The Commerce Commission’s latest Measuring Broadband New Zealand report, from independent testing partner SamKnows, looked at broadband video conferencing performance for free accounts for the first time.
Before 2019, the importance of good videoconferencing performance may not have been high on your list when choosing a new broadband plan. But as 2020 has developed in unprecedented and unexpected ways, videoconferencing is increasingly vital as we work and learn from home.
The latest Measuring Broadband Report measure the performance of Google Meet, Microsoft Team, Skype and Zoom by looking at latency. The report compared ADSL, VDSL, Fixed Wireless, Fibre 100 and Fibre Max.
Latency refers to the reaction speed of your network connection. It is measured as the time it takes to send data and receive a reply, measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the number the better.
Poor latency speeds cause noticeable delays between video and audio – those awkward pauses between you speaking and the other person hearing your voice. Latency is also an important metric for serious online gamers, as issues with latency can delay response times and mean the difference between winning and losing.
"The tests show fibre is best at supporting uninterrupted video calling via increasingly popular platforms including Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Skype and Zoom. Meanwhile, copper and fixed wireless plans were more likely to experience delays during a call," says Telecommunications Commissioner Tristan Gilbertson.
"COVID-19 has highlighted how important having good home internet is for work and keeping in touch with family and friends. The more volunteers we have, the more detailed we can make our reports and the more we can do to lift internet performance for all New Zealanders."
The report found that:
100Mbps
Sign up to Slingshot's 300Mbps Unlimited Fibre Plan and pay ONLY $87/month. T&Cs apply.
Sign up on a 12-month contract and pay only $87/month! Also, bundle your broadband and power and get $20/mth Bu...
Terms and Conditions apply
12 months
Family filter
Here’s your chance to join New Zealand’s most Satisfied Broadband Customers on Now broadband. $47.50/m for six months then standard pricing of $95/m applies. Fibre 300 only. 12-month term. T&Cs apply....
Terms and Conditions apply
12 months
500Mbps
Sign up for a 12-month contract and get Unlimited Broadband for $79/m! Plus, get 6 months of Amazon Prime Video too. T&C's apply.
Requires 2degrees Pay Monthly Mobile Plan. 12 month term applies. T&C'...
Terms and Conditions apply
12 months
Mobile
100Mbps
Get $10/mth off for the life of the plan when you sign up for an eligible Unlimited broadband plan. Plus, bundle your broadband and One NZ Pay Monthly mobile plan and get an extra $10/mth off! Also,
Terms and Conditions apply
open term
BYO Router / Mobile / WiFi Extender
100Mbps
Sign up for the Orcon Fibre plan through Broadband Compare and get $22 monthly discount for 12 months! Bundle your broadband and power and get 10% bundle discount on both services. Get $5/mth off for
Terms and Conditions apply
12 months
