Best Rural Broadband Providers and Plans
Our review compares the specific rural broadband plans offered by Wireless Nation, Farmside, Spark, Vodafone, 2degrees and other providers
Updated 8 January 2020
Rural broadband has progressed from slow, unreliable connections to fast and reliable broadband thanks to the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative, or RBI. Using a combination of copper, Fibre and wireless networks, rural broadband continues to be improved and upgraded.
With better infrastructure, rural broadband plans have become better priced, faster and more generous with data. To help you find the best rural broadband plan, our guide covers:
Important: This guide covers 4G-delivered rural broadband. Due to the limited demand for satellite internet, we have not included a satellite plan comparison in our rural broadband review below.
With better infrastructure, rural broadband plans have become better priced, faster and more generous with data. To help you find the best rural broadband plan, our guide covers:
- Rural Broadband Networks - A Brief Background
- Best Rural Broadband Providers and Plans
- Specialised Rural Broadband Providers Nationwide
- Frequently Asked Questions
Important: This guide covers 4G-delivered rural broadband. Due to the limited demand for satellite internet, we have not included a satellite plan comparison in our rural broadband review below.
Compare Rural Broadband Plans With Our Top 2 Providers
- Our research highlighted a shortlist of two service-driven and value-leading rural broadband providers. We suggest contacting Wireless Nation and Farmside to see if their networks cover your area. While Vodafone owns Farmside and they offer the same plans specs, we stand by Farmside based on its track record of customer service.
- Both providers offer transparent pricing, are rural-focused and have an exceptional record of customer service. Both offer 24-month terms.
- If service is not available, we suggest contacting a specialist regional rural broadband provider - you can find a full list here.
- Advertising Disclosure: Our reviews and research are based on a multi-metric assessment of each rural broadband provider. We have no relationship (financial, commercial or otherwise) with any of the providers listed on this guide.
Rural Broadband Networks - A Brief Background
Know this first - is rural broadband slower than connections in cities?
It depends - isolated New Zealanders are usually further away from the nearest cabinet than houses in a town or city (a cabinet is a box located around suburbs that that delivers broadband). This means that the speeds are slower as the further the distance from the cabinet as broadband power is lost as the distance extends. In some areas where the usual broadband connections aren’t fast or cost-effective, wireless and satellite-based broadband connections can provide a better rural broadband solution.
Beyond the RBI, the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) is a joint venture between the government and Vodafone (LINK), Spark and 2degrees working together to deliver phase 2 of the rural broadband initiative by December 2022.
The aim is to allow 80% of rural New Zealand to access broadband by increasing coverage from 400+ new cell-sites and reducing mobile blackspots.
Beyond the RBI, the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) is a joint venture between the government and Vodafone (LINK), Spark and 2degrees working together to deliver phase 2 of the rural broadband initiative by December 2022.
The aim is to allow 80% of rural New Zealand to access broadband by increasing coverage from 400+ new cell-sites and reducing mobile blackspots.
Existing rural broadband options:
1. Mobile-based networks:
2. Cable-based networks:
3. Satellite-based networks:
- 3G Aerial – the slowest type, using the 3G mobile network.
- 4G Aerial – faster than 3G, this connection still needs a professional installation to connect with a 4G network
- 4G Mobile – this is the fastest mobile connection and no installation is required (customers connect with a 4G modem)
2. Cable-based networks:
- ADSL – this is a copper phone line-based connection. Rural locations using ADSL technology often experience slow speeds given their remoteness from local exchanges. Because of the medium used for the connection (copper), the longer the distance from the exchange, the slower the internet speed for the user. Spark, for example, confirms that their 4G network is faster than their ADSL.
- Fibre broadband – connections are made using a high-speed fibre-optic cable which avoids the loss of speed experienced by rural ADSL connections.
3. Satellite-based networks:
- Satellite broadband – this is aimed at the most remote of locations, such as the Chatham Islands, isolated farms and stations, and for any property that can’t access mobile signal, VDSL or Fibre networks. Speeds of up to 30 Mbps are available, but it is expensive, and setup costs can be high.
Is having an antenna better than a modem, and when do I need an aerial or antenna?
If you can connect to 4G rural broadband using a modem, it's likely your reception is better than anyone needing an antenna, meaning your connection will be better. The best place to start is using a tool like Wireless Nation's rural broadband coverage map to see what's available at your address. Generally:
- If your address falls outside 4G PnP zone but within 3G or 4G aerial, then you'll need an antenna.
- If your address falls within 4G PnP coverage, then you'll likely just need a modem
- If you're somewhere in the middle, it's almost always best to try a modem first and then, if it's not effective, purchase an aerial or antenna.
Know this: Some providers charge based on the time when you use the data (peak/off peak/ any time)
While many plans don't have this limit, some do, and it is something to be aware of as it may cause you to time when you make big downloads.
Best Rural Broadband Providers and Plans
Our list below covers the six nationwide rural broadband providers currently available - Farmside, 2degrees, NetSpeed, Spark, Vodafone and Wireless Nation.
If these service providers are unable to assist due to your location, our list of Specialised Rural Broadband Providers may be able to help.
If these service providers are unable to assist due to your location, our list of Specialised Rural Broadband Providers may be able to help.
Our Top Two Rural Broadband Providers
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Wireless Nation Rural Broadband Plans
Our view: In summary, we believe Wireless Nation offers the best rural broadband. Wireless Nation offers outstanding value plans and continues to double down on its rural customer focus. The solid track record of satisfied customers (evidenced by hundreds of verified online reviews) and the backing of the Spark network to deliver rural broadband suggests Wireless Nation is one of the strongest nationwide specialists for those living away from copper lines or fibre.
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Farmside Rural Broadband PlansImportant: Vodafone purchased Farmside in 2018 and offers rural broadband under its own brand, as well as Farmside. Vodafone continues to invest and market both brands, although for rural broadband, Vodafone and Farmside plans are the same or very similar by way of data and pricing.
Our view: Farmside is a strong runner up to Wireless Nation and continues to receive outstanding customer reviews and has grown its reach by using the extensive Vodafone network. While Vodafone has historically had a troubled image, Farmside is managed and operated from its Timaru base and reliably serves thousands of rural clients.
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Other Providers Worth Considering
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Spark Rural Broadband PlansKnow this first: Spark offers two options under its Rural Wireless Broadband offering. The terms, pricing and data is different to its Unplan Wireless Broadband and should not be confused. see the Unplan Terms.
Our view: Spark offers New Zealand's most extensive 4G network, and its two standard plans are competitive with specialist rural providers. Its open term is attractive for anyone looking for a short-term connection and/or wants to minimise being fixed into a service that may not be suitable. For all rural plans, Spark requires you to buy a modem (or antenna if required), although it does offer interest-free financing.
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2degrees Rural Broadband PlansImportant: 2degrees offers a free two-month trial. While you'll need to sign up to a standard plan, 2degrees posts out a modem for you to connect with. If you don't want to continue with the service, you simply call and cancel and then post the modem back.
Our view: 2degrees leads the market with a try-before-you-commit two-month trial. The single plan, offering a sizeable 170GB of data, is very competitive, as are the extensive support hours. However, 2degrees does receive a stream of negative reviews (specifically about their customer service/accounts assistance) for its mobile plans (although this doesn't affect the reliability of its 4G network, nor, presumably, the simplicity of its single rural broadband plan pricing).
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NetSpeed Rural Broadband Plans
Our view: NetSpeed is relatively unknown but does provide a nationwide service and is committed to transparent pricing. It also offers a 'build your own' plan which may appeal to those with specific data needs.
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Vodafone Rural Broadband Plans
Our view: Vodafone's network and acquisition of Farmside demonstrates its rural focus, with two plans as well as a voice calling option. However, Vodafone does receive a stream of negative reviews (specifically about their customer service, broadband connection and accounts assistance).
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Compare Rural Broadband Plans With Our Top 2 Providers
- Our research highlighted a shortlist of two service-driven and value-leading rural broadband providers. We suggest contacting Wireless Nation and Farmside to see if either of their networks covers your area. While Vodafone owns Farmside and they offer the same plans specs, we stand by Farmside based on its track record of customer service.
- Both providers offer transparent pricing, are rural-focused and have an exceptional record of customer service. Both offer 24-month terms.
- If service is not available, we suggest contacting a specialist regional rural broadband provider - you can find a full list here.
- Advertising Disclosure: Our reviews and research are based on a multi-metric assessment of each rural broadband provider. We have no relationship (financial, commercial or otherwise) with any of the providers listed on this guide.
Specialised Rural Broadband Providers Nationwide
It's quite likely your location may be beyond the reach of the nationwide providers. If this is the case, this list of local rural broadband providers can help you find a service that reaches your address.
Northland and Rural Auckland Rural Broadband Providers (including the West Coast Beaches and Hauraki Gulf Islands)
Waikato and Bay of Plenty Rural Broadband Providers
Gisborne and Hawkes Bay Rural Broadband Providers
Manawatu, Wanganui, Wairarapa and Taranaki Rural Broadband Providers
Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast and Tasman Rural Broadband Providers
Canterbury Rural Broadband Providers
Otago and Southland Rural Broadband Providers
Rural Broadband - Frequently Asked Questions
Rural Broadband is improving thanks to government initiatives, but questions remain. We've anticipated the most common queries below. If you have a Rural Broadband question we've not answered, please contact our research team.
What is the best broadband for rural areas?
There is no single 'best provider' – what’s most suitable for you depends on your location and what connection(s) you have available. We believe that if you can get a fibre connection, that should be your first choice, followed by a 4G mobile broadband connection. Failing that, ADSL is an option, and if you’re entirely off the grid, satellite internet is likely to be the only option.
The best place to start is to see what connections are available using the Chorus, Vodafone and Spark rural broadband map availability.
The best place to start is to see what connections are available using the Chorus, Vodafone and Spark rural broadband map availability.
How do I improve my existing rural broadband’s connection speed?
Again, the best starting point is to see all the available broadband options using the Chorus, Vodafone and Spark tools. If you’re currently on a 4G rural broadband plan but Fibre is now available through the Rural Broadband Initiative, you will almost certainly have a better experience by switching to a Fibre plan.
Why is rural broadband slow and expensive?
This is increasingly becoming a misconception. New Zealand’s rural community is extensive and is found in all corners of the country; over mountains, next to the coast and in the middle of sparsely populated regions. The cost of providing an internet connection is expensive, given the associated upfront and ongoing infrastructure costs. These costs are passed on to the users, which are rurally-based customers.
Things are changing, however, and monthly rural broadband costs continue to fall as the technology available improves. 2degrees, Spark and Vodafone (LINK) have extended their 4G mobile networks to serve rural communities, which has meant Chorus (the government’s installer of copper internet cables) doesn’t need to lay cables. New mobile/wireless broadband coverage is being rolled out to tens of thousands of rural homes under the Rural Broadband Initiative Phase Two and the Mobile Black Spot Fund (RBI2/MBSF).
Things are changing, however, and monthly rural broadband costs continue to fall as the technology available improves. 2degrees, Spark and Vodafone (LINK) have extended their 4G mobile networks to serve rural communities, which has meant Chorus (the government’s installer of copper internet cables) doesn’t need to lay cables. New mobile/wireless broadband coverage is being rolled out to tens of thousands of rural homes under the Rural Broadband Initiative Phase Two and the Mobile Black Spot Fund (RBI2/MBSF).
Is Fibre available in rural locations?
Yes – but it is limited as the government’s priority is delivering Fibre to rural schools, libraries, cell sites, hospitals and medical facilities, rather than agricultural locations. However, Fibre is also available to eligible farms and homes. To see where rural Fibre is available, check the Chorus broadband rollout map.
If Fibre is available, Chorus suggests talking to a broadband provider about availability, plans and installation costs. The cost of Fibre connections will depend on:
Chorus states that if Fibre is unavailable, and you live within 6km from an exchange or cabinet, Chorus can deliver broadband services through the existing copper network. However, the closer you are to the cabinet, the faster the service. They mention that if you are close to one of the fibre-fed cabinets, you could get download speeds above 100Mbps.
If Fibre is available, Chorus suggests talking to a broadband provider about availability, plans and installation costs. The cost of Fibre connections will depend on:
- The distance from the closest exchange or cabinet and
- The density of properties in the area and
- The distance from the road to your premises
Chorus states that if Fibre is unavailable, and you live within 6km from an exchange or cabinet, Chorus can deliver broadband services through the existing copper network. However, the closer you are to the cabinet, the faster the service. They mention that if you are close to one of the fibre-fed cabinets, you could get download speeds above 100Mbps.
How can I reduce the costs of Fibre installation?
The cost of installation partly depends on your proximity to the road connection, the greater the distance from the road connection to your premises, the more expensive the installation will be. If you can dig the trench yourself, the installation costs will fall (however it must be to an acceptable standard so Chorus can place the fibre cable). The simpler the location, the cheaper the installation cost and vice versa. To find out what the costs will be (and how to reduce them), contact your preferred rural broadband provider.
Compare Rural Broadband Plans With Our Top 2 Providers
- Our research highlighted a shortlist of two service-driven and value-leading rural broadband providers. We suggest contacting Wireless Nation and Farmside to see if either or both of their networks covers your area. While Vodafone owns Farmside and they offer the same plans specs, we stand by Farmside based on its track record of customer service.
- Both providers offer transparent pricing, are rural-focused and have an exceptional record of customer service. Both offer 24-month terms.
- If service is not available, we suggest contacting a specialist regional rural broadband provider - you can find a full list here.
- Advertising Disclosure: Our reviews and research are based on a multi-metric assessment of each rural broadband provider. We have no relationship (financial, commercial or otherwise) with any of the providers listed on this guide.
