About Simply Broadband
We want you to only pay for the speed you need. Which is why our speed calculator helps inform you which of the three plans you offer are best for you and your household.
Customers are at the heart of what we do. Our research showed that what’s most important to customers when switching broadband providers and this is what we deliver:
- Great value plans that other providers can’t rival
- Unlimited data with any of the plans
- No contract (and no additional charge for not being locked in) - just 30 days notice
- BYO modem
- Telephone customer support available Monday to Friday
We don’t pretend to be experts in other services and tempt you into confusing bundle deals. We simply offer fast broadband – it’s that simple.
We strongly recommend submitting issues for support via our support portal here - this reaches all of our team allowing for quicker response.
Our telephone support team is available to assist you from 0830 to 1830, Monday to Friday, ensuring dedicated, real-time support during these hours.
Outside of these times, support is available based on team availability, so you may still receive assistance, though response times may vary. This includes weekends and nights.
We do monitor our services constantly and in the event of a major outage or incident, we’ll respond outside regular hours as needed to resolve issues as quickly as possible.
Simply Broadband is the newest broadband provider in New Zealand; built on the principle of making life easier for Kiwi households. We're great!
When independent research conducted in 2024 found that a staggering 49% of Kiwi household believe they are paying for broadband speed they don’t need, Simply Broadband decided to do something about it.
We’re New Zealand owned and operated and our management team is based in New Zealand.
We want Kiwis to only pay for the broadband speed you need.
Part of the Global Compare Group: Simply Broadband is part of Global Compare Group, a leading digital media business based in New Zealand. Our portfolio of businesses include Simply Broadband, PriceMe, NZ Compare & SLICE Digital.
At Simply Broadband we offer three simple fibre broadband plans.
Fibre Essential - $59.59 /month - Ideal for small to medium households where data speed isn’t a big concern. Speeds of 50/10 Mbps. Unlimited data. No contract. No connection fee.
Fibre Plus - $79.79 /month - Best for medium to large households with multiple people and devices. Speeds of 300/100 Mbps. Unlimited data. No contract. No connection fee.
Fibre Pro - $99.99 /month - Best for large households, constantly downloading and uploading. Speeds of 950/450 Mbps. Unlimited data. No contract. No connection fee.
Network Status
Find out more about the status of the Simply Broadband network below. There are a variety of issues that can affect your Simply Broadband service. One of them is if there is an outage in our network. Check the Simply Broadband network status in your specific area to see if the internet is down in your area.
Before contacting support, please check the specific links below for any Planned and Unplanned outages on the Simply Broadband network.
Network outages in specific regions - The links below will redirect to information from your Local Fibre Company.
Christchurch Region - Managed by enable fibre broadband - CLICK HERE for outages.
Whangarei Region - Managed by Northpower Fibre - CLICK HERE for outages.
Hamilton, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Whanganui, Tokoroa, Hawera, Cambridge and Te Awamutu - Managed by Tuatahi First Fibre - CLICK HERE for outages.
Auckland and remainder of New Zealand - Managed by Chorus - CLICK HERE for outages.
Simply Broadband Reviews
Of course! We’re more than happy to share them too, because our customers think we are pretty great. You can visit Google or Broadband Compare for the latest Simply Broadband reviews.
Reading Simply Broadband reviews on Broadband Compare will help you make an informed decision on choosing Simply Broadband as your internet provider:
✅ Real Customer Experiences – Understand service quality, and reliability.
✅ Network Performance Insights – See how our speeds, uptime, and performance match our promises.
✅ Customer Support Quality – Learn how well we handle technical issues and customer queries.
✅ Billing & Contracts –see how simple our payments are - no unexpected charges, contract terms, or billing concerns.
✅ Comparisons with Other Providers – See how Simply Broadband stacks up against competitors before making a choice.
Broadband Compare reviews offer unfiltered feedback from real users, making them a valuable resource for picking Simply Broadband as your internet provider.
Check out the latest Simply Broadband Reviews on Broadband Compare here.
Reading Simply Broadband reviews on Google will help you make an informed decision on choosing Simply Broadband as your internet provider:
✅ Real Customer Experiences – Understand service quality, and reliability.
✅ Network Performance Insights – See how our speeds, uptime, and performance match our promises.
✅ Customer Support Quality – Learn how well we handle technical issues and customer queries.
✅ Billing & Contracts –see how simple our payments are - no unexpected charges, contract terms, or billing concerns.
✅ Comparisons with Other Providers – See how Simply Broadband stacks up against competitors before making a choice.
Google reviews offer unfiltered feedback from real users, making them a valuable resource for picking Simply Broadband as your internet provider.
Check out the latest Simply Broadband Google Reviews here
Setting up with Simply Broadband
The easiest way to check is to type in your address, which tells you immediately whether you have a fibre connection.
If you don’t have access and want to get fibre installed, we can work with the local fibre company to start the connection process
If fibre is not installed, getting it installed depends on your type of property and whether you own or rent.
Renting
If you’re renting, you’ll need written or verbal consent from your landlord.
On a right of row or shared driveway
You may need to get some written consent from your immediate neighbours. Don’t panic about it though, your local fibre company will help sort gaining consent and there needs to be a strong reason why a neighbour can refuse.
Apartments or flats - Also known as an MDU (Multi Dwelling Unit)
The building owner or body corporate will need to give their consent.
Subdivisions
For any properties that have been subdivided, each one must be on a separate title.
For more information on the consent process, visit your local fibre company website:
Chorus (Most of New Zealand) chorus.co.nz
North Power Fibre (Whangarei) northpower.com/fibre
Tuatahi First Fibre (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki) tuatahifibre.co.nz
Enable Networks (Christchurch) enable.net.nz/can-i-get-fibre
Here is a guide for when you need to gain consent and what type of consent is required:
- If you are living in a rental property, you will need to get written consent from your landlord to go ahead with fibre installation
- If your property is in a right of way (ROW) or shared driveway, you may need to gain written consent from your neighbour(s) - the technician will advise if this is required during their initial visit
- If you live in a multi-dwelling unit (MDU) such as an apartment or flat, you will need to gain written consent from the building owner or body corporate to get fibre installed
For more information on the consent process, visit your Local Fibre Company’s website:
- Chorus (Most of New Zealand): chorus.co.nz
- North Power Fibre (Whangarei): northpower.com
- Tuatahi First Fibre (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki): tuatahifibre.co.nz
- Enable Networks (Christchurch): enable.net.nz
Transferring your fibre broadband connection to us is simple.
First off, check the contract you have with your current provider.
Most internet providers in NZ will have some sort of notice period or terms that you have agreed to. Typically, this will involve a 30-day notice period.
Once you are aware of your notice period and/or you have notified your current provider you are leaving, simply place an order with Simply Broadband, specify your existing provider and account number when you sign up, along with your preferred connection date to go live with Simply Broadband.
To ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption, you can keep your existing connection active until the date your Simply Broadband connection goes live.
Once you have placed your Simply Broadband order we strongly recommend that you check with your old provider that your account will be closed. It is best to chase them up to make sure you don’t continue to pay for your old connection when your new, Simply Broadband connection starts up. This is your responsibility as the account holder. We cannot do this for you.
Activating Simply Broadband on an already installed fibre connection is very easy and usually does not require anyone to be at the property. Once we have you connected we will send you an email to confirm you are live with Simply Broadband and you should be up and running. Occasionally, some transferred connections will need some simple router configuration. You can find easy to follow instructions for a wide range of routers here.
The time it takes to get connected to fibre in New Zealand can vary depending on a few factors, but here’s a general guide:
Already fibre-ready? How quickly you can get fibre depends if your address already has fibre installed - that means an ONT is in your premises and connected to the network, you could be connected in 1 working day. - if you need your connection really quickly, we can do in a few hours depending on the part of the country you are in. This is very dependent on your current property's fibre readiness.
Transfer from another fibre provider? Whilst we can get your transferred and connected in a day, we recommend you take a few days and ensure that you have no notice period at your current provider to ensure you don't double pay for a connection. Always check your contract status before committing to a transfer.
Not fibre-ready yet? If fibre hasn’t been installed at your property, the process can take 2–4 weeks on average, but it may take longer depending on a range of factors. These include - location (urban vs. rural), the layout of your property (e.g., shared driveways may need consent), installer availability in your area
By booking your fibre connection with Simply Broadband, we'll coordinate everything and keep you updated at each step.
Yes, you can. We can help you switch to Simply Broadband.
If you have a medical alarm or security system that requires a phone line, it should continue to work over fibre.
Switching broadband providers is quite straightforward.
First off, check your current contract. Most internet providers will have some sort of notice period, this is typically a 30-day notice period. Once you are aware of your notice period, simply place an order with Simply Broadband, specify your current connection type and existing provider when you sign up, along with a few other details like your preferred connection date when your old account will expire.
When switching broadband providers, it's best to leave your current connection active when you place the order. This ensures you can continue using your internet right up until the transfer occurs and allows Simply Broadband to seamlessly transfer your existing connection.
If you've already requested disconnection from your current provider, it can hinder our ability to transfer the connection or activate a new one. In such cases,we may need to contact you to request that you cancel the disconnection order with your old provider to proceed with the transfer.
So, to ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption, keep your existing connection active until the transfer is scheduled and you can set the dates for your Simply Broadband connection to start. Simply Broadband can typically arrange the transfer within a day or two.
Once you have placed your Simply Broadband order you should check with your old provider that your account will be closed. They should email or reach out to you, but if you don’t hear, best to chase them up to make sure you don’t pay for your old connection when your new, simple connection starts up.
Once you’ve signed up, sit back and relax, we get the ball rolling for you.
Firstly we will place a temporary hold on your payment card for the cost of approximately one week of your monthly broadband plan. This is to check the card details are entered correctly, not reported stolen etc. This hold will be cancelled when your Simply Broadband connection goes live and you make your first payment.
Next up, you’ll get an email from us confirming we have accepted your order and we are under way. This is normally within 24 hours of signing up. We’ll also email to let you know what dates you’re scheduled to be connected - this process depends on what service you’ve signed up for.
For Fibre connections with an ONT installed: If your property has had fibre installed before, you can expect to receive a scheduled date for your connection within a day or two of signing up. From here, you should be connected really quickly, in around 24 hours (if you want to be!)
If a technician is required to visit the property, we’ll let you know, otherwise it all gets done remotely - you do not need to be at the property to be connected.
For NEW Fibre connections requiring an install: If you've never had fibre installed at your property, there are a few extra steps to get you connected and set up on the fibre network.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Before we can start the installation process, your local fibre company will need you to confirm that consent to install fibre (if required) has been received. You can find more information on this in the “Do I need consent to install fibre” FAQ found here.
- Once consent is gained, a technician may be required to come out and visit your property to see how to get you connected. Someone over the age of 18 must be home during this time and the technician will call ahead of his/her arrival. Please have your phone handy to avoid any delays.
- Your local fibre company, or a technician appointed by them, will contact you to book an appointment to install your fibre broadband into your premises.
- During installation, the technician will start by getting everything set up outdoors. Next, they will need to install a box on a wall inside your property - this is called an ONT. Once the technician has confirmed your service is up and running, you can plug your router into the ONT and your connection should be ready to use.
Most routers will work with Simply Broadband but you might need to check a couple of things
- Identify the make and model of your router – you can do this by looking at the router or the guide that came with it
- Check that the router supports both Fibre and VLAN tagging. This will be in the Guide. If you don’t have the Guide or not sure, the best way is to search online using the make and model as your key word search, followed by the word VLAN
Most router guides are now available online so you should be able to find them.
Where you might have router issues is when the router is extremely old or it’s been bought/imported from overseas
Some of the brands our customers use without issue are:
- ASUS
- Hauwei
- Netcomm
- Netgear
- TP-Link
Unless you’re setting up a new Fibre broadband connection, then probably not. Most connections happen remotely, however in some circumstances a technician will need to visit the property. If this is the case, they will contact you to arrange a date for the installation and again before their arrival. Please note that someone over the age of 18 will need to be at home when this happens, and you’ll need to supply a contact name and number.
Add-ons & Extras
Simply Broadband offer a Static IP address as an add-on for a fee of $10.99 (inc. GST) per month.
Should you wish to have a Static IP added to your connection please leave a comment when you first sign up to a plan, or drop us an email at [email protected] and we will make it happen.
Unfortunately we do not do landlines, sorry! We recommend that you try Broadband Compare to find the best, competitive options for landlines - www.broadbandcompare.co.nz
Billing & Payment
Unfortunately not - currently we only accept payment by credit or debit card.
Unfortunately not. To keep our prices sharp, we need visibility and to minimise payment processing costs so we only offer pre-pay fibre broadband on a monthly basis
Unfortunately not. To keep our prices sharp, we need visibility and to minimise payment processing costs so we only offer pre-pay fibre broadband on a monthly basis.
Nope. Nada!
There are no set up fees or connection fees with Simply Broadband. We offer great value, prepay broadband plans with no fixed term contracts! Simple!
We have a 30 Day Notice Period for you to leave our service. You may ask us to stop a particular service or cancel your agreement with 30 days’ notice at any time by sending an email to us on [email protected]. If you move a service from Simply Broadband to another provider without notifying us we will continue to charge you for that service for 30 days from the departure of the service.
When you sign up for your Simply Broadband account you will add a credit or debit card.
We place a temporary hold on your payment card for the cost of one week of your monthly broadband plan. This hold will be cancelled when your Simply Broadband connection goes live and you make your first payment.
You are not charged at this point and we have no connection fees.
Once your fibre connection is live and connected you will be charged for your plan at a pro-rata rate for the first month. For example, on the 15th of a month, you will be charged for the remaining 15 days at that point.
Moving forward, your account will then be charged the cost of your subscription on either the last day of the month or the first day of the month for the coming month. You pay in advance, meaning no credit checks and sharp pricing to give you the best value broadband possible. We will send you a reminder a couple of days before payment is processed.
Simple, prepay fibre broadband with no contracts.
At Simply Broadband we accept Debit or Credit Cards. This includes Visa, Mastercard and American Express (Amex).
Log into your Simply Broadband account. Visit the billing tab. Add a new billing method / card that you wish to use. Set as default. Remove your previous card details if you wish.
Simple.
Occasionally you will find that your monthly invoice will be raised a day or two before month end.
This is a small quirk from our billing platform Stripe (https://stripe.com/nz ) due to time zone issues.
Stripe uses UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) as the primary time standard globally used to regulate clocks and time for all of its timestamps.
As our subscription settings are based on a different timezone (NZ), we sometimes see invoices generated a day or two earlier or later than expected.
The Stripe billing cycle default behavior is to generate a new invoice and charge on the same day of each month as the subscription's creation date, however to keep our processes streamlined and prices sharp, we need to bulk invoice our users on or around the 1st of each month for ongoing subscriptions, this gets tricky however when the first subscription invoice is created mid-month.
Stripe will automatically create a prorated invoice to cover the period between the subscription creation date and the first full invoice date, but this then means timing may fluctuate in future months.
You will NEVER pay for extra days however - the invoice that is raised, on or around, the last day of a month, will always cover the payment for the following month. No matter how many days in the month, or the day the invoice was raised.
Sorry if this causes a bit of confusion or inconvenience! We are working on a solution to anchor the invoice date to the 1st of each month in future.
Contact us
Simply drop us an email, although we will be gutted to see you go...
We operate with no fixed term contracts, however we do need to enforce a maximum 30 day notice period when you cancel.
We can be reached in a number of ways - check out our contact us page here https://simplybroadband.co.nz/contact-us
Modems / Routers
At Simply Broadband, you need to use your own modem or router — but there are a few important things to know:
What We’re Responsible For
Our job is to get your fibre service connected and active at the fibre ONT (Optical Network Terminal) inside your home. This connection is delivered over the NZ Ultrafast Fibre (UFB) network. Once your fibre is live to the ONT, our part is kinda done — that’s what you’re paying us for.
Using Your Own Equipment
As you are bringing your own router it is impossible for us to know how to configure, setup and connect every one... Of course, we’ll do our best to help you get it set up, but we can’t guarantee full support for third-party equipment. It’s your responsibility to make sure your router is compatible and correctly configured for our network.
What We’re Not Liable For
If there are delays in you setting up your router, we’re not responsible for that. If you choose to spend money on any extra data (e.g. from your mobile) while configuring your router or you hire outside help (like tech support or a friend) to get your router going or even any delays or issues caused by misconfigured or incompatible routers. This is a BYO router service and the onus is on you to be able to configure your device.
Router Configuration Guides
We have a huge range of guides available here - these are not absolute, and because there are so many different routers available, each with different firmware installed or usernames, passwords, histories etc it is impossible for these to be 100% accurate, 100% of the time, but we do make best efforts. Take your time, read things through, and you'll get things connected - you've got this!
NO. We do NOT provide a router.
At Simply Broadband we do NOT provide any routers or modems. We decided to make things as simple as possible by letting customers bring their previous modem with them and giving them detailed, simple instructions to connect without the need for another router.
Here’s a link to how to set up with the most common modems in New Zealand households
Here at Simply Broadband, we’re in the broadband business, not the modem business… but our friends at PriceMe can help you compare prices on a wide range of modems. Click here, find the best price and purchase online. Once you have your modem, you may need to make a few changes, your own router will need to be configured to with the following settings:
- Use DHCP for IPv4 and IPv6
- Enable VLAN (sometimes called "VLAN tagging") with VLAN ID 10
- No username or password is required to connect, just use the DHCP settings above
- To fully enable IPv6 connectivity, use a Prefix Delegation (sometimes called "PD") size of /56, if your router requires it.
That’s it - our support team can help if needed.
A modem connects your home to the internet by converting the signal from your internet service provider (ISP) into a usable connection. It allows devices to access the internet but can only connect one device directly.
A router connects multiple devices to the internet and to each other. It distributes the internet connection from the modem to various devices, either through Wi-Fi or Ethernet cables.
In short, the modem brings the internet to your home, while the router shares that connection with multiple devices.
With regards to router or modem - we do NOT supply one as most households have a legacy router kicking about. If you need a router we can suggest these as good options. There are cheaper options available but in our opinion they are short sighted options as they will max out at 100 Mbps and aren't 'future-proofed' for foreseeable needs. These are all relatively easy to connect to Simply Broadband.
- Option 1: TP-Link Archer AX10 AX1500 - Around $129
- Option 2: TP-Link Archer AX55 AX3000 - Around $160
- Option 3: ASUS RT-AX300 - Around $200
- Option 4: ASUS RT-BE58U (BE3600) - Wi-Fi 7, HyperFibre ready
- Option 5: TP-Link Archer GE800 (BE19000) - Wi-Fi 7, HyperFibre 10G ready - PowerTruck of a router
Most routers will be compatible with Simply Broadband but the most important thing to note is that your router must be VLAN compatible.
The following routers DO NOT have VLAN capabilities which means they are not compatible with Simply Broadband. If you have one of these routers, it is a good time to upgrade!
There may be others - it is important to ensure that your router has VLAN capability.
Moving house
If you need to tell us about a change of address and would like to move your connection we would love to move with you.
Please raise a ticket via the Simply Broadband support portal - click here
Let us know the following information:
1. Your CURRENT property address
2. The date and time you wish to END the connection at that address
3. Your NEW property address
4. The date and time you wish to COMMENCE the connection at that address
5. Any changes that you would like to your plan - for example a faster or slower speed
Once we recieve your request we will process the transfer and keep you informed every step of the way.
There are no fees for moving house with Simply Broadband.
If you are moving house and would like to move your connection we would love to move with you.
Please raise a ticket via the Simply Broadband support portal - click here
Let us know the following information:
1. Your CURRENT property address
2. The date and time you wish to END the connection at that address
3. Your NEW property address
4. The date and time you wish to COMMENCE the connection at that address
5. Any changes that you would like to your plan - for example a faster or slower speed
Once we recieve your request we will process the transfer and keep you informed every step of the way.
There are no fees for moving house with Simply Broadband.
Offer Summaries
Our Fibre Essential Plan Offer Summary can be viewed here.
Our Fibre Plus Plan Offer Summary can be viewed here.
Our Fibre Pro Plan Offer Summary can be viewed here.
Plans
Unfortunately, Simply Broadband does not offer a broadband service for businesses.
If you are looking for a business broadband plan check out Broadband Compare and their business plan comparison.
Simply contact the support team and request. We can change your plan to what you require. There is no administration fee for changing your plan, but you will need to complete the current billing cycle before your plan can be stepped down (i.e. move from Pro to Essential).
If you are looking to upgrade to a bigger plan, we can do this instantly and you will be charged at a pro-rata rate for your new connection. Your subscription will then be changed to your new plan price.
Have you done our Speed Test yet? This is a really easy to use calculator that helps estimate the speed your household needs.
Still got questions or want to speak to someone about the different plan options. Go to the Contact Us page and we’ll have someone reach out
Technical information
Check our social media to ensure there is no wider network issue. Do the simple fix… turn your modem/router on/off - leave it off fully for 30 seconds. Check the lights on your ONT - is it on? Are these correct and working? Still need help? Contact the support team at https://simplybroadband.co.nz/contact-us
If you’re having any issues connecting, try these simple steps to get you back online with Simply Broadband.
Step 1: Reboot your router
We know, it’s a cliché... But there's a reason it's a cliché. Very often your router just needs a quick reset so it can give you the best connection. So follow these steps.
Turn your router off at the wall.
Leave it off for 2 minutes - don't be tempted to make this quicker.
Turn your router back on at the wall. It will then start back up over a minute or two and re-establish a connection with your ONT. Wait for the flashing lights to do their thing and hopefully this will solve the problem, it really does in many cases!
If your connection issue persists, move on to step 2.
Step 2: Test another device
Sometimes, it is not the connection, but the device you are trying to connect. If you have another wireless capable device available, such as another phone or laptop , then try and connect to the network using that. If the alternative device is able to work just fine, then the problem is not your connection but your device.
Step 3: Still unable to connect your device?
It may seem very obvious but it is also worth checking that you have wireless enabled on the device you’re trying to connect with. It is very easy to hit the wrong button or change a setting and disable Wi-Fi, so make sure you check! If you're still unable to connect to your Simply Broadband connection then contact our friendly support crew for further assistance.
CGNAT (Carrier-Grade NAT) is a variant of NAT that is used by internet service providers like Simply Broadband to provide internet access to our customers.
Our IP Addresses use CGNAT, a single public IP address, by default. However, we can arrange for a Public IP or a Static IP if required. An additional monthly fee will be required.
You can opt out of CGNAT. At Simply Broadband we offer two alternatives, both carry an additional monthly charge.
"Out of CGNAT" costs $5.99 per month.
"Static IP" costs $10.99 per month.
If you don't know what CGNAT is, don't know about IPv4 address exhaustion or the transition to IPv6 then you don't need to worry about this :-)
This depends on a range of factors, but the most common causes of slow internet speeds are actually problems with your wi-fi, not the internet coming into your property.
Unfortunately, we have no control over your 'Wi Fi'. As a retail service provider it is our role to bring the internet connection from the exchange into your property - up to the fibre ONT. Beyond the ONT you connect to your router and it is this device, owned and maintained by you, the end user, that powers your Wi-Fi connection and 'reception'.
Your Wi Fi reception will be related to a range of factors.
* Your router make and model - Not all routers are the same. The router gives the Wi-Fi signal, not the fibre ONT.
* Your device - the older the device, the more likely it will be slow...
* Your location - the distance and interference between your router and your device impacts performance. For example, someone could have a router in the garage and their laptop, phone, etc. in the bedroom located two rooms and 4 walls away. Wi Fi connectivity (you might say 'reception' in this case) will be poor. This will be due to interference and distance issues, we cannot affect this. If you have doubts about your broadband speed, it is always recommended t connect directly via a cable to your router and perform a speed check. A fixed, wired connection will ALWAYS perform better than Wi-Fi.
There are a selection of our top tips to boost your wi-fi performance and in turn your broadband speed on the Broadband Compare website here.
This depends on a range of factors, but the most common causes of slow internet speeds are actually problems with your wi-fi, not the internet coming into your property.
There are a selection of our top tips to boost your wi-fi performance and in turn your broadband speed on the Broadband Compare website here.
There are many online tools to check speed in your home on various devices. We love the simple process at https://www.broadbandspeedcheck.co.nz
Lots of different factors can impact your broadband speed:
- First off, your connection type: At Simply Broadband we offer 3 different fibre broadband plans of varying speeds.
- Next most common issue will be the number of connected devices: The more devices connected to your network, the more bandwidth is shared, which can slow down speeds for all devices.
- Router or modem performance: An outdated or low-quality router can bottleneck your broadband speed. Ensure your router is capable of handling high-speed fibre connections.
- Wi-Fi interference: Physical obstructions, other electronic devices, and even neighbouring Wi-Fi networks can interfere with your signal and reduce speeds, the microwave is the worst offender!
- Background activities: Applications and devices running background activities (updates, downloads, streaming) can consume bandwidth and slow down your internet speed.
There are lots of things… try different devices to see if the problem is connection or device based.
MTU – maximum transmission unit – is a measurement of the size of data that can flow into a device connected to a device. Along the network, data flows in different sized pieces, each size determined by the MTU. These pieces are called packets. When data is sent over the internet, it is broken down into smaller chunks – packets. For example, if you send your friend a link to a website, that data is broken into smaller packets as it travels across the network. When it arrives at your friend’s laptop, the packets are reassembled into the original website page.
It can be looked at like a motorway tunnel. If a truck or other vehicle is too large, it won’t fit in the tunnel. The size of data pieces works the same way for your router. Therefore, your router needs to have an MTU equal to the network that you are connected to.
Your router MTU must be: 1500 MTU.
This is the number that will ensure your connection and speed remains consistent. If the data pieces aren’t the right size for the router, your connection will be inconsistent, impacting speed. When shopping for routers, be sure to choose one with an MTU of 1500!
Placing your modem in the optimal location is crucial for achieving the best internet performance. Here are some tips on where to place your modem:
- Central Location: Place your modem in a central area of your home to ensure even coverage throughout. This helps distribute the signal more evenly across all rooms.
- Elevated Position: Position your modem on a high shelf or mount it on a wall to minimise obstructions and enhance signal strength.
- Away from Obstacles: Avoid placing your modem near thick walls, metal objects, or large appliances, as these can block or interfere with the signal.
- Near Connected Devices: If you have devices that require a stable, high-speed connection (like gaming consoles or smart TVs), place the modem closer to these devices.
- Avoid Interference: Keep the modem away from other electronic devices that can cause interference, such as microwaves, cordless phones, and baby monitors.
- Open Space: Place the modem in an open area rather than inside a cabinet or behind furniture to allow the signal to travel freely.
- Ventilation: Ensure the modem is in a well-ventilated area to prevent overheating, which can affect performance.
- Correct Orientation: Make sure the modem's antennas (if it has them) are oriented correctly. For most modems, having one antenna vertical and one horizontal can improve coverage.
By following these guidelines, you can maximize the performance and reliability of your internet connection.
We partner with a multi award winning, specialist network provider in New Zealand. Our domestic network provides voice and data services across New Zealand, connected by 100G and 400G backhaul systems to over 26 data centres across the country.
Our main nodes in Auckland are located in Ponsonby, Northcote, Mayoral Drive, Orbit Drive and Queen Street data centres, as well as co-location in DataVault, IBM and others.
We use these paths specifically to support the two distinct geographies of New Zealand and Australia, and our short-path options for both transit and Layer2 services provide the best possible latency between each geography.
It's a pretty awesome network.
There are several reasons why your broadband might be slow. Here are some common causes:
- Outdated Equipment: Older modems or routers may not support higher speeds. Ensure your equipment is up to date.
- Wi-Fi Interference: Physical obstructions, other electronic devices, and neighbouring Wi-Fi networks can interfere with your signal.
- Too Many Devices: Multiple devices using the internet simultaneously can slow down your connection.
- Background Activities: Downloads, updates, or other high-bandwidth activities running in the background can consume your bandwidth.
- Malware: Viruses or malware on your devices can affect your internet speed.
- Service Outages: Check if Simply Broadband is experiencing outages or technical issues.
By identifying and addressing these factors, you can often improve your broadband speed.
Did you know that WiFi and broadband are not synonymous. That’s right! They are two different things. While broadband, WiFi, and internet are all related, there are important differences between the two. However, they all work together to keep you connected to the digital world!
If that fact makes your head feel a little scrambled, fear not. Here at Simply Broadband, we have put this article together to demystify the differences and help you understand the two things – in a simple way!
What is Broadband?
Broadband is a type of service that enables you to access anything you could ever need from the internet. This service requires a certain type of network technology to work.
Historically, New Zealand’s broadband network used copper wiring technology. This was a groundbreaking service in our nation’s digital age, providing a gateway to the internet for Kiwis. ADSL and VDSL broadband services ran for many years on this network, using electricity to transmit data back and forth. However, as time went on, and our demand for the digital world grew, the copper network started to fall behind. We needed a newer technology.
Then came the game-changer that was the fibre network. Rolling out over a few years, the fibre optic cables were an advanced form of technology that boosted speeds, capacities, and fostered an entirely new digital landscape. Fibre optic cables are made of tiny glass fibres and use light to transmit data, making it faster, more reliable, and durable for our digital needs. Now, most of New Zealand uses fibre for their broadband services.
Here at Simply Broadband, our broadband plans run on the fibre network, ensuring you get the fastest, most reliable and efficient broadband connection possible. Simple as that. Check out our plans to find the right fibre deal for your household.
What is WiFi?
WiFi is not broadband or internet. WiFi is the type of wireless connection that connects devices in a particular location to a router. This router acts like a “bridge” between the broadband service and the internet, connecting your phone or laptop to the internet via the broadband service.
WiFi needs radio signals to keep your devices connected to the router. Therefore, it’s important that, when setting up your router to connect to your broadband plan, that you place the router in a central location in your home or office, ideally away from microwaves and furniture that would block or interfere with the invisible waves.
WiFi routers can generally only have a limited number of devices connected to them. They also require passwords and authentication to access the WiFi network, making them secure forms of internet access. If you are connected to a public WiFi network, it’s a good idea to use a VPN to protect your device and private information from being hacked.
The internet is a worldwide system of interconnected computer networks and devices that communicate with each other. It is a vast and seemingly endless network that connects computers all over the world, allowing people to communicate, connect, and share information with one another. You can also access the internet with your mobile device through cellular data when you are out and about!
