Spark launches satellite service

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark launches satellite service

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#3477150 2-Apr-2026 11:31

Pretty low-key launch compared to One's near 2 year PR blitz prior to launch (I guess it's no longer a unique offering).

No doubt spark will hammer the launch of their SA network when it comes about.....

Aucklandjafa

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#3477151 2-Apr-2026 11:34

scottjpalmer: Much bigger list of eligible devices for data on Spark than One NZ, let's see how fast that changes

Plan's too. Is included in Spark's $75 plan where One's $73 plan is an additional $20

gzt

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#3477152 2-Apr-2026 11:37

PolicyGuy: Definitely being marketed as a "premium" offering to users of premium-priced handsets

Samsung A06 is supported. NZD$150-$200. Age not price I think.

coffeebaron

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#3477166 2-Apr-2026 12:17

I wonder if 2degrees will follow suit soon too?

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boosacnoodle

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#3477170 2-Apr-2026 12:33

Aucklandjafa:

Plan's too. Is included in Spark's $75 plan where One's $73 plan is an additional $20

Even One NZ's cheapest pay monthly $40 / 3GB plan includes Satellite - but it's SMS only (until you get to the One plan, where data is included). Spark doesn't appear to have any distinction - you have Data and SMS whether you want it or not.

saf

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#3477173 2-Apr-2026 12:51

coffeebaron:

I wonder if 2degrees will follow suit soon too?

Great talk at NZNOG about this very topic. Definitely worth a watch!

https://www.youtube.com/live/zHCJov9WM-c?si=KtpbArW4CgcO0mEg&t=7235

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#3477174 2-Apr-2026 12:58

Why is everyone so excited for Satellite? What's the use case?

Even the Vodafone Ad on TV just shows an old guy on a camping trip - if you've need Sat connectivity for that it's been available for ~20 years. (Sure, needed custom hardware and not cheap. But for safety it's been there for years) - are we all rural campers?

If there was a big disaster and all the towers went out, space isn't going to provide for thousands of people all calling 111 (is it?)

For me I can imagine it might be useful on the Napier Taupo road in between patches of terrestrial coverage, but I mean I'd be equally excited (that is, I'm not) if they just put up a celltower in those places.

I know I am being very old and grumpy, but what's the hype?

(And yes, I have a phone that supports it. Still unfazed)

coffeebaron

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#3477177 2-Apr-2026 13:08

For those who work rural, it's been a game changer for health n safety and other efficeiencies.

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muppet

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#3477178 2-Apr-2026 13:18

coffeebaron:

For those who work rural, it's been a game changer for health n safety and other efficeiencies.

Yea OK that makes sense - if you work or travel to places on a regular basis where you have no coverage, Sat makes perfect sense. It's odd the marketing hasn't focused on this.

andyb

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Spark NZ

#3477182 2-Apr-2026 13:34

muppet:

Why is everyone so excited for Satellite? What's the use case?

Even the Vodafone Ad on TV just shows an old guy on a camping trip - if you've need Sat connectivity for that it's been available for ~20 years. (Sure, needed custom hardware and not cheap. But for safety it's been there for years) - are we all rural campers?

If there was a big disaster and all the towers went out, space isn't going to provide for thousands of people all calling 111 (is it?)

For me I can imagine it might be useful on the Napier Taupo road in between patches of terrestrial coverage, but I mean I'd be equally excited (that is, I'm not) if they just put up a celltower in those places.

I know I am being very old and grumpy, but what's the hype?

(And yes, I have a phone that supports it. Still unfazed)

I would much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it...peace of mind.

andyb

muppet

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#3477183 2-Apr-2026 13:36

andyb:

I would much rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it...peace of mind.

An interesting take - so are you paying the extra $$ for it? In that regard I guess it's a bit like insurance.

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andyb

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#3477184 2-Apr-2026 13:42

muppet:

An interesting take - so are you paying the extra $$ for it? In that regard I guess it's a bit like insurance.

If my plan didn't include it yes, or i would look at upgrading my plan so its included.

andyb

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#3477197 2-Apr-2026 14:40

Also, I should note that I knew nothing about the service before launch, and I have had no input into it's design or scope - but I am personally impressed by the apps that are covered... Would be nice to have gmail as well, but that can chew through some data with attachments I guess.

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hikari

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#3477202 2-Apr-2026 15:35

Just got confirmation from customer support that our 2023ish business team up plans are not grandfathered in, annoying

The tradeoff being on the new $90 business plan, there's no free spotify but free unlimited AU roaming...

chris021

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#3477216 2-Apr-2026 16:27

Ok,

Soooo here has been my experience to date.

First up I found that my plan "$70 Business Endless 150GB" needed to be changed to "$72 Business Endless 150GB" which due to some grandfathering I did not know about meant i wouldn't get it... so a quick trip to the local Spark shop was better than sitting on hold.

10mins later change done...

At lunch (waited the 2+ hrs from plan change) I went for a drive and finally found no coverage. iPhone was quick to show "SAT" but then nothing... 5-10 mins later a txt from Spark:
FROM SPARK: You're now connected to Spark Satellite. Stay connected beyond mobile coverage.

Progress! Still nothing for another 10-15 mins (sounds like this is expected first time you connect)

Then bam magic. just worked.

All stated apps worked VERY well. Voice on supported apps was great. Video calling on WhatsApp also worked, bit choppy but way better than expected.

iMessage etc worked perfect.

All in all, works much better than I expected.

Worked ok with one bar. Worked great with 2. never found a 3rd bar.

device - iPhone 17 pro.

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