Spark slashes unlimited mobile data to $79.95

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jmosen

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Topic # 222857 1-Sep-2017 05:51

Newstalk ZB has just reported that Spark's unlimited data plan has been slashed to $79.95 a month.

If they've allowed for a few gigs of tethering, pretty damn attractive. And I guess attractive to mobile-only users even if not.

Great to see a new round of mobile data aggression going down.

Your move, Vodafone.

Ah, and here's the info on Spark's website. http://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/paymonthly.html

Speed reduced after 22GB, no hotspots or tethering.

Jonathan Mosen

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Reply # 1856214 1-Sep-2017 06:36

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Well I'm disappointed, this no hotspot thing is just a pain. I only hotspot once in a while but removing the option to do it is dumb.

If this is their answer to 2degrees $55 for 10 gigs then it's not a win from me.

jmosen

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Reply # 1856216 1-Sep-2017 06:39

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Yes, it's a bit of a dodgy definition of "unlimited" too. ComCom, start your engines.

Jonathan Mosen

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Reply # 1856220 1-Sep-2017 06:48

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jmosen: Yes, it's a bit of a dodgy definition of "unlimited" too. ComCom, start your engines.

it doesn't say unlimited high speed data so i dont see why it could be considered dodgy.

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tripp

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Reply # 1856222 1-Sep-2017 06:58

And you can't use it as a shared plan either :(

Coil

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Reply # 1856224 1-Sep-2017 07:03

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Unlimited but then its throttled after 22GB, Well that to me sounds limited.
It doesn't state the speeds it will be reduced to, so effectively you could still have access but at an extremely degraded speed. Probably to the tune of VF Broadband a few years ago, Dial up!

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Bung

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Reply # 1856225 1-Sep-2017 07:06

tripp: Well I'm disappointed, this no hotspot thing is just a pain. I only hotspot once in a while but removing the option to do it is dumb.

If this is their answer to 2degrees $55 for 10 gigs then it's not a win from me.

If it's not a txt or phone call I hotspot to my tablet all the time. Given the choice who wouldn't? Is cheaper mobile data the reason the wireless landline option I was considering at Foxton (only 4G 700 available) is no longer available?

surfisup1000

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Reply # 1856299 1-Sep-2017 08:02

I wouldn't mind a plan where speed was halved but the data cap doubled.

No tethering is a deal breaker to me as it removes something I use when on holiday. Tethering the laptop.

tripp

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Reply # 1856306 1-Sep-2017 08:15

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I would totally jump on it if it including it with their share plans and had a add-on to buy access to tethering/hotspot. Better yet have a hard limit on teething i.e. 1gig a month

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1856308 1-Sep-2017 08:22

How can the plan tell if it's using tethering? Can some sort of spoofing be used to hide the fact you are tethering?

This plan is pretty damn disappointing once you get past the headline and see the details. Bordering on a joke really, to say "Unlimited" when there are limitations on tethering and at 22Gb for high speed.

At what point does the tethering ban come in? Or are they taking it away altogether in which case what's the point of the plan - I can't see most people getting through 22Gb without using tethering (apart from maybe watching movies on a large screen tablet - but how many do that to the tune of 10's of gigs?)

[edit] from their web page:

How will you know if I’m tethering or hotspotting?

Spark reserves the right to monitor data usage and customer volumes, to ensure customers are complying with our terms of use. Service may be slowed, suspended, terminated, or restricted for: misuse, or interference with our network.

Usage and volume rather than packet content? Looks like they have no idea and just say it's prohibited?

alasta

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Reply # 1856319 1-Sep-2017 08:36

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I need occasional use of tethering and, between phone and tethered use, I would never use more than 8Gb. You'd think they would be able to offer something suitable for around $60-$70, but it seems like they are still have quite a pedestrian offering at that price point.

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1856320 1-Sep-2017 08:39

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

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Reply # 1856322 1-Sep-2017 08:41

tripp: Well I'm disappointed, this no hotspot thing is just a pain. I only hotspot once in a while but removing the option to do it is dumb.

If this is their answer to 2degrees $55 for 10 gigs then it's not a win from me.

In Asia unlimited mobile data is quite common. They generally allow hotspots but they throttle it so you can't stream video etc but still browse the web etc. I think this would be an acceptable compromise.

Amanon

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Reply # 1856415 1-Sep-2017 09:38

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

The little things are called "mobile phone screens". Even on a small 8" tablet the onscreen keyboard is bigger than my phone's total screen. Eyesight and finger size would make even 22GB an unlikely target. Paying $20 less for only 4GB +1bonus unrestricted doesn't feel like a bargain.