?
Yes, NovaEnergy offers an open-term contract for its Everyday Bundle and Freedom Plans.
Does NovaEnergy offer discounts for broadband plans?
NovaEnergy offers discounted prices when you bundle broadband with electricity and/or natural gas services.
Who owns NovaEnergy?
Nova Energy is part of the Todd Corporation which is owned and controlled by the Todd family as a privately held company.
Does NovaEnergy offer a home phone add-on with its broadband plans?
Yes, you can add unlimited local calls for $10/month to any of NovaEnergy plans.
