Comparing rural internet providers
United Stated based internet provider that uses low earth orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity throughout the world.
Hamilton based provider that beams fast internet directly to rural properties from fixed wireless towers located on hilltops across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Lightwire vs Starlink at a glance
Low Earth Orbit technology is cool, but here’s why Lightwire is a better solution for rural families in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.
Performance
Both providers will provide sufficient speeds to have multiple family members streaming Netflix, playing online games, and working from home with ease.
| Performance Comparison | Lightwire | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Connection type: | ||
| Stream multiple devices in 4k resolution: |  | |
| Work from home: | | |
| Online gaming: | | |
| Whole Home WiFi Guarantee | |  |
| 24/7 Fault Monitoring & Response: | ||
| Data Equity |
Wherever you are at home, you need to be able to do your thing. And that’s where Lightwire’s Whole Home WiFi Guarantee comes in.
Fixed Wireless Reliability
Lightwire’s fixed wireless towers are fed by business-grade internet connections and we directly beam that to your property’s dish.
The towers are built for Kiwi conditions with backup powerplants to manage any storm or extreme weather event like the recent cyclone.
Because there are no moving parts in getting internet to your place the connection is extremely reliable.
99.99%
Average Tower Uptime
(last 30 days – all towers)
Rural families already enjoy fast & reliable internet from Lightwire
4.5
From 230 reviews
There are lots of rural households in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty just like yours that already made the switch to Lightwire’s Fixed Wireless Broadband network (check out how Lightwire delivers fast internet to rural homes here).
Cost & Installation
You want value for money and to ensure that your monthly bills aren’t going up any time soon. Lightwire is more affordable and installs the service for you.
| Cost & Installation Comparison | Lightwire | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plans: | ||
| Kit Cost: | ||
| Installation: |
Do it yourself or hire an installer for $555 ex. GST |
Flexibility to change plans
Are the kids coming over and need more data or are they leaving the house?
Lightwire gives you unparalleled flexibility. Regardless of which plan you sign up to, you can upgrade or downgrade that plan at any time without penalty. This is done via your customer portal.
Upgrades take effect immediately, and plan downgrades take effect at the start of the following month.
Everything done for you, by a pro
Within 14 days of your order, an installer will come to your house to install Lightwire.
The installer will work with you to find a suitable location for the dish and Wi-Fi router placement. Once approved the installer will install the dish, place the Wi-Fi router, and run test to ensure you’re good to go.
And if you need a hand with connecting any devices, we will be happy to help with that too.
Sustainability & Community
We all live here, we care about our community and the legacy we leave for our kids. Providing services in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way is a key focus for Lightwire.
| Sustainability Comparison | Lightwire | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainability: | ||
| Recyclable network equipment: | | |
| Hires local: | | |
| Supports local: | | |
Winner of Best Rural Internet Provider
Not just once, but twice in a row has Lightwire been voted for best New Zealand rural internet provider of the year by a panel of New Zealand internet experts at the NZ compare awards.
Every year we’re putting more and more time and money in the network to ensure rural families across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty can enjoy city internet, rurally.
Support
Sooner or later, something is going to happen, and when it does, you will want help ASAP. Internet impacts almost every aspect of modern life, so the reliability of your connection is critical. No one wants to wait hours to get a response to a support request, and that shows when comparing service reviews.
| Support Comparison | Lightwire | Starlink |
|---|---|---|
| What happens when you need help? | ||
| Service review: | ||
| Support team location: | ||
| Phone support: | | |
| Average wait time: | ||
| Ground Support: | Local installers and technicians who can come out to your property to install and resolve any issues if they do arise | No ground support. You’ll have to engage a third party for issues that can’t be fixed remotely. |
The community minded alternative to Starlink for rural Waikato and Bay of Plenty
you're guaranteed
A Fixed Price
Rural households are struggling. Inflation is rampant. Cost of groceries are through the roof. And let’s not even talk about the cost to service the mortgage and other loans…
You need to know that prices won’t be increasing any time soon, and when you sign up with Lightwire you’re guaranteed that your prices won’t be going up for the duration of your contract.
you're guaranteed
Minimum download speeds
Nothing is more frustrating than coming home after a hard day of working and your connection keeps dropping out making gaming, calls, and streaming unbearable.
Lightwire’s rural broadband comes with guaranteed download speeds, so that you don’t have to worry about your internet connection sh*tting the bed every time you want to to use it.
you're guaranteed
fast service
Getting you up and running as fast as possible is our priority. We’ll get an installer to visit your place within 14 days to get you connected.
With an average call wait time below 2 mins, when you need us, you’ll get hold of our local support team quickly.
Installs may take longer if safety is at risk.
Flexible rural broadband plans
All Lightwire Rural Fixed Wireless Broadband plans are flexible, meaning you can change your plan at any time.
- Step 1: Pick a plan
- Step 2: Fill out your details
- Step 3: We'll confirm your coverage
- Step 4: Be online in 14 days
- Step 1: Pick a plan
- Step 2: Fill out your details
- Step 3: We'll confirm your coverage
- Step 4: Be live in 14 days*
Easily switch between plans
Your data usage can vary, so we make sure you can switch plans, up or down, as many times as you want. Downgrades will take effect from the 1st day of the next month, upgrades will take effect immediately so that you don’t get hit with excess data charges.
Add unlimited calling
Unlimited calling to New Zealand and Australian landlines and mobiles for $19.95/month.
No more variable charges for calls to friends and family in Australia and NZ, with Lightwire’s unlimited calling offer, you can talk as much as want.
You just need to plug in your analogue phone to the router we provide.
Make the switch
Check if you're in coverage for Lightwire rural internet
Type in your address to see if you can join the 9,000 Rural households that went before you.
Need help deciding?
give us a call
On average you’ll get a wireless broadband specialist on the phone in less than 2 minutes.
