Skinny launches 4G home Broadband

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Skinny launches 4G home Broadband

Yabanize

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#185667 1-Dec-2015 10:47

https://www.skinny.co.nz/broadband/ Basically it's 60gb for $55 a month using their modem

Really interesting thing is it's using 4g instead of DSL/Fibre

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1647 posts

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#1438397 1-Dec-2015 10:52

Same thing as Spark's rural wireless broadband, but for urban areas?

Looking forward to Vodafone's response.

Zeon

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#1438400 1-Dec-2015 10:56

Interesting timing - in time for summer holidays. Smart thinking!

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wellygary

8312 posts

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#1438401 1-Dec-2015 10:57

Its basically a modern version of what Woosh tried 10 years ago,
The biggest problem I can see is the expolsion of video streaming may make the data cap way to small,
+ they are pinging you the $199 for the modem

It will be interesting to see if there is a market niche they can make work...

tchart

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#1438407 1-Dec-2015 11:08

Nice, I would be tempted if it was 80-100GB of data, 60GB is a good start though :D

Hardware looks to be Huawei B315s from the YouTube video. Same as the rural wireless broadband.

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet-data/equipment/huawei/huawei-b315s-rural-wireless-broadband/

Does anyone know how fast Spark 4G is?

DarkShadow

1647 posts

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#1438409 1-Dec-2015 11:11

^ Can be faster than VDSL, depending on the situation.

danfaulknor

933 posts

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Prodigi

#1438411 1-Dec-2015 11:12

Anyone know if it will fall back to 3G if there is no 4G coverage? They keep mentioning 4G on the website

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Yabanize

2350 posts

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#1438412 1-Dec-2015 11:13

tchart: Nice, I would be tempted if it was 80-100GB of data, 60GB is a good start though :D

Hardware looks to be Huawei B315s from the YouTube video. Same as the rural wireless broadband.

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/internet-data/equipment/huawei/huawei-b315s-rural-wireless-broadband/

Does anyone know how fast Spark 4G is?

There are 10gb addons available for $20

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tchart

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#1438416 1-Dec-2015 11:21

Mmmmm now I'm really tempted. We are currently on unlimited Orcon fibre but moving to a non-fibre (new build) house early next year where we only have VDSL (apparently).

Also just to note that its not really "60gb for $55 a month" its actually $55 for 60GB which lasts 30 days. If you run out you can either repurchase another 60GB at $55 or top up another 10GB for $20. Now that is palatable.

Does anyone know if the Huawei B315s can be plugged into an external antenna? I would imagine the answer is yes given its used for rural as well.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1438417 1-Dec-2015 11:22

wellygary: Its basically a modern version of what Woosh tried 10 years ago,
The biggest problem I can see is the expolsion of video streaming may make the data cap way to small,
+ they are pinging you the $199 for the modem

It will be interesting to see if there is a market niche they can make work...

Nice move Skinny - Makes 2D 10GB for $99 (or whatever it is) look like absolute crud.

question:

does the data roll over if unused?
can I take the SIM out and use it in my phone/ipad?

jbard

1377 posts

Uber Geek

#1438418 1-Dec-2015 11:22

How are the data rates so cheap compared to normal 4G data:

Broadband base plan: $0.91/GB
Broadband addon: $2/GB

Standard data add on: $12.50/GB

Does it run off a SIM card? Can I just pull that out and use it in my phone?

Batman

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#1438419 1-Dec-2015 11:23

Amazing! Can I use my own modem like Huawei HG659?

knoydart

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#1438427 1-Dec-2015 11:24

jbard:

Does it run off a SIM card? Can I just pull that out and use it in my phone?

The sim appears to be locked to a cell site according to the FAQs...

"Can I move house and take my modem with me? Yep, you can take Skinny Broadband to your new place. Just check your new property in the Skinny Address Checker to see if it can get Skinny Broadband and if it can let us know you will be using your Skinny modem at a new address, then you're good to go! Just take your modem with you. If you try to use your Skinny modem at a new address without telling us we may disconnect it from our network."

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1438429 1-Dec-2015 11:27

jbard: How are the data rates so cheap compared to normal 4G data:

Broadband base plan: $0.91/GB
Broadband addon: $2/GB

Standard data add on: $12.50/GB

Does it run off a SIM card? Can I just pull that out and use it in my phone?

assuming it's somehow locked to a location and/or device, it means they can better plan the network i.e. if I buy this as a 'home' product, Skinny (well, Spark since it's the spark network) know exactly where that data will be used and so can plan the network accordingly.

for 'normal' mobile, it can be used anywhere, so more expensive to plan the network.

also, I would expect usage patterns for 'home' broadband are very different to 'mobile data' so it's likely this will mostly be using the network at a time when it isn't normally under as much load and in different places (a bit like selling 'off peak' capacity cheaper, but without the confusing part of trying to market "off-peak")

tchart

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#1438433 1-Dec-2015 11:37

Is there a limitation on service locations for this product? The Skinny address checker says negative to both addresses I put in but the Spark 4G coverage map shows good/fair coverage for both addresses.

deadlyllama

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#1438445 1-Dec-2015 11:43

NonprayingMantis:
Nice move Skinny - Makes 2D 10GB for $99 (or whatever it is) look like absolute crud.

For heavier users, yes. For light users, that 10GB lasts for 6 months - $16.50/mo.

My mum used to be on Vodafone Home Wireless + a 10GB 2degrees pack. She's now dropped the landline and on a 2degrees carryover $19 value pack (upsized to 1GB because she's had one for a while), plus a $10 international calling pack, and that's her entire telecomms spend for the month: $29.

Skinny are clearly trying to not upset the applecart too much. If they'd offered, say, 10 or 20GB for $30 or $40/mo, that would seriously disrupt the low user fixed broadband market.

(edit) Also, you have to pay $199 for a modem that's only useful for the skinny connection, as opposed to using a cellphone or ADSL modem you already have. If you amortise that over 24 months you're at Flip's pricepoint, and Flip bundles a landline too.

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