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tdgeek
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  #1638939 22-Sep-2016 19:05
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jmh:

 

I work for an organisation (Computers in Homes) on a contract basis that provides subsidised broadband ($40pm for 100GB pm for one year) for needy families.  There are other things on offer too.  It's run through schools.  We're finding that many need more because they have teenage children who are using it a lot. It's essential that kids have broadband at home, and many families can't afford it, so there is a real need for this service, but 30GB pm is nowhere near enough for a household that has multiple children, teens and perhaps lots of guests too.  Remember the housing crisis?  Some of these homes have high occupancy rates.

 

Good to see Spark doing this - I guess after a trial they may have to up the service to meet the needs of families.

 

 

But the issue is kids education not Netflix x 5




tdgeek
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  #1638943 22-Sep-2016 19:09
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mdf:

 

I think this is an awesome initiative. Heck, for $15 per month (or just $180 per year!), I'd be happy to pay on behalf of a needy family (tick a box on your bill maybe?).

 

I don't have a problem with limiting it to 30GB per month. It's clearly intended as a starter to bridge the have-have not digital divide, not to provide a full blown all-signing all-dancing service. At this price, Spark is clearly subsidising it (i.e. running it at a loss). A subsidy for education, news, e-commerce and keeping in contact with people is great; I'm not sure a subsidy for Netflix is really in the same boat.

 

 

You nailed it. Its not a Piratebay/Netflix option its to help those families that cannot afford BB. Its a pity that this type of option gets cast as 30GB aint enough.Right now, many lower economic families have zero GB. 


jmh

jmh
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  #1638945 22-Sep-2016 19:13
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tdgeek:

 

jmh:

 

I work for an organisation (Computers in Homes) on a contract basis that provides subsidised broadband ($40pm for 100GB pm for one year) for needy families.  There are other things on offer too.  It's run through schools.  We're finding that many need more because they have teenage children who are using it a lot. It's essential that kids have broadband at home, and many families can't afford it, so there is a real need for this service, but 30GB pm is nowhere near enough for a household that has multiple children, teens and perhaps lots of guests too.  Remember the housing crisis?  Some of these homes have high occupancy rates.

 

Good to see Spark doing this - I guess after a trial they may have to up the service to meet the needs of families.

 

 

But the issue is kids education not Netflix x 5

 

 

 

 

You got a house with 5 children and the adults have no idea how to use the computer.  The broadband runs out in week one because one of kids is hogging it all and the rest do without until next month. How do you monitor their usage to make sure every single person is using it for educational purposes only and only using 1/5 of their allowance when the parent doesn't even know how to switch on a computer.  As I say, when you actually work with these families you see a whole different perspective.  A good start, but needs work.




tdgeek
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  #1638946 22-Sep-2016 19:15
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jmh:

 

tdgeek:

 

jmh:

 

I work for an organisation (Computers in Homes) on a contract basis that provides subsidised broadband ($40pm for 100GB pm for one year) for needy families.  There are other things on offer too.  It's run through schools.  We're finding that many need more because they have teenage children who are using it a lot. It's essential that kids have broadband at home, and many families can't afford it, so there is a real need for this service, but 30GB pm is nowhere near enough for a household that has multiple children, teens and perhaps lots of guests too.  Remember the housing crisis?  Some of these homes have high occupancy rates.

 

Good to see Spark doing this - I guess after a trial they may have to up the service to meet the needs of families.

 

 

But the issue is kids education not Netflix x 5

 

 

 

 

You got a house with 5 children and the adults have no idea how to use the computer.  The broadband runs out in week one because one of kids is hogging it all and the rest do without until next month. How do you monitor their usage to make sure every single person is using it for educational purposes only and only using 1/5 of their allowance when the parent doesn't even know how to switch on a computer.  As I say, when you actually work with these families you see a whole different perspective.  A good start, but needs work.

 

 

Expectations and filtering?


cynnicallemon
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  #1638950 22-Sep-2016 19:21
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tdgeek:

 

cynnicallemon:

 

Little better than Skinny's 100GB for $52, albeit more flexible being in smaller data chunks/cost and with loan of the modem. Trouble is 3OGB might not last too long in a family with two or more kids.

 

 

$15 is a little better?? Man.

 

 

 

 

While I agree $15 per block is better than $52 it's almost equal in price per GB and this is where it will matter.


tdgeek
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  #1638952 22-Sep-2016 19:24
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cynnicallemon:

 

tdgeek:

 

cynnicallemon:

 

Little better than Skinny's 100GB for $52, albeit more flexible being in smaller data chunks/cost and with loan of the modem. Trouble is 3OGB might not last too long in a family with two or more kids.

 

 

$15 is a little better?? Man.

 

 

 

 

While I agree $15 per block is better than $52 it's almost equal in price per GB and this is where it will matter.

 

 

The target market cannot afford it. Unlimited is FAR FAR cheaper, but the target market cannot afford it. Take steps back, this is trying to get the poor and needy children an option

 

Its not about the "best price per GB in NZ"


cynnicallemon
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  #1638954 22-Sep-2016 19:30
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tdgeek:

 

 

 

The target market cannot afford it.

 

 

 

 

And again I agree and as I said prior, maybe there should be no cost involved at all.


 
 
 

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tdgeek
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  #1638956 22-Sep-2016 19:35
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cynnicallemon:

 

tdgeek:

 

 

 

The target market cannot afford it.

 

 

 

 

And again I agree and as I said prior, maybe there should be no cost involved at all.

 

 

At $15 its bound to be a loss scenario. A worthwhile charity. Depends where you want to draw the line. 50c a day.


cynnicallemon
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  #1638958 22-Sep-2016 19:41
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Some of these target families may be borrowing money each week to put food on the table or pay the bills, $15 could be $15 too much.

 

I think it would be better to offer those families the first 30GB free then $15 for each block.


jeffnz
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  #1638959 22-Sep-2016 19:44
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unbelievable that some here think business's should be giving away goods and services away for nothing. We have a company offering very cheap internet and all some can do is whinge about, amazing and we wonder why younger people have such an inflated sense of entitlement.

 

 

 

 

 

Good on you Spark 





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tdgeek
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  #1638960 22-Sep-2016 19:46
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Its a sad day. I'm sure many of us here are ok. Very ok. Comfortable, very comfortable.

 

Yet a company offers what is bound to be a loss maker as a contribution to those that are needy, and it results in criticism.

 

Lets go back to discussing the iPhone 7, Note 7... arghh


tdgeek
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  #1638961 22-Sep-2016 19:47
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jeffnz:

 

unbelievable that some here think business's should be giving away goods and services away for nothing. We have a company offering very cheap internet and all some can do is whinge about, amazing and we wonder why younger people have such an inflated sense of entitlement.

 

 

 

 

 

Good on you Spark 

 

 

Yep, agree. 


cynnicallemon
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  #1638965 22-Sep-2016 19:56
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tdgeek:

 

Yet a company offers what is bound to be a loss maker as a contribution to those that are needy, and it results in criticism.

 

 

 

 

How much of a loss maker will it be?

 

Can you validate that?

 

Don't get me wrong, I think Spark are good for pushing this but I think they could do better.


tdgeek
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  #1638970 22-Sep-2016 20:04
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cynnicallemon:

 

tdgeek:

 

Yet a company offers what is bound to be a loss maker as a contribution to those that are needy, and it results in criticism.

 

 

 

 

How much of a loss maker will it be?

 

Can you validate that?

 

Don't get me wrong, I think Spark are good for pushing this but I think they could do better.

 

 

Are you trolling?

 

$15 for BB. 30GB. How many webpages that? 15,000 based on the latest average of 2MB per webpage. Free 4G modem. Prepay. 

 

Take off SVOD, Torrents, and 30GB is plenty. Im sure these families would be vey grateful. Remember, its based around the kids. 


jeffnz
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  #1638973 22-Sep-2016 20:05
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cynnicallemon:

 

tdgeek:

 

Yet a company offers what is bound to be a loss maker as a contribution to those that are needy, and it results in criticism.

 

 

 

 

How much of a loss maker will it be?

 

Can you validate that?

 

Don't get me wrong, I think Spark are good for pushing this but I think they could do better.

 

 

 

 

really! and I think some families could be doing it better as well but seem to think everyone should pay for their family. Note I said "some" but I question why people struggling still have children they can't afford but I guess I'll get flamed for that.





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