Pulse Energy Broadband Review 

Aug 14, 2023
Broadband
Eleonora
Pulse Energy broadband cables, a community-owned energy company

Source: DepositPhotos

Broadband services in New Zealand are constantly expanding, helping deliver high-quality Internet within the country. One of the propagators of this change is Pulse Energy. 

Check out this Pulse Energy broadband review to learn more about its plans, pricing, speeds, and overall performance. You'll also find reviews from other users to help you learn from their real-life experiences.

Pulse Energy: Overview 

Pulse Energy is a community-owned energy retailer powering homes across New Zealand with electricity, gas, and broadband services. Being independent enables Pulse Energy to offer customers competitive rates and flexibility.  

Beyond supplying electricity, Pulse Energy is deeply involved in the community, backing local sports teams and charities. They run an initiative called 'Pay it Forward' that helps those facing energy hardship.

How Does Pulse Energy Broadband Work?

Pulse Energy offers Broadband services to complement its electricity supply. When you bundle them, you enjoy special rates, making it a cost-effective choice.

Note that Broadband is an add-on product. You'll transfer to the standard broadband rates if you cancel your electricity services. 

The standard rates are more expensive. You can compare both on their website. 

Benefits of Pulse Energy Broadband

Pulse Energy offers unlimited broadband plans when customers purchase electricity

Being a Pulse Energy Broadband user comes with the following perks:

Transparent Pricing

Pulse Energy Broadband's commitment to transparency is impressive. They send you a detailed breakdown of your charges every month. Unlike other services that'll email you an invoice without details, this is more reassuring.  

Again, there is no prompt payment discount, hidden fee or unexpected cost, just straightforward billing. This can give you the confidence to budget effectively and eliminates financial surprises.

High-Quality Internet Speed

As a Pulse Energy customer, the first thing you'll probably notice is its fast network. It uses Fibre internet networks that are comparatively faster than satellite ones. 

We tested its Lite Fibre plan using our speed test tool; it measured between 40 and 50 Mbps. As a rule of thumb (10 Mbps per user), this can comfortably carry 4 to 5 internet users. 

However, the stated speed isn't a constant; it can be higher or lower depending on your modem, location, and WiFi setup. 

Internet Options for Everyone

Pulse Energy offers internet plans suitable for small and large households or businesses. Starting at $65 monthly, you can enjoy a fast and secure Internet on its Fibre network.

And if you have more needs, you can purchase a Fibre Pro plan to get up to 850 Mbps download speed.

Exclusive Discount on Bundle Plans

Pulse Energy offers exclusive discounts when bundling electricity and broadband services. This is a game-changer as it doesn't only save you money but can also streamline your billing process. 

Having both services under one provider makes things easier. You no longer have to deal with multiple bills from different companies every month.

High Trust Score

Pulse Energy is a people-first company that provides regular support to communities and families who cannot afford energy bills.

The South Island Super Rugby is a testament to one of their community projects. They also sponsor other local teams and charities. While these might not directly affect your Broadband usage, we can all agree that companies like this put their customer's interests first.  

Pulse Energy Broadband Downsides

Person in tie-dye sweater doing thumbs down

Source: Pexels.com

These are a few things you might want to consider before using Pulse Energy Broadband:

Difficulty in Tracking Data Consumption

Checking data consumption at any moment allows you to adjust your internet usage accordingly, preventing unexpected data overages.

But unlike several other broadband providers like ACS Data that offer tools for this, Pulse doesn’t provide this option. You might have challenges controlling or keeping tabs on data usage in real time.

High Standard Rates

For those who only opt for broadband services without bundling, the standard rates offered by Pulse Energy are higher compared to some other providers.

If you're on a budget, you might want to consider other cheaper Broadband options

Unreliable Customer Service

We collected reviews from over 38 Pulse Energy customers, and several customers stated that their experience with the customer service was unsatisfying.

While these Pulse Energy reviews are based on its power services and don't reflect what you might experience with the broadband service, it's still worth considering.

Pulse Energy Broadband Pricing and Plans

Pulse Energy broadband plans and pricing for all customers

Here's a summary of what you can expect to pay for Pulse Energy Broadband: 

  • Everyday Fibre: This offers an average download speed of 300 Mbps and an affordable price of $89 per month.
  • Lite Fibre: Priced at $65 per month, it offers an average download speed of 50 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps.
  • Fibre Pro: The Fibre Pro plan delivers an average download speed of 850 Mbps and an upload speed of 500 Mbps. It costs $105 per month.
  • Starter: For $79.00 per month, you can enjoy unlimited Internet with an ADSL/VDSL connection. 
    The pricing above applies only to bundle purchases. You can expect to pay as much as $120 monthly for a standard Fibre connection. 

Also, the power company has other fees you might have to pay, such as an early termination fee. You can check out the complete pricing list on their website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay for a modem?

No, you don’t have to pay for a modem if you have one. Pulse Energy has a bring-your-own (BYO) Modem policy that allows you to use your modem. However, it must be suitable for Fibre or ADSL/VDSL connections. Compatibility on the Pulse Energy Broadband network is another criterion. 

Can I buy broadband without electricity?

Directly purchasing broadband from Pulse Energy is unavailable. You can only get broadband access when you buy an electricity package.

Is Pulse Energy Broadband Worth It?

Low cost, competitive internet speed, quality services, all of these, and we could easily agree that Pulse Energy Broadband is worth trying out. While they aren't the perfect solution, the pros outweigh the cons in this case. 

It can be a reliable internet provider if you look at the bright side. We also find the combination of electricity and the Internet helpful, especially for businesses that most likely depend on them. 

If you like Pulse Energy Broadband, we suggest comparing its energy rates on our website before making a decision to switch. 

+
Tea Edwards , 2024-03-25

I was a little hesitant to stay on the call when I first picked up but I’m glad I stayed until I did. Josua Legavai was the lovely lady taking care of me. She was so friendly, clear and helpful. She helped me understand everything I needed to and explained everything with great detail. I am still young and learning and have just moved into a new home with my son so I’m grateful she was able to help me today.

Zoe Pascoe , 2024-02-26

Highly recommend Jordan at Glimp, very professional and really good at her job! thank you for the help definitely saved me alot of time ready for our move thank you Jordan A+++++

Peter Allport , 2024-02-23

I'm so happy I asked Glimp for help, to find a service provider that suits our family's budget, without losing quality and unlimited data on both our mobile phones and broadband. Mele Falahola is a Comparison Specialist from Glimp and she was amazing from the beginning. Mele located the right service provider for our needs that will save us money!, fulfil our usage and more! compared to what we were using. My wife and I even asked for a comparison on our electricity bill. Mele responded immediately once she saw our monthly bills and compared it to another provider that not only do not required a contract to stick too (like the mobile and broadband provider Mele recommended) but their price per kWh was so much better! Which is why we changed that also. Thank you Mele and Glimp for your help. We can now look forward to our Christmas holiday in the Cook Islands from what we can now save. :-)