Skinny

Skinny’s whole reason for being is to strip everything back, so you only pay for stuff you actually want at super low prices. It’s based on a model called common sense. Skinny broadband only does award-winning mobile and broadband, and it’s all prepay.

Skinny Mobile is a division of Spark New Zealand Trading Limited, and Skinny happily uses Spark's 4G network.

Do I need to use the Skinny router (modem)?
Yes, you do but if you sign up on their 12-month term contract plan, you will get a modem for free. If you prefer to keep things simple and stay out of contracts then you will need to buy it for $99. This router has been configured and works right out of the box with a very simple setup to make things super easy. You cannot bring your own modem to connect to them.

Is it really unlimited?
Correct, their Unlimited Broadband is a fixed-line connection (as opposed to the 4G wireless broadband), which means you can stream all the movies you want and not worry about your data. There is no data limits or caps!

Is Skinny Unlimited Broadband available everywhere?
Anyone who can get a fixed-line internet connection in New Zealand can get ADSL or VDSL plans. You can also get fibre connections in the main centres, including Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Whanganui, Christchurch, Dunedin and many others.

How fast is the connection?
After you enter your address in the address checker, we will show you the best connection type available at your property. Their base plans are the same price, no matter what type of connection you can get, and your speed will totally depend on the connection type. With standard (VDSL or ADSL) connection your maximum speed will be around 10 to 50Mbps (average throughout New Zealand). If fibre is already installed in your house or your address is fibre ready, you will be able to get speed up to 900Mbps. As soon as fibre becomes available at your street, just get in touch with them and they will look at upgrading your connection to fibre.

** NOTE: The above information has been provided by the ISP or reproduced from their website **

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Reliability	5.7
Speed	5.7
Support	5.1
Features	5.0
Value	6.6

Average from 89 reviews

Showing 16-20 of 89 items.

2021-09-15 12:48:44

Rajeev Wadhwa 8.0

Great

2021-09-14 08:19:53

Michael 7.0

Restricted internet! Recently started to block connection to port 25 anywhere!

Pros

Working most of the time

Cons

Restricted internet!

2021-08-31 13:14:51

Andy 4.0

I was on 4G,
I guess I expected more from 4G but is so slow it feels like being back on dial up!

Pros

Cheap

Cons

4G, So Slow!!!!

2021-08-19 19:14:56

Marshall McMonagle 6.4

Skinny is good value for money if you take up their current 3 months free offer. We have been with Skinny for 1 year and have found the fibre service to be very reliable with hardly any outages that I can recall. Their customer service is not fantastic and every time I have contacted them I don't feel satisfied with the outcome. As we are now out of contract with Skinny and they declined to renew our contract with 3 months free (they only offer 2 months free for existing cust ...read more

Pros

Fast, reliable internet.

Cons

Their support/customer service seems to be lacking in my opinion.

2021-07-11 02:41:07

Just Another 'Customer' 2.2

Skinny have consistently messed up EVERYTHING I contact them about. To their DISadvantage? It's their own fault, e.g. not disclosing all info for a consumer to make an informed decision - PLEASE REMEMBER THAT POINT. The Consumer Guarantees Act protects us consumers from cowboys like Skinny (who are essentially the 'budget' Telecom - same company underneath!). So? If a consumer is NOT given all information prior to making a decision? CGA has you covered. This alone has ensured Skinny have had to take ownership of their numerous - overt - mistakes; EVERY time. And there have been MANY. Yeah, they can put me on hold for extended times (and they do), And each time something goes wrong? I insist on speaking to a Team Leader - no questions/if's/but's/maybe's. I wish I didn't have to use them - though like another reviewer, fibre required digging through neighbours lawn etc (that'd be worse than dealing with Skinny!). HOWEVER - This week? Civtec have been in the cul-de-sac connecting ALL houses to fibre (previously, fibre relied solely on power lines in the cul-de-sac - and they were all maxed out at six connections - apparently the max allowed). Bottom line? If you try Skinny? Be prepared for CR@P service, long hold/wait times/being disconnected/given misinformation/NO information, etc. Though please BE PERSISTENT. Their real-time online chat generally yields better service (though it's still Skinny), and with it, an increased ability to understand the problem succintly (including statements such as - if the phone recording proves you're right - "I'll fight for you!" Insert LOL emoji here). They're meant to be providing 'service' - not treating people disrespectfully in the same manner other major monopoly holders do. Stand firm. Don't take their cr@p. Their wireless broadband is overpriced for the rubbish speed available (it's garbage, really - even using wired ethernet connection). Plus, not all plans are available in all locations, e.g. unlimited - WHY? If the service is available, then ALL plans should be too. That alone is SUSPECT if you ask me - it has NOTHING to do with cell towers or whatever - it's about PROFIT. Cell tower placement etc - BLAH. I live in a major city other co's can offer what Skinny fails to deliver. So, hmmm. Also? Have noticed an OVERT deterioration in customer service compared to, say, 12+ months ago? Oh yeah, Covid lockdown! Everyone had to be nice back then, didn't they? (Plus they were working from home in PJ's). Suffice to say? NOT A SKINNY FAN. Never was; never will be. Though also unsure about the fibre HYPE. EVERYONE has awesome intro deals - half price, then BOOM! Hello ~$100 per month. No thanks. It's STILL ridiculously priced here in NZ. We suffer from being the Land Of The Long White Cloud...miles away from anywhere else (though that's clearly a bonus re Covid - Catch 22, huh)? Cr@p internet + no Covid - OR - better internet and a lot of Covid. What a 'choice'?! *Facepalm. Oh! And not long ago Skinny shafted many when they 'refined' their WB plans - essentially they ditched their cheapest plan (though you could stay on it by letting it auto-renew), and raised cost of all their plans. Then? If on cheapest plan, though to resolve an issue - e.g. DESPITE written support from NZ Police and NEEDING to renew your - woefully inadequate data - plan a FEW DAYS early, because NO data left to run ESSENTIAL equip such as SECURITY CAMS? You're FORCED to move from the (now-defunct) cheapest plan for 'reasons' beyond their control, and - OF COURSE! - FAILED to tell you they CAN'T move you back to the plan you COULD/SHOULD have remained on - if ONLY there were data add-ons available to buy to tide you over! Getting you to change your plan BEFORE advising you the relevant fine print - while also giving ZERO indication THEIR solution would be an issue, i.e. by flagging it first - e.g. "However - if I move you from this plan? You won't be able to change back" - so simple, huh? Utter Corp SC*M. Will never forget that blunder Telecom...ooops, I meant to type Skinny! ...read more

Pros

None. Only that it's available and avoided having neighbours lawn disturbed to reach termination point deemed closest, when another one was equidistant the opposite direction. They (were) the lesser of two evils. Thus not exactly a pro, is it?

Cons

Too many to list. Read the fine print, and who they're owned by. That says it all. AVOID. NOTE: Perhaps familiarise self with contact details for the NZ Telecommunications Dispute Resolution org - you may need the detail ...read more

Showing 16-20 of 89 items.

27/03/2019

Share No Evil browser extension launches to tackle online terror in NZ

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12/09/2018

SPOTLIGHT: Skinny

Check out our latest Spotlight on Skinny Broadband. Skinny offer a stripped-back wireless broadband service.

6/12/2017

Broadband Deals for University Students in NZ

We’re very fortunate that the big Universities in New Zealand are now all fibre broadband enabled. All well and good when on campus… but what about in your digs? Check out these Student broadband deals for 2018

15/03/2017

Fixed Wireless Broadband versus Fixed Line Broadband (ADSL, VDSL, Cable or Fibre)

Internet providers in New Zealand offer different connection options to broadband subscribers. These different broadband options are ADSL, VDSL, Cable, Fibre, and now Fixed Wireless.

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