Why you should choose fibre broadband
Choosing the right broadband can be a real headache managing all the technologies, deals and services from internet providers. As well as fibre, there’s other technologies around like cellular-based services sold as broadband (called fixed wireless) and some homes are still on old copper broadband (called ADSL and VDSL).The Commerce Commission publishes a quarterly broadband comparison report called “Measuring Broadband New Zealand” to help consumers make informed decisions.
The latest report highlights the differences in performance in average download speeds on different technologies. On a 100Mbps (megabits per second - speed) fibre plan, you get an average speed of 99Mbps – so what you would expect and pay for. On a top end fibre plan the average speed jumps to over 708Mbps. Other technologies are much slower – ADSL (9Mbps), fixed wireless (26Mbps) and VDSL (43Mbps).
Speed is the key to good broadband performance and the report highlights this. With fibre, you can successfully stream ultra-high definition video nearly all the time (99%). On VDSL this drops by about 10%, on fixed wireless this will only work two-thirds of the time and one tenth of the time on ADSL. Fixed wireless, ADSL and VDSL can also be prone to performance drops when lots of people are using their broadband service at the same time.Sometimes bad weather can be a factor for cellular-based services. Fibre does not suffer these issues.
Visit our website to find out if fibre is available at your place.
All the best, from your local Enable Fibre team.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Poll: Does grocery bagging affect where you shop?
There's only a few differences between our larger chain supermarkets here in New Zealand. Having someone bag your groceries is one of them.
Does having your groceries packed for you at the checkout influence where you do your grocery shop? If so, tell us why.
-
23.9% Yes
-
75.3% No
-
0.7% Other - I'll share below
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!