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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meow
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#1857697 3-Sep-2017 18:53

DjShadow:

Dial111: Hmm was hoping Spark could match 2D and skinny with the 10gb p/m in the $50-$55 bracket... looks like it's off to 2D I go.

I wouldn't jump yet, the past tells us when 1 telco jumps the rest jump soon after (as much as they deny it)

If you want to join the race to the bottom then Skinny Direct is another good option since it is on Sparks network (2degrees can be terrible in some places coverage wise). Gotta remember also you're getting quite a bit of value on Spark with Spotify, Lightbox, Free WiFi etc too.

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Riggleby

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#1857723 3-Sep-2017 20:27

DjShadow:

Dial111: Hmm was hoping Spark could match 2D and skinny with the 10gb p/m in the $50-$55 bracket... looks like it's off to 2D I go.

I wouldn't jump yet, the past tells us when 1 telco jumps the rest jump soon after (as much as they deny it)

I doubt Spark will make any major moves, mainly because the high volume data plans are reserved for their 24-month contracts. Increasing the data on their open term plans would effectively kill those off for good - they're only tempting to customers because of both the phone subsidy and the data allocation. The subsidy on it's own wouldn't make them worth it.

I suspect the move on the unlimited pricing is their reaction to the 2degrees plans and that nothing else is coming. If they could deploy the Skinny reaction as quick as they did, then there is no reason they would drag their heels with the Spark side of things.

NonprayingMantis

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#1857729 3-Sep-2017 20:46

I'm on a spark corporate business plan that gets me around 10GB for around $100.

I hope my procurements team see this plan and get us a better deal.
Seems crazy that a large corporate wth bulk buyi power pays so much more than an individual consumer.

tripp

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#1858846 5-Sep-2017 12:12

Just sitting here waiting to hear what is going to happen next...... lol

stinger

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#1858870 5-Sep-2017 12:34

tripp:

Just sitting here waiting to hear what is going to happen next...... lol

Two Degrees announced a new plan. $70 per month gets you unlimited calls/txt to NZ/Aus, and 25GB, and you can tether and use a hot spot. Usual call/txt restrictions still apply.

[edit: The two degrees plan also allows you to share that data as part of the share plan, and unused data carries over from month to month.]

tripp

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#1858883 5-Sep-2017 12:43

stinger:

tripp:

Just sitting here waiting to hear what is going to happen next...... lol

Two Degrees announced a new plan. $70 per month gets you unlimited calls/txt to NZ/Aus, and 25GB, and you can tether and use a hot spot. Usual call/txt restrictions still apply.

Yes did see that, waiting for sparks reply now

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Yabanize

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#1859169 5-Sep-2017 18:36

NonprayingMantis: I'm on a spark corporate business plan that gets me around 10GB for around $100.

I hope my procurements team see this plan and get us a better deal.
Seems crazy that a large corporate wth bulk buyi power pays so much more than an individual consumer.

Join a personal plan then? A business service is always going to cost more

tripper1000

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#1861478 9-Sep-2017 18:52

NonprayingMantis: I'm on a spark corporate business plan that gets me around 10GB for around $100.

I hope my procurements team see this plan and get us a better deal.
Seems crazy that a large corporate wth bulk buyi power pays so much more than an individual consumer.

Don't hold your breath unless you work for a small company. Corporate plans are strange. If they're anything like V.fone, they offer iPhones as part of the current package and the bosses are suckers for those.

My company gets iPhones for the bosses and Samsung xpress for the plebs - complete with a whooping 30 Mb of data. What is the point of a smart phone with 30Mb of data? The smarts don't get used so it's just an out-sized, fragile dumb phone with poor battery life and high repair costs.

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#1874586 29-Sep-2017 10:47

Just received:

Following the launch of Spark’s first unlimited mobile data plan, customers on the plan now have the option to use some of their unlimited data for hotspotting and tethering other devices. People on the Spark unlimited plan can now choose to buy a $10 Hotspot Extra for 10GB of their unlimited data.

Jason Paris, CEO of Spark Home Mobile and Business, explains, “When we launched our unlimited mobile plan, we were very clear that to be able to provide unlimited data at the cheapest price New Zealanders had ever seen, it had to be unlimited data just to your phone – not to all your devices, or to share with family and friends.

“The new plan has been really successful, with thousands of New Zealanders now taking advantage of unlimited mobile data. However, a few customers also wanted the option to share some of that data with other devices.

“So, we listened to that feedback – and today, we’re launching an Extra that gives customers on the unlimited plan the option to pay $10 to use 10GB of their unlimited allowance for tethering or hotspotting.”

Tethering or Mobile Hotspots on Unlimited Data plan only enabled when a Hotspot Extra is purchased.
$10 Hotspot Extra lasts for 30 days from time of purchase, and is valid for up to 10GB of tethering and hotspotting.
Usual plan speeds apply.
Only 1 Hotspot Extra can be purchased in any 30 day period.
Hotspot Extra only available on Spark.
Spark plans to launch an additional $1 for 1GB Hotspot Extra in a few weeks’ time.

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corksta

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#1874587 29-Sep-2017 10:52

Am I just being ungrateful or should there not even be a charge in the first place considering we're already paying for the plan? Why not just slap a limit on and leave it at that? This sounds like a money grab.

kryptonjohn

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#1874594 29-Sep-2017 11:00

I think Spark still don't get it. I can understand that this thing would completely break if folks run hotspots and let all and sundry feed off them. However there's a reasonable hotspot use of one connected device for telecommuters. If they could allow that I think it would make a lot of people happy and remove a restriction that to me, ruins their package. This 10Gb bandaid is overpriced and of no interest to me. Their competitors have once again stolen a march on them.

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johny99

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#1874615 29-Sep-2017 11:19

@Jasonparis is this MAC address based? i.e. if the sim is in a hot spot so to speak for the first 10Gb to be shared, will the remaining 12Gb of data only be able to be used primarily by the hotspots MAC address?

hio77

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#1874620 29-Sep-2017 11:28

johny99:

@Jasonparis is this MAC address based? i.e. if the sim is in a hot spot so to speak for the first 10Gb to be shared, will the remaining 12Gb of data only be able to be used primarily by the hotspots MAC address?

Won't be MAC based.

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l43a2

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#1874621 29-Sep-2017 11:32

corksta: Am I just being ungrateful or should there not even be a charge in the first place considering we're already paying for the plan? Why not just slap a limit on and leave it at that? This sounds like a money grab.

its not a money grab, its really to protect network integrity and keep it fast and stable for everyone, last thing spark wants is overloaded towers from people streaming,torrenting all day as they are using the mobile plan to replace an ADSL,DSL connection, this has happened to a ton of providers overseas resulting in removing these plans and restricting further.

corksta

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#1874681 29-Sep-2017 13:09

l43a2:
corksta: Am I just being ungrateful or should there not even be a charge in the first place considering we're already paying for the plan? Why not just slap a limit on and leave it at that? This sounds like a money grab.

its not a money grab, its really to protect network integrity and keep it fast and stable for everyone, last thing spark wants is overloaded towers from people streaming,torrenting all day as they are using the mobile plan to replace an ADSL,DSL connection, this has happened to a ton of providers overseas resulting in removing these plans and restricting further.

I completely understand and agree. But why $10 for that, what's the cost involved to Spark? Fundamentally the plan is still the same so it still can't be used to replace a normal broadband connection, it's just that 10GB can be used to tether, so why is there now a cost involved to do that? That's what I'm not understanding and it just seems like people are having to pay for that privilege.

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