Vodafone soft-launches ultrafast broadband

Vodafone NZ is now offering Ultra-Fast Broadband (UFB) plans, but only to some customers.

This follows a fibre trial that began in mid-2012. Customers who put their details on Vodafone’s ‘UFB waiting list’ have been invited to sign for a ‘special VIP offer’.

Apparently Vodafone has formalised a complete commercial residential UFB offer, though this is not yet listed on the company website and centre representatives are referring to it as a ‘special VIP offer.

Prices appear to be in line with existing Vodafone plans and those offered by other UFB retail service providers.

UFB price premium

Initial plans are listed in full on the UFB NZ pricing page. There are three base plans: 80GB, 150GB and 250GB – each available at 30Mbs/10Mbs and 100Mbs/30Mbs. The faster plans attract an additional $30 per month price premium, with a phone line being an optional extra for $20 a month.

As with some of Vodafone’s existing ADSL plans there is a $30 a month discount for customers who have a mobile connected to a Vodafone on-account plan.

Based on what we’ve heard, the highest and lowest plans are as follows:

• UFB 30Mbs/10Mbs – 80GB data, no phone line – $95 (or $65 for those with a Vodafone on account mobile)
• UFB 100Mbs/50Mbs – 250GB data, phone line – $169 (or $139 for those with a Vodafone on account mobile)

Customers signing up receive free service for two months and a Vodafone Station router. A term of 12-months applies with a $199 fee for early termination.

We’re currently awaiting further details from Vodafone about these UFB plans and which regions they are being offered in. Currently we are aware they available in regions covered by Chorus UFB rollout.