Skinny Broadband & Fibre Plans Review
We review Skinny Broadband's 4G plans and weigh up the pros and cons of the service
Updated 10 May 2022
Owned by Spark, Skinny Broadband offers the best aspects of a full-service provider with the benefits of being a low-cost service.
Offering both 4G plans (capped) and unlimited fibre (with download speeds as fast as 900 Mbps), Skinny Broadband has something to suit the needs and budgets of many New Zealanders. Best of all, there are a number of no-term options making Skinny Broadband more affordable.
We review the price and benefits offered to find where Skinny Broadband shines.
Our review covers:
Offering both 4G plans (capped) and unlimited fibre (with download speeds as fast as 900 Mbps), Skinny Broadband has something to suit the needs and budgets of many New Zealanders. Best of all, there are a number of no-term options making Skinny Broadband more affordable.
We review the price and benefits offered to find where Skinny Broadband shines.
Our review covers:
Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub, shares his views on comparing broadband providers:
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Skinny Broadband and Fibre Review: Prices and Plans
Skinny's Fibre Plans
- Skinny offers four Fibre plans, known as Skinny Unlimited. Coverage includes Auckland, the greater Hamilton area, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin and many other regional towns and cities.
- For each plan you have the choice to pay monthly or lock yourself into a 12-month term.
- Both contract term options charge the same monthly fee and offer a free installation.
- The 12-month term option has the benefits of 2 months of free broadband, no connection fee, and a free modem (though a $10 delivery fee applies). However, if you cancel before your term ends (or even switch to another Skinny plan), you'll pay a termination fee between $99 and $249. The termination fee depends on when you cancel your contract and which plan you signed up to.
- Customers choosing no contract term will have to pay $99 (plus $10 delivery) for a Skinny modem.
Skinny Broadband Plan Comparison
Skinny Direct Plan |
Cost Per Month |
Unlimited Fibre (fixed line connection) |
$78 or $98 (high speed) |
Unlimited (4G network connection) |
$55 |
120 GB (4G network connection) |
$50 |
60 GB (4G network connection) |
$45 |
Prices correct as at 10 May 2022 per Skinny. Existing Skinny customers paying $16/month or more for a mobile SIM-only plan receive a $10/month discount.
Skinny's Wireless 4G Broadband Plans
The Skinny Wireless 4G Broadband plans use Spark's 4G network. In general, depending on where you live, the speed should be higher than ADSL broadband but, in most situations, slower than Fibre.
We break down Skinny's 4G Plans:
We break down Skinny's 4G Plans:
- Fixed data: Other than the Uncapped plan, the other Wireless plans have a fixed amount of data, as outlined in the table above.
- No contract option: You don't have to choose a 12-month term if you don't want; Skinny customers can pay monthly.
- Skinny's 4G connection is simple: Customers plug in the modem and turn it on for instant 4G connection. There are no wires, connect fees or technicians, and there delivery of the modem is free of charge. If you switch from Skinny, you get to keep the modem.
- A fair use policy applies to the Uncapped plan: Basically, you can't use overly excessive amounts of broadband or use the service unreasonably.
Skinny's Fibre Broadband Plans
If you have fibre connection, you may want Skinny's Unlimited Fibre Plans. You'll get a base fibre connection speed of 30Mbps download speed / 10Mbps upload speed. You also have the option of upgrading to higher speeds if the base fibre speed is not enough for you.
Skinny's Fixed Line Plan:
Skinny's Fixed Line Plan:
- Unlimited data: Each plan has a fixed amount of data, as outlined in the table above.
- No contract option: You don't have to choose a 12-month term if you don't want; Skinny customers can pay monthly.
- Choice of connection speeds: Choose between 30/10, 100/20, 200/20 and up to 900/500Mbps.
- 2 months free: Receive 2 months of free broadband if you sign up to a 12-month term.
Broadband, TV, Phone and Mobile Bundles
Unlike most ISP and telecommunications companies, Skinny doesn't offer add-ons like phone or TV. The maximum you can pay is the plan price.
Our view: Packages tying in Sky TV, phone services or other add-on products have not offered worthwhile discounts in the cases of Spark (Sky TV) and Stuff Fibre (phone). Skinny's focus on a no-frills broadband and fibre service means what you sign up for is what you'll pay. Unless you need a 24/7 sports channel or a home phone with unlimited calls, Skinny offers some of the best broadband and fibre deals within New Zealand.
Our view: Packages tying in Sky TV, phone services or other add-on products have not offered worthwhile discounts in the cases of Spark (Sky TV) and Stuff Fibre (phone). Skinny's focus on a no-frills broadband and fibre service means what you sign up for is what you'll pay. Unless you need a 24/7 sports channel or a home phone with unlimited calls, Skinny offers some of the best broadband and fibre deals within New Zealand.
Skinny 4G Broadband and Fibre Review: Coverage
Fibre is progressively being rolled out around New Zealand, and currently is in every city. To find out if you can access Skinny's Fibre service, click on the broadband map and enter your address. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are extensively covered, but there are instances where fibre cables are yet to be laid in some neighbourhoods. If you don't yet have Fibre, then the 4G plans are the next-best-thing.
Skinny 4G Broadband and Fibre Review: Performance
Skinny claims that its fibre speeds can reach up to 900Mbps (download) and up to 500Mbps (upload). As outlined above, fibre plans dictate what speed you'll get.
When it comes to 4G, the speed depends on a few factors:
We cited reviews online, where Skinny customers said that download speeds varied from 5 Mbps to 85 Mbps on any given day, but there are cases where it can be 2 Mbps if the network is congested. Skinny doesn't publish its 4G broadband speeds, so we have included the above information for guidance purposes only.
When it comes to 4G, the speed depends on a few factors:
- Proximity to the closest Spark 4G tower - the closer you are, generally, the faster the speed
- The time of day - during heavy-use time, such as evenings, it may be slower than off-peak times (2am etc)
- Weather conditions - if it's raining, you'll likely lose some speed
- Where your modem is located - by a window, for example, is better than in a basement
We cited reviews online, where Skinny customers said that download speeds varied from 5 Mbps to 85 Mbps on any given day, but there are cases where it can be 2 Mbps if the network is congested. Skinny doesn't publish its 4G broadband speeds, so we have included the above information for guidance purposes only.
Skinny 4G Broadband and Fibre Review: Customer Support and Satisfaction
- Despite its comparatively low price, Skinny offers a 24/7 chat service (via its website) or a call centre (8am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5:30pm Saturday and Sunday).
- In the recent reviews MoneyHub cited, our research team noted positives such as instant connectivity (4G) and friendly customer service. However, there are continuous reports of frustration concerning the requirement for all Skinny 4G customers to use the Skinny modem.
Getting Connected – What You Need to Know to Avoid Frustration
- If your property doesn’t have Fibre connected, Skinny, like all fibre ISPs, relies on working with the local fibre provider in your area.
- Once the fibre provider confirms and appointment, Skinny arranges to send their router so your technician has it on hand when they make the connection.
- If there is a limitation in local fibre technicians, which Skinny has no control over, your connection may be delayed. This would be the same whatever ISP you selected to sign up to.
- Be aware that the installation process will depend on the type of property you live in.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Skinny 4G Broadband and Fibre
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
- Attractive Pricing - Skinny positions itself as a value-for-money provider. We believe Skinny delivers value with reliability.
- Phone Support - Despite no-frills pricing, Skinny's 0800 number answers between 8am and 7pm; Monday to Friday, and 9am to 5:30pm Saturday and Sunday. It also offers a 24/7 chat support service..
- No risk of big bills - If you exceed your data on a 4G plan, there are no overage rates or charges on the account either so you will not be charged any extra. You can top up or re-purchase the plan to get back online. All fibre plans are unlimited, so there's no issue with additional bills.
- 4G alternative to fibre - If your location isn't fibre ready, or you are living outside of an area with fibre, Skinny offers fixed-price 4G data plans that are affordable and operate from the (reliable) Spark 4G network.
Disadvantages:
- 4G broadband isn't portable - once you've registered your modem at an address, you won't be able to use it in another location.
- 4G broadband requires you to use the Skinny modem - you won't be able to bring your own modem, as Skinny 4G modems are made specially for Skinny (wireless) Broadband. This means you'll need to pay an additional charge upfront.
Skinny Broadband and Fibre Review: Verdict
- Skinny Broadband brings a competitive 4G broadband and fibre connection with the unique selling point of offering a no-contract fibre plan.
- With unlimited data and up to 900 Mbps speeds for less than $75/month, Skinny Broadband is competitive when it comes to value for money.
- Skinny's Wireless 4G Uncapped plan is only $5/month more than the Wireless 4G 120GB plan, so we believe this is better value for money, especially for large families wanting to stream high quality videos.
- Skinny Broadband keeps things simple - there are no TV add-ons, no music packages, no contracts.
- We believe the technical support offered is reasonable given the no-frills pricing. It's arguable that Skinny Broadband offers some of the best-value fibre plans in New Zealand.
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