Mercury NZ Broadband Review

Source: Mercury.co.nz

In early 2022, electricity and gas company Mercury launched Mercury Broadband, its internet service. The energy company already provides mobile services to its consumers, so this foray into the world of internet service provision isn’t completely out of the blue. 

However, does Mercury have what it takes to rank among the best broadband providers in New Zealand?

This Mercury NZ Broadband review has the answers. We’ll discuss its broadband deals, features, speed, and other information you’ll need to know before making the switch or putting your money down.

About Mercury and Mercury Broadband

Mercury is an energy company based in New Zealand that's owned by the Crown (which holds a 51% share in the company). 

The company uses 100% renewable resources to generate power, namely thermal, hydro, and wind power. It also provides utilities (mobile, gas, and electricity) to customers through its subsidiary companies and brands Mercury, GLOBUG, and TrustPower. 

If you’re a Mercury account holder, you may find Mercury Broadband convenient.

It lets you use a single provider when paying for your broadband, electricity, mobile, and gas, as opposed to multiple providers. 

Package Overview

Mercury Broadband is a fibre broadband service, meaning you’ll need to check if your area has fibre. You can use our fibre checker to confirm availability.

Presently, its plans are aimed at residential customers, not businesses, but that might change in the future. The company offers “naked” fibre broadband, i.e., neither plan includes a phone (landline) connection. 

Mercury also offers wireless broadband, which it delivers over a 4G network. This option will be perfect for you if your area falls outside the range of fibre covered locations.

Mercury Broadband Plans, Setup Charges and Add-ons

Plan	Monthly Cost	Download Speed (Mbps)	Contract Type
Wireless broadband 120 GB	$84	23	Open / Fixed
Wireless broadband 300 GB	$89	23	Open / Fixed
Wireless broadband 1000 GB	$94	23	Open / Fixed
Unlimited FibreClassic [UFB]	$109	314	Open / Fixed
Unlimited FibreMax [MAX]	$124	870	Open / Fixed

https://www.moneyhub.co.nz/mercury-broadband.html 

Plans and Pricing

Mercury Broadband offers a range of plans tailored to different needs. 

Here, we'll break down their goals and pricing, providing an overview of each plan along with its pros and cons:

Wireless Broadband 120 GB

• Monthly cost: $84
• Download Speed (Mbps): 23
• Contract Type: Open / Fixed
• Pros:
  • Affordable monthly cost.
  • Suitable for light internet users.
• Cons:
  • Heavy data users will require more than a limited data allowance (120 GB). 

Wireless Broadband 300 GB

• Monthly cost: $89
• Download Speed (Mbps): 23
• Contract Type: Open / Fixed
• Pros:
  • The price is reasonable, with a decent data allowance.
  • Appropriate for moderate internet usage.
• Cons:
  • Data limitations still exist, so it's not ideal for heavy streaming or downloads.

Wireless Broadband 1000 GB

• Monthly cost: $94
• Download Speed (Mbps): 23
• Contract Type: Open / Fixed
• Pros:
  • Generous data allowance for everyday internet activities.
  • Offers flexibility with open or fixed contract options.
• Cons:
  • The monthly cost is slightly higher, but the added data may be worth it for larger households.

Unlimited FibreClassic [UFB]

• Monthly cost: $109
• Download Speed (Mbps): 314
• Contract Type: Open / Fixed
• Pros:
  • High download speed suitable for various online activities.
  • Unlimited data, providing peace of mind for heavy internet users.
• Cons:
  • The monthly cost is higher, but it may be worth it for fast and unlimited internet access.

Unlimited FibreMax [MAX]

• Monthly cost: $124
• Download Speed (Mbps): 870
• Contract Type: Open / Fixed
• Pros:
  • Blazing fast download speed, ideal for multiple users and high-definition streaming.
  • Unlimited data, ensuring no data cap limitations.
• Cons:
  • It's the most expensive plan but delivers top-tier speed and unlimited usage.

When selecting a plan, it's crucial to consider your internet usage habits and household size. 

Each plan has its advantages and limitations, so choose the one that best aligns with your specific needs. 

Additionally, remember that Mercury offers a range of discounts and perks, including savings for bundling with energy contracts, which can affect your overall cost.

Internet Speed

Source: DepositPhotos

The internet speeds Mercury provides depend on the plan you subscribe to. Naturally, the more expensive the plan, the faster its speed. 

Mercury advertises its lower-tier plan as having 312 MBps download and 108 MBps upload speeds.

In contrast, it claims its higher tier plan has an 853 MBps download and 497 MBps upload speeds. 

During our subscription, we found these speeds to not always be the case, so take them with a grain of salt.

If you decide to go ahead with the service, you can always use a Speed Checker to check your internet speeds.

Uptime/Downtime

Source: DepositPhotos

Unfortunately, Mercury’s broadband service isn’t very stable. It’s susceptible to unacceptably long outages, which can stretch for five hours or more.

Worse still, these downtimes happen frequently. In one particular instance, our broadband suffered outages every day for an entire week. 

In addition, the wireless broadband succumbs to storms and will go down when it starts to rain.

If you live in a rural area, you’ll likely have better luck with a rural provider.

Although we didn’t test the service out there, we haven’t heard great things from people who tried Mercury Broadband in those parts of the country.

As harsh as our assessment sounds, it’s worth remembering that Mercury is still new to providing broadband services. Therefore, these teething issues are to be expected. It’s possible that the service will iron out its downtime kinks given enough time.

Customer Service

Source: Pexels.com

There’s good news and bad news about this broadband provider’s customer service. 

The good news is that it takes customer service extremely seriously. 

The bad news is that the gusto with which Mercury responds to negative reviews online doesn’t match its phone manner.

Bear in mind that the company’s reps are selective about where they provide responses. For example, you’re more likely to get a response on the Better Business Bureau website than on Yelp.

When you contact Mercury via phone, it can be challenging to get a satisfactory response to your query. The first solution the Mercury representative proffered when we tried was to “unplug your router.” 

In a cynical way, it makes sense that Mercury prioritizes bad online reviews over one-on-one telephone conversations, as the former is bad for customer acquisition. However, the company risks losing paying customers if it doesn’t improve this area of its business.

Final Verdict

So should you consider Mercury Broadband? Given that the company is still new to broadband provision, it’s hard to say. If you can stomach the occasional downtime issues and poor customer service, the tradeoff for those problems is some excellent broadband contracts that save you money.

With that said, we think Mercury does electricity and gas supply better than broadband, so it's best to weigh your options before you sign up for its service.

Mercury Broadband Reviews FAQs

Does Mercury have WIFI?

Yes, Mercury Broadband offers WiFi connectivity to its customers. 

When you subscribe to Mercury's broadband service, you can set up a WiFi network in your home or workplace, allowing you to connect multiple devices to wireless internet.

It's crucial to have a compatible WiFi router to ensure a seamless WiFi experience. Mercury can either provide you with a suitable router or recommend one of their own.

What is the speed of Mercury Fibre Max?

Mercury includes Mercury Fibre Max as one of its broadband plans. The speed of Mercury Fibre Max may vary depending on your location and network conditions, but you can count on it to deliver high-speed internet. 

In our 2023 review, Mercury advertised impressive download speeds of up to 853 MBps and upload speeds of up to 497 MBps for their top-tier plan. 

It's worth noting that your specific plan and network congestion can influence the actual speeds you experience. 

You can contact Mercury directly or utilize a Speed Checker tool for the most accurate speed information.

Is Mercury a satellite Internet?

No, Mercury Broadband does not offer satellite internet services. 

Mercury primarily specializes in fiber and wireless broadband solutions using distinct technologies. 

Fiber broadband relies on optical cables to transmit data at high speeds, while wireless broadband harnesses a 4G network to provide internet access. 

These options differ from satellite internet, which relies on satellite communication for internet connectivity. 

Mercury tailors its services to meet the New Zealand market's specific geographical and technological needs.