Telecom should increase their broadband caps!!!

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Telecom should increase their broadband caps!!!

limbuskhan

15 posts

Geek

#70728 29-Oct-2010 14:02

Anyone else here frustrated by Telecom's measly data caps? I'm currently on their pro plan (40gb) and I find it appalling that I pay $81 for such a small amount of data cap, albeit fast speeds. I know some of you would suggest that I move ISP's if I don't like Telecom's plans, but because my household frequent calls overseas, Telecom offers the best rates currently of any other mainstream ISP out there and the person paying the bills (i,e. my mother) doesn't want the hassle of dealing with different companies for broadband and homeline.

Anyway, that's besides the point. Imo Telecom's data caps is in serious need of an overhaul, their just not up to date to the needs of today's broadband consumers. I rarely go over 40gb, but am forced on to their highest tier pro plan (allegedly for 'heavy users') because their next plan down the chain is 20gbs and that's just not enough. I would also like to see Telecom allow their customers to purchase data blocks. Once I went over my 20gb limit and was throttled down to less than dial up speeds, to the point that I was unable to electronically submit a 20kb file for my uni coursework. Rang up Telecom and was surprised to find that I could not negotiate with them for some data allowance so I could do this (and I was more than happy to pay). Had to physically go in to university to use their computers. That's just another gripe I have with Telecom's broadband offerings.

I know this sounds like whinging, but I'm just voicing my frustration at what I see as a totally archaic broadband offering by Telecom that has long been in need of an overhaul. I have waited since 2008, when they last changed their plans significantly, to see some alterations to the plans. But as of yet, nothing. Am thoroughly disappointed and I hope a Telecom representative reads this. I just hate the fact I pay so much for so little. What is the point of FTTH if all i'm worried about is blowing my crappy data cap. I'm happy with the speeds, just not the lousy plans!!! I seriously don't see why Telecom couldnt just increase the data caps? I mean if you talk to a salesperson they are always more than willing to double your cap for a 12 month contract at the mention of a competitor's offerings. So they are clearly aware that they are not up to scratch, so why not change?

It's not like I, and possibly many others, are asking for much here, just a fair bit of data.

Telecom customer since 2006.

ockel

2031 posts

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#397364 29-Oct-2010 14:26

As you say, you can always change ISP's.

Essentially you're trading off cheaper international calls for, in your opinion, expensive broadband. Clearly other ISP's balance their books by charging more for international calls.

So you want cheaper international calls and cheaper broadband. Isnt that having your cake and eating it?
Why not ask the other ISP's if they'll drop the price of their calls for you, or revamp their plans for you? Surely they must have some flexibility on that (according to your logic)?

Sixth Labour Government - "Vision without Execution is just Hallucination"

Ragnor

8223 posts

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#397376 29-Oct-2010 14:48

Telecom is a large slow moving entity, their plans always gradually become uncompetitive then just when you least expect it they come out with new plans undercutting everyone else.

We all expected some kind of interesting new plans when Big Time was withdrawn and were soundly disappointed.

You are quite correct Telecom is lagging the other smaller more agile ISP's in plan features and innovation right now...

Some new plans are rumored to be in the works but really who knows when.

Changing ISP is always a good option if you're not happy.

khull

1245 posts

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#397379 29-Oct-2010 14:52

I hope your post was not intended to be serious because Telecom has never had decent plans that last in the past. Any flat rate unmetered usage did not last beyond 12 months for most users. and they probably never will in the future.

For those remember all the way back they were the first ISP to claim 'broadband' speeds @ 128kbps down. Coupled with an unlimited plan called Jetstream. That tanked after a year.

Then came Go Large which fell over and the recent casualty was Big Time, providing unlimited ADSL2+ that turned to custard after 10+ months.

Don't believe me still? how about unlimited texting? which then got reduced to 500 text - remember that?

They are a terrible bait and switch company. I suggest you introduce your parents to the world of VOIP. I personally pay well over in excess of $100 for my broadband without a phone line.

Ragnor

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#397402 29-Oct-2010 15:21

khull: I hope your post was not intended to be serious because Telecom has never had decent plans that last in the past. Any flat rate unmetered usage did not last beyond 12 months for most users. and they probably never will in the future.

I was on Total Home Lite + Big Time for $99/month, it was incredible value and undercut everyone.

If anything the plan was too popular with the heaviest leechers and their traffic management setup wasn't able to stop people doing multiple TB usage per month so they had to can it.

It's a shame they had to can it but it's not sensible for a business to continue to offer a service at a huge loss.

I'm optimistic they will try again with the lessons learned at some stage.

For those remember all the way back they were the first ISP to claim 'broadband' speeds @ 128kbps down. Coupled with an unlimited plan called Jetstream. That tanked after a year.

I don't see any other ISP building a nationwide network then or currently. Orcon, Telstrclear, Slingshot and Callplus were only willing to install gear in profitable large exchanges leaving Telecom to service all the border line customers.

Telstraclear with their cable network won't even connect extra houses in the same street where they are already servicing customers due to the costs.

Don't believe me still? how about unlimited texting? which then got reduced to 500 text - remember that?

They are a terrible bait and switch company. I suggest you introduce your parents to the world of VOIP. I personally pay well over in excess of $100 for my broadband without a phone line.

I agree that plans sold as unlimited with a fair use clause are lame but they are common all over the world. Marketing departments love that crap.

kobiak

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#397410 29-Oct-2010 15:36

TOTALY!!! :D

helping others at evgenyk.nz

limbuskhan

15 posts

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#397430 29-Oct-2010 16:32

Some fair points. But as to the poster saying that I should just change ISP (tough luck right?) if I don't like Telecom's broad band plans; that would be great if I could convince the bill payer to do so, like I've tried to do many times (wanting to change over to vodafone; 30gb + home line for $100...or double to 60gb for $30.50; plus $10 off if you live in the 'red zone'). But she, rightly so, wants to stick with Telecom because of the aforementioned toll call rates. And VOIP is too difficult because she's making calls to an old relative. So yes, I don't really have a right to complain, when my situation dictates that I need to be with Telecom, so Telecom best suits my needs.

I understand that I can't have my cake and eat it too, but can't consumers expect a good calling rate AND decent data caps? Or is that too much for kiwis to expect? After all, the onus is on the firm to respond to the demands of the customer, rather than the other way round. And when you take a look at what Vodafone is offering, its a damn sight better. I believe Vodafone also has cheaper rates than telecom for toll calls to the country im calling as long as I use their mobile, but alas, my house has no reception. I've heard that Vodafone only gets around 8% of the broadband fees paid by its broadband custromers, and the rest is fed directly back to Telecom. So clearly, where is the competition? The competition is also Telecom, because Telecom is making money off their competitors. So even if I swap over to Vodafone, its not that much of a hit to Telecom who pretty much controls the entire lines business (big assertion, but my two cents). I mean am I really demanding a lot when I say I just want more leeway in the form of greater data caps and better Telecom broadband plans. Their service is great really, but their plans could do with an update.