New Spark broadband offerings

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9 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2798756 21-Oct-2021 13:02

wratterus:

Spark use the ONT for phone, not the router. The Ultra Hub is pretty locked down. Not sure if you can change the WAN settings or not.

Thanks heaps. Would never have thought of plugging the phone in to the ONT. It actually even works :-). Saved a call to Spark Helpdesk.

josephhinvest

1543 posts

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#2798810 21-Oct-2021 14:23

steve98: Just FYI, if you’re switching from Unplan to one of the new plans, prepare for some bill shock. My normal monthly bill was $104 and after switching to the new fibre max plan I got a bill for $245. This is because Unplan was charged in arrears, whereas the new plan is billed in advance. This article explains it but just a heads-up: https://www.spark.co.nz/unplanbillchanges/?utm_source=spark&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=sparkbill

Same here but $289. But now paid up in advance thru 10 November.

NorthernZone

69 posts

Master Geek

#2799766 23-Oct-2021 08:53

At the other end of the range of plans: I give basic support to a 95yo friend with very light usage (av 20Gb/month). I was horrified to learn he was paying over $100/month – it was a prehistoric ADSL plan capped at 60Gb. For him (without fibre) the new Basic Wireless @ $45 (capped at 40Gb inc landline) seems a no-brainer: far lower cost and 4G presumably faster than ADSL. He has a Spark Smart modem but apparently needs something else?? Is that for landline connection?

cbrpilot

955 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Spark NZ

#2801302 26-Oct-2021 12:44

@NorthernZone if your friend goes with the Wireless plan they will need a different router as the Spark Smartmodem does not have integrated 4G modem. The Spark Smartmodem 2 does.

The phone service with the Wireless plans also makes use of Spark's 4G network. The Smartmodem 2 has an ATA port for that phone service. From the little I know (sorry not an expert on these) I believe you have the option of either plugging a phone directly into the ATA port (may pay to ask some questions on cabling here as it's not an RJ11 plug in the modem), or integrating the ATA port with your house wiring (likely at an additional cost).

My views are my own, and may not necessarily represent those of my employer.

NorthernZone

69 posts

Master Geek

#2801317 26-Oct-2021 12:47

cbrpilot:

@NorthernZone if your friend goes with the Wireless plan they will need a different router as the Spark Smartmodem does not have integrated 4G modem. The Spark Smartmodem 2 does.

The phone service with the Wireless plans also makes use of Spark's 4G network. The Smartmodem 2 has an ATA port for that phone service. From the little I know (sorry not an expert on these) I believe you have the option of either plugging a phone directly into the ATA port (may pay to ask some questions on cabling here as it's not an RJ11 plug in the modem), or integrating the ATA port with your house wiring (likely at an additional cost).

Many thanks!!

old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#2801358 26-Oct-2021 13:42

Mine switched over yesterday and everything came across including secondary number so all's good. I guess bill shock will be end of November as I just got the October one which is normal.

Regards,

Old3eyes

Shindig

1585 posts

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#2801389 26-Oct-2021 14:27

Anyone using a Mikrotik router on Spark? And could assist with the change from BigPipe config over to Spark.

Connection for me should hopefully be Thursday.

The little things make the biggest difference.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Shindig

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#2803226 29-Oct-2021 08:01

Switched over on Thursday.

Rebuilt router and getting solid speeds.

Activated netflix and opted for the $5 extra for 4k.

Result!

The little things make the biggest difference.

Reanalyse

381 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2812675 14-Nov-2021 16:10

Hi Folks- can I ask for help.

I am trying to use the new Spark Smart Modem not as a modem but as a secondary router and wireless access point. Eventually will make it the primary but need to keep the working from home environment stable for now.

Connecting one lan output from my trusty H659B to the "Fibre" (WAN ??) input of the Spark Smart Modem. I can see the modem (after moving the default of the port address of the H659B to allow me to access both devices and plugging in directly to a Smart Moden Lan connection. Any ideas on how to force the Smart Modem to act as a dumber device ?

Many Thanks

Linux

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Lifetime subscriber

#2812679 14-Nov-2021 16:33

@Reanalyse Really not related to this thread I would start a new one

quickymart

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#2812837 14-Nov-2021 21:12

My most recent invoice was well over $200 too, a bit more than I was expecting, but when I figured it out it seemed to add up correctly.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#2820360 27-Nov-2021 22:27

I'm currently on fibre Unplan and would be interested in switching to the Essential Fibre 300 Mbps plan, but the Spark website insists I'm on a wireless plan and is only offering me wireless options. Anyone else experiencing the same issue?

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Talkiet

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#2820363 27-Nov-2021 22:30

Can you give us a link where you can't find the fibre? Have you hit the (admittedly small) button on the right to scroll over to see more plans?

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#2820367 27-Nov-2021 22:42

@talkiet I can see all the fibre options on that page by hitting the wee arrow to scroll right, but when I click "check your address" button and then "change my plan" it says my current broadband type is wireless 4G and only offers me wireless options to change to.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Wara

34 posts

Geek

#2820466 28-Nov-2021 11:04

Can you scroll down the page?

The "Your broadband type" heading seems to mean "what would you like your new type to be".

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