Why Boost Speeds Now?

Why are broadband speeds being upgraded at this time?

Consumer demand for data continues to grow rapidly. In 2023 alone, average monthly data usage increased by 8%, and peak hour usage surged by 23%. To stay ahead of this trend, we’re upgrading speeds now to ensure our network can support future needs.

What’s driving this increased demand?

Several key factors are contributing to the rise in data usage:

More connected devices in households

• Multiple screens and devices: Households now have more devices running simultaneously—like streaming Netflix while gaming.
• Smart home tech: Devices such as smart cameras, speakers, and thermostats are becoming more common, adding to bandwidth demand.
• According to OMDIA research, the number of connected devices per household is doubling every five years.

Growth in streaming

• Shift from broadcast to streaming: More people are moving away from traditional TV to streaming platforms.
• 4K content: Services like Netflix and Disney+ already offer 4K streaming, and traditional broadcasters are following suit—raising peak-time speed requirements.

Larger software and game updates

• Background updates: Games and apps often auto-update while users are streaming or browsing, increasing bandwidth needs.
• Game streaming: The rise of cloud gaming services and large game downloads during peak hours also contributes to higher speed demands.

June 2025 Speed Boost – Frequently Asked Questions

What’s Changing?

What is the June 2025 speed boost about?

Local Fibre Companies (LFCs) are rolling out speed upgrades for selected broadband plans. These upgrades will be applied automatically throughout June 2025.

Which plans are being upgraded?

The following plans will receive speed boosts:

• Unlimited: from 300/100 Mbps to estimated average busy time speeds* of 500/100 Mbps 

Your new plan has not been tested by the Measuring Broadband New Zealand (MBNZ) study. Once your plan has been tested by MBNZ we will publish the actual average speeds.

*The Unlimited speeds shown above are estimated national peak time average speeds until we have Commerce Commission’s Measuring Broadband New Zealand results. The speed you experience at any time given may be higher or lower than these averages and depends on factors including the performance of your modem, location of the server, your computer / phone and how your Wi-Fi has been set up.

Do I need to replace my modem to get the speed boost?

No, if you're using a modem supplied by Slingshot, it’s already capable of handling the new speeds.
If you're using your own modem/device (BYOD), you may need to check its specifications to ensure it supports the upgraded speeds.

What if I experience issues after the upgrade?

Any issues not related to the speed boost will be handled on a case-by-case basis by our support team.

When will I receive the speed boost?

The rollout will occur in two phases:

• 1–30 June: Local Fibre Companies (LFCs) will begin upgrading speeds in the background for existing customers (exact date depends on your LFC).
• 25 June – 31 July: All new and existing customers will automatically receive the new speeds. By this date, all customers should be experiencing the upgraded speeds.

Will I be notified when my speed is upgraded?

Customer communications are planned to begin from 30 June.

Will boosting the 300/100 Fibre plan to 500/100 affect the Unlimited Gigantic plan?

No. The Unlimited Gigantic plan will continue to deliver superior performance, offering significantly higher download and upload speeds compared to the upgraded 500/100 plan. This ensures that customers who require top-tier performance will still find the Unlimited Gigantic plan to be the best choice.