Slingshot Broadband Review
We review Slingshot broadband's five plans and outline the pros and cons of each, benefits and how to get the best price.
Updated 10 May 2022
Summary:
How to get the best price on a Slingshot broadband plan:
Our review:
This guide details the five plans pros, and cons compare the plans side-by-side and outline how to choose the best Slingshot broadband plan for you. We cover:
- Slingshot in a Nutshell: Slingshot is one of New Zealand's leading broadband, power and mobile service providers, whose main strength is concentrating its efforts on offering the best bundle price for its services.
- Coverage: Slingshot broadband services are not available in all areas. To find out what type of service is available in your area, visit their website and enter your address.
- Plans and Pricing: Slingshot offers five plans:
- 150GB Broadband Plan (not fibre) (from $74.95/month)
- Unlimited Broadband Plan (not fibre) (from $89.95/month)
- 150GB Fibre Broadband Plan (from $69.95/month)
- Unlimited Fibre Broadband Plan (from $84.95/month),
- Unlimited Gigantic Fibre Broadband Plan (from $99.95/month).
How to get the best price on a Slingshot broadband plan:
- New Customers: Plans with Slingshot are cheapest when you bring your own modem, sign up for 24-months and bundle broadband with Slingshot’s power and mobile plans and also don’t plan to change providers for at least 6 months (therefore avoiding the early exit fee).
- Renewing: If you're happy with Slingshot and would like to continue, the best approach is to compare the pricing when your contract comes up for renewal. If Slingshot 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 five plans pros, and cons compare the plans side-by-side and outline how to choose the best Slingshot broadband plan for you. We cover:
Christopher Walsh, Founder of MoneyHub, shares his views on comparing broadband providers:
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Slingshot 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 Slingshot, there is little difference between ADSL/VDSL and Fibre plans.
Important:
- Installation cost: In most cases, you won’t have to pay any installation charge, that is, assuming your household already has a phone line and/or ADSL connection, and the fibre access point is within 200 meters from your house.
- Modem cost: All Slingshot plans include free modem rental ($14.95 postage fee applies). Moreover, if you choose an Ugly Modem during the sign-up process, Slingshot will donate $25 to help fund the Keep New Zealand Beautiful programme. You also have the option to bring your own modem, in which case you will get $50 joining credit for your account.
Important:
- Non-standard installation fees may apply if your household requires a new ADSL, VDSL, or Fibre connection.
Slingshot Broadband Customer Service and Outage Support
- Slingshot's Customer Support Hours are from Monday to Friday, 8 am - 10 pm, Saturday, 8 am - 8 pm, Sundays and Holidays, 10 am - 5 pm via their free number (0800 89 2000).
Choosing the Right Slingshot Plan - Standard Broadband vs Fibre Broadband Plans
Slingshot's plans are geared toward the typical New Zealand family looking for reliable broadband service at a reasonable price. The possibility of combining broadband with the other services offered by Slingshot (electricity and mobile) and obtaining a discount on each of them is undoubtedly an advantage over other providers. In this sense, choosing the best Slingshot broadband plan has a lot to do with your home or work bandwidth requirement and the type of service available in your area.
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
2. Flexibility:
3. Set-Up Charges:
4. Monthly Costs:
1. Connection Speed: In general terms:
- Slingshot’s Standard Broadband Plans: These plans are not intended for households using bandwidth-intensive applications such as 4k video streaming or gaming. Depending on the type of service available in your area (ADSL or VDSL), you can expect up to 50/10 Mbps speeds, which is adequate for families with moderate broadband needs. This is especially true in the 150GB plan, which is, in our opinion, a rather limiting plan.
- Slingshot’s Fibre Broadband Plans: Both the 150GB and the Unlimited Fibre Broadband plans, offer speeds up to 100/20 Mbps which is more than enough to satisfy the most demanding kiwi household. However, in our opinion, the 150GB plan is very limiting, considering that it will not allow you to enjoy multiple Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ screens at once without exceeding the monthly data allowance.
- Slingshot’s Unlimited Gigantic Broadband Plan: This is a step up over Standard Fibre Broadband and is currently the fastest broadband plan offered by Slingshot. From a speed/bandwidth perspective, this is hands down the best choice since it allows you to stream multiple 4k screens and other bandwidth-intensive applications simultaneously.
2. Flexibility:
- One of Slingshot broadband’s biggest disadvantages is that it does not offer open term plans, so you will have to sign up for 6, 12, or 24-month fixed term.
- However, if it is okay with you to bundle broadband with power and/or mobile, then you could save good money during those two years.
- A positive aspect of the plans offered by Slingshot is the possibility to choose between weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payments, which provides additional savings.
3. Set-Up Charges:
- Something that makes Slingshot stand out from the rest is its low setup fees. In most cases, the only thing you will have to pay is $14.95 for modem shipping costs. Moreover, if you bring your own modem, you can even get a $50 credit.
4. Monthly Costs:
- Slingshot is one of the few broadband providers that offer the ability to choose how to make your payments. The way to get the lowest price is by making weekly or fortnightly payments in any of the Unlimited plans.
Slingshot Broadband Frequently Asked Questions
To help you decide if Slingshot is right for your home, we've included several frequently asked questions to help you know more about the service.
Is Slingshot available at my address?
There is a good chance that broadband service is available at your address as Slingshot is one of the top service providers in New Zealand. To verify what type of plans is available in your area, you just have to enter your address on the Slingshot page.
Does Slingshot offer a free modem?
Yes, Slingshot offers the option to rent a free Netcom NF18 modem with all its plans. Alternatively, you can bring your own modem (BYO) as far as it’s compatible with the service. To set up your own modem, you can follow the Modem Setup Guides in Slingshot’s help page.
Does Slingshot offer additional perks?
From time to time, Slingshot offers sign-up bonuses. In early 2021 it offered free Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 phones with select plans. Before signing up to Slingshot, see what is on offer. In July 2021, new customers are given 2 months of free broadband if they sign up on a 24-month term.
Does Slingshot offer an open term contract?
No, you must sign up for a minimum term of 6 months.
Does Slingshot offer discounts for broadband plans?
Yes, Slingshot offers a 10% discount when you bundle broadband with electricity and $5 off of your mobile bill.
Who owns Slingshot?
Slingshot broadband is a subsidiary of the Vocus Group, an Australian-based telecommunications company.
Does Slingshot offer a home phone add-on with its broadband plans?
No, Slingshot does not offer home phone addons with its broadband plans.
