Spark prepaid $19 per month vs Vodafone Prepay Carry Over 19

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frednz

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#165849 22-Feb-2015 20:33

I see that Vodafone now has a "Prepay Carry Over 19" plan which gives you 500mb of data on 3G and 4G that carries over each month. In addition it has 100 mins calling to NZ and OZ that carries over.

Does anyone know whether Spark plans to match these terms in the near future? I have been on the Spark $19 per month plan for quite a while and would have often benefited considerably if my unused data and calls could have been carried over.

I am seriously thinking of switching over to the Vodafone prepay carry over 19 plan, so I would appreciate any thoughts you may have on this issue.

Thanks
Fred

AidanS

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#1244405 22-Feb-2015 20:36

I would say that eventually Spark would match their plans for the most part, however I doubt anyone one here - even if they do know - will be able to say anything. Also it may take a while as I know Spark are focussing more on their "added benefits" to their services such as socialiser, spotify, "Spark Thanks", etc.

IMO, if their "added benefits" aren't important to you then making the switch might be worthwhile.

jonb

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#1244407 22-Feb-2015 20:39

Consider switching to Skinny, their $16 dollar plan has carry over data and is also on Spark network so same handset compatibility and reception.

frednz

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#1244409 22-Feb-2015 20:46

AidanS: I would say that eventually Spark would match their plans for the most part, however I doubt anyone one here - even if they do know - will be able to say anything. Also it may take a while as I know Spark are focussing more on their "added benefits" to their services such as socialiser, spotify, "Spark Thanks", etc.

IMO, if their "added benefits" aren't important to you then making the switch might be worthwhile.

Thanks for your prompt reply. I guess you also need to compare the extras that Vodafone offer, such as 250mb of data free to use every Friday until 24 April 2015 (but this additional free 250mb doesn't carry over).

I like the Spark free daily 1GB of data that you can get if you are (very) close to a Spark "telephone box" that provides internet data. But even this incentive, to me, doesn't match the benefits of carry over of unused data and calls.

Regards
Fred

frednz

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#1244412 22-Feb-2015 20:57

jonb: Consider switching to Skinny, their $16 dollar plan has carry over data and is also on Spark network so same handset compatibility and reception.

Thanks, that's not a bad deal, so why wouldn't Spark match Skinny considering they both use the same network? What are the advantages of staying with Spark vs Skinny?

Incidentally, I have found that the mobile reception from Spark is usually a bit better than Vodafone in some country areas, such as Lake Ferry in the southern Wairarapa.

However, I was recently in a country area near Wanganui and Spark reception just occasionally drifted in, whereas people using Vodafone got a workable continuous signal.

So, although I always thought that Spark had the best coverage, I'm not so sure now.

Regards
Fred

sonyxperiageek

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#1244436 22-Feb-2015 21:03

Saw on a "sponsored" Facebook post by Spark just now that said they would be updating their mobile plans from next week..

IMO 2 Degrees are sort of "taking the lead" in the NZ telco industry for a while now!

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frednz

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#1244440 22-Feb-2015 21:10

sonyxperiageek: Saw on a "sponsored" Facebook post by Spark just now that said they would be updating their mobile plans from next week..

IMO 2 Degrees are sort of "taking the lead" in the NZ telco industry for a while now!

Thanks, that's interesting. I saw this on Facebook tonight from Spark:

"Lots of talk about mobile plans this week. We’re really proud of ours. With things like free WiFi, free Spotify Premium, Socialiser, and 4G in more places - yup, we’ve been reinventing plans since ages ago… and there’s much more to come next week."

I think that carry over data and calls are really essential now, so I hope Spark agrees soon!

Cheers
Fred

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sonyxperiageek

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#1244441 22-Feb-2015 21:13

Yep, that's the post I saw!

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jeffnz

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#1244444 22-Feb-2015 21:15

I'm happy staying with spark even if I pay a little more to get the extra's as I hardly use my minutes or data per month. I couldn't be bothered swapping telco's every time a perceived better deal comes up.

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frednz

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#1244447 22-Feb-2015 21:25

jeffnz: I'm happy staying with spark even if I pay a little more to get the extra's as I hardly use my minutes or data per month. I couldn't be bothered swapping telco's every time a perceived better deal comes up.

Yes, I can understand that. However, I think carry-over data / calls is a really major benefit and in my case, would probably be worth the switch to get.

Regards
Fred

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#1244460 22-Feb-2015 22:07

i'd go skinny if i were u. same thing, cheaper prices.

sonyxperiageek

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#1245073 23-Feb-2015 18:29

Skinny is almost the same with everyone else apart from its $16 value pack.

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1245077 23-Feb-2015 18:41

frednz:
jonb: Consider switching to Skinny, their $16 dollar plan has carry over data and is also on Spark network so same handset compatibility and reception.

Thanks, that's not a bad deal, so why wouldn't Spark match Skinny considering they both use the same network?

Skinny is part of Spark Ventures. It's beneficial to offer two slightly different products targeted towards different market segments.

frednz

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#1245141 23-Feb-2015 20:39

SirHumphreyAppleby:
frednz:
jonb: Consider switching to Skinny, their $16 dollar plan has carry over data and is also on Spark network so same handset compatibility and reception.

Thanks, that's not a bad deal, so why wouldn't Spark match Skinny considering they both use the same network?

Skinny is part of Spark Ventures. It's beneficial to offer two slightly different products targeted towards different market segments.

Thanks, that's interesting but I'm not sure that Spark would really benefit a huge amount from such an arrangement?

Of course, there are conditions about carrying over data, such as these specified by 2 Degrees:

Our Carryover Combo is a great option for those who use a bit of everything as it comes with Carryover Minutes and Carryover Data. Any unused Minutes and Data at the end of each month will carry over to the next month and last for up to a year – as long as you have an active Carryover Combo. Any Carryover Minutes and Carryover Data (if any) from the previous month will always be used before new minutes and data allocated under your Carryover Combo.

I think similar conditions have been imposed by all companies offering carryover minutes / data?

So, you have to keep paying your $19 (or other amount) every month to avoid the carryover minutes / data being cancelled.

The 12-month time limit on using carryover data is also interesting, I wonder how many users would know when carryover minutes or data are about to be cancelled? Do the Telcos give you advance warning of this?

Regards
Fred

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#1245148 23-Feb-2015 20:46

frednz: 12-month time limit on using carry over data is also interesting, I wonder how many users would know when carryover minutes or data are about to be cancelled? Do the Telcos give you advance warning of this?

Can't comment on other providers, but Skinny gives you a breakdown via the Website...

100 Rollover Minute will expire on Sunday 21 February 2016 at 15:28
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Friday 22 January 2016 at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Wednesday 23 December at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Monday 23 November at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Saturday 24 October at 15:28 
131 Rollover Minute will expire on Thursday 24 September at 14:28

Same for data, but rollover data was only introduced this month, there isn't much to show.

frednz

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#1245177 23-Feb-2015 20:57

SirHumphreyAppleby:
frednz: 12-month time limit on using carry over data is also interesting, I wonder how many users would know when carryover minutes or data are about to be cancelled? Do the Telcos give you advance warning of this?

Can't comment on other providers, but Skinny gives you a breakdown via the Website...
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Sunday 21 February 2016 at 15:28
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Friday 22 January 2016 at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Wednesday 23 December at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Monday 23 November at 15:28 
100 Rollover Minute will expire on Saturday 24 October at 15:28 
131 Rollover Minute will expire on Thursday 24 September at 14:28
Same for data, but rollover data was only introduced this month, there isn't much to show.

Thanks Sir Humphrey, I hope Vodafone does the same! But what an effort to program all this, roll on the days of unlimited data and calls for $19 per month!

Regards
Fred