Spark slashes unlimited mobile data to $79.95

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark slashes unlimited mobile data to $79.95

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#1856497 1-Sep-2017 11:31

My notebook has a 4g card slot.

I can remove the sim from my phone and insert directly into my notebook. I wouldn't be tethering as such.

Any rules against doing that?

Might even be worthwhile buying an ipad with a sim slot in that case.

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#1856498 1-Sep-2017 11:33

jmosen:

So tethering isn't actually disabled? I've been on plans with local US carriers on my iPhone where personal hotspot simply disappears. So Apple clearly gives a carrier the ability to turn it off. Have Spark done this?

That's applied by the Carrier Settings profile that gets applied to the iPhone. So yeah that's one way it could be done here, but only applies to iPhones...

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#1856501 1-Sep-2017 11:35

surfisup1000:

My notebook has a 4g card slot.

I can remove the sim from my phone and insert directly into my notebook. I wouldn't be tethering as such.

Any rules against doing that?

Might even be worthwhile buying an ipad with a sim slot in that case.

Yes you can't do that. It is in their T&C's that it can only be used in mobile phones.

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#1856502 1-Sep-2017 11:37

wellygary:

Also No Tablets :(

from using skinny data binge which im sure is using the same technology as spark unlimited i managed to tether from my android phone too a tablet fine.

but in saying that it may not work on the spark side

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#1856503 1-Sep-2017 11:37

<shrug>

What noroad said was clearly true though.Lots of people, not just him, rely on tethering. That doesn't mean they're running a hotspot with the whole neighbourhood eating data off it.

Interesting comparison here (with AT&T imposing the same 22Gb limit in 2015):

http://fortune.com/2015/09/17/cellphone-unlimited-data/

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#1856507 1-Sep-2017 11:44

Noted this wording in the T&C:

What does Unlimited Data mean?

With the Spark Unlimited mobile plan, you will receive Unlimited Talk (NZ & AUS), Unlimited Text (NZ & AUS) and unlimited Data (NZ only) for your mobile. Unlimited NZ data means you can browse the Web, stream content, upload, download and play games. While there are no caps on how much data you use, after 22GB of data usage, Spark will reduce the maximum speed for the remainder of the billing cycle. Tethering and mobile hotspot use is prohibited and unlimited data is for use on mobile devices only.

"Unlimited Date (NZ only)" - huh? So data to non NZ is limited? If so to what limit?

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tripp

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#1856510 1-Sep-2017 11:48

kryptonjohn:

Noted this wording in the T&C:

What does Unlimited Data mean?

With the Spark Unlimited mobile plan, you will receive Unlimited Talk (NZ & AUS), Unlimited Text (NZ & AUS) and unlimited Data (NZ only) for your mobile. Unlimited NZ data means you can browse the Web, stream content, upload, download and play games. While there are no caps on how much data you use, after 22GB of data usage, Spark will reduce the maximum speed for the remainder of the billing cycle. Tethering and mobile hotspot use is prohibited and unlimited data is for use on mobile devices only.

"Unlimited Date (NZ only)" - huh? So data to non NZ is limited? If so to what limit?

No, that means you don't get unlimited data when you roaming overseas etc. So you can use any data you like as long as you are in NZ

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#1856511 1-Sep-2017 11:48

For me, the drop in price is great, The plan sits in the same place for me as it did before except its got exceptionally better value now..

The terms of tethering is there to avoid it being used as a replacement for say, WBB.

I'm not aware of any cases of slowdowns or complete cutoffs for tethering

* This is not to say it hasn't happened simply that i have not been made aware of it at all.

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#1856603 1-Sep-2017 13:43

michaelmurfy: Skinny Direct also cut their unlimited plan to $79/mo. People will however complain about the little things still.

What is interesting to note is what $0.99 extra per month with Spark gets you over Skinny Direct:

Unlimited calls to Australia
Unlimited text messages to Australia
Spotify Premium
Lightbox
1 GB WiFi per day in Spark WiFi zones around NZ

Kind of makes the Skinny Direct plan pointless unless they rethink the price on it.

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#1856611 1-Sep-2017 13:55

unowho08:

michaelmurfy: Skinny Direct also cut their unlimited plan to $79/mo. People will however complain about the little things still.

What is interesting to note is what $0.99 extra per month with Spark gets you over Skinny Direct:

Unlimited calls to Australia
Unlimited text messages to Australia
Spotify Premium
Lightbox
1 GB WiFi per day in Spark WiFi zones around NZ
Kind of makes the Skinny Direct plan pointless unless they rethink the price on it.

I can't be bothered signing up to a real plan - Skinny Direct is great for me as I can adjust it without phoning anyone on my own terms. There is a bunch of people the same as me - may be travelling NZ for example and need it only for a month, this way they can (and can switch to a smaller plan) with just an app. But otherwise I agree - you're getting more value on Spark.

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#1856617 1-Sep-2017 14:07

Is all tethering excluded, or just data tethering? For example, can I tether to my car audio device, and my bluetooth headphones and speakers? I'm sure it is mention somewhere in their T&Cs, but isn't in the 'Key info' section.

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#1856618 1-Sep-2017 14:12

stinger:

Is all tethering excluded, or just data tethering? For example, can I tether to my car audio device, and my bluetooth headphones and speakers? I'm sure it is mention somewhere in their T&Cs, but isn't in the 'Key info' section.

The way I read it as you can't tether a device that is going to pull Internet via the phone. If you are just pairing your phone to the cat stereo for hands free then that is fine.

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#1856619 1-Sep-2017 14:12

Jason Paris from Spark, CEO Home, Mobile and Business has said on twitter that he's going to look into whether to allow limited tethering.

DjShadow

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#1856620 1-Sep-2017 14:18

I think he has to as the next plan back that allows Sharing and Tethering only has a 4 gig limit. If anyone wanted more data they would have to consider VF or 2D

stinger

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#1856623 1-Sep-2017 14:24

DjShadow:

If you are just pairing your phone to the cat stereo for hands free then that is fine.

Cat stereo sounds like an interesting device. Where can I buy one? :P

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