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.
Spring gardening tips
Dreaming of a garden bursting with colour and fresh produce? Shane Fairbairn, Ryman Healthcare’s Landscape Manager, shares his top tips to make it happen. You’ll be set to create a gorgeous, relaxing space in no time - grab your trowel, and let’s dig in.
Click read more for more information.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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84% Yes
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14.7% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.