Skinny Elite for $98/mth?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Skinny Elite for $98/mth?

DGToast

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#230702 9-Mar-2018 12:18

Today I noticed that Skinny can do their Unlimited Fibre Ultra plan (which appears to be equivalent to BigPipe Elite) max speed for $98 per month. Assuming Skinny uses the same Spark network, is there any reason I should stay with BigPipe? It's a decent saving every month!

Apparently you have to use Skinny's Huawei HG659 router. I asked if I could flash my firmware or change settings myself but they said no.

Please let me know if I'm missing something, and sorry if this has been asked before - I did have a quick look before posting.

[Mod - Murph - Moved to correct subforum, as this is not related to BigPipe have also amended subject]

jonathan18

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#1971824 9-Mar-2018 13:20

Some earlier threads:

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=137&topicid=207835

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=137&topicid=207837

I’m kinda interested in switching over - also from BP - but the requirement to buy another of the same routers I already own and use, simply with a different firmware, is what’s putting me off...

DGToast

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1971829 9-Mar-2018 13:23

Thanks for bringing those threads to my attention!

For people on maximum fibre speeds, the difference is $129 per month or $98 per month. If you sign for a year, you save $372 because Skinny will send you their modem free. Seems like an obvious choice?

PhantomNVD

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#1971831 9-Mar-2018 13:30

Even worse when my MiLaw switched from spark to skinny on Fibre and was also told they needed to buy a new router. Switchover day came and went and she ‘forgot’ to change the router and the ‘old’ (same model) router happily chugged on without any interruption for over a month before she noticed the new router tucked under another pile of junk mail etc. and wondered why she should even bother changing it. Rang up Skinny to return it and see if she could get an account credit or refund and was told “no, you need that router to use our service”.... blatantly wrong!

jonathan18

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#1971851 9-Mar-2018 13:46

DGToast:
Thanks for bringing those threads to my attention!

For people on maximum fibre speeds, the difference is $129 per month or $98 per month. If you sign for a year, you save $372 because Skinny will send you their modem free. Seems like an obvious choice?

I only need 100/20, so the saving is only $72 a year - $79 vs $73 a month. Would have been a better deal if if shifted when it was $68 a month...

DarkShadow

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#1971863 9-Mar-2018 13:49

DGToast:

Assuming Skinny uses the same Spark network

There are 2 networks for Spark's retail brands:

One is for Spark

Another one for Bigpipe and Skinny.

michaelmurfy

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#1971879 9-Mar-2018 13:57

Just remember if you've got a static IP on BigPipe you can't get this on Skinny. You'll be on a CGNAT connection.

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jonathan18

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#1971882 9-Mar-2018 14:06

michaelmurfy:
Just remember if you've got a static IP on BigPipe you can't get this on Skinny. You'll be on a CGNAT connection.

I luckily have VOIP working with BP (vis the standard Huawei router) without a static IP; Skinny have just confirmed that if it works like this with BP I won’t have any issues with them. Not surprising, but I wanted to be sure.

Xplaya

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#1977019 15-Mar-2018 11:34

PhantomNVD: Even worse when my MiLaw switched from spark to skinny on Fibre and was also told they needed to buy a new router. Switchover day came and went and she ‘forgot’ to change the router and the ‘old’ (same model) router happily chugged on without any interruption for over a month before she noticed the new router tucked under another pile of junk mail etc. and wondered why she should even bother changing it. Rang up Skinny to return it and see if she could get an account credit or refund and was told “no, you need that router to use our service”.... blatantly wrong!

Wow!

I currently bridge my spark modem with my own router. I heard about skinny locking you into their own modems, and had me wondering what else do they lock? Can I even edit the settings to bridge?

Now looking at this comment it sounds like I can have the exact same setup and not change any modems? Wish Skinny could actually answer this because it sounds like the are straight lying?

michaelmurfy

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#1977024 15-Mar-2018 11:38

Xplaya:
Now looking at this comment it sounds like I can have the exact same setup and not change any modems? Wish Skinny could actually answer this because it sounds like the are straight lying?

Not straight out lying - customers are hell to deal with. Skinny like to ensure that everyone has one of their routers for support reasons. It is hell dealing with multiple router (eg - that router you bought from PB Tech to improve your WiFi). They lower costs by only supporting their own which is a wise move really.

They don't "lock" you into their own routers nor do they "lock" anything else. You're allowed to use whatever router you like however you won't get any support if it isn't one of their own ones.

DGToast

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1977026 15-Mar-2018 11:39

jonathan18:
michaelmurfy:

Just remember if you've got a static IP on BigPipe you can't get this on Skinny. You'll be on a CGNAT connection.

I luckily have VOIP working with BP (vis the standard Huawei router) without a static IP; Skinny have just confirmed that if it works like this with BP I won’t have any issues with them. Not surprising, but I wanted to be sure.

Same here, we have BP and the standard Huawei router working with 2Talk (spending $6.90 a month to keep our landline number). So far I don't see why we can't have the same working with Skinny.

DGToast

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Wannabe Geek

#1977031 15-Mar-2018 11:42

michaelmurfy:

Just remember if you've got a static IP on BigPipe you can't get this on Skinny. You'll be on a CGNAT connection.

Murph, appreciate your input and help. Assuming you are the moderator that moved this topic, this topic was specifically aimed at BigPipe users as I am a BigPipe user myself and I'm looking for an answer from either BigPipe themselves, or other BigPipe users because BigPipe's pricing just no longer makes sense now that Skinny offers a comparable product.

You've pointed out that Skinny can't offer static IP and that's great advice. However I don't think you should have moved this to the Skinny forum because no one using BigPipe will ever see this topic now.

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michaelmurfy

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#1977271 15-Mar-2018 16:39

@DGToast You're talking about Skinny's plans (and leaving BigPipe) therefore this post belongs in Skinny's subforum, not BigPipe. Also you're incorrect - Many people on BigPipe will see this still. My initial impressions were that BigPipe lowered their prices to $98/mo for the Gigabit plan and if I thought this then others would have also.

DGToast

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Wannabe Geek

#1977274 15-Mar-2018 16:45

michaelmurfy:

@DGToast You're talking about Skinny's plans (and leaving BigPipe) therefore this post belongs in Skinny's subforum, not BigPipe. Also you're incorrect - Many people on BigPipe will see this still. My initial impressions were that BigPipe lowered their prices to $98/mo for the Gigabit plan and if I thought this then others would have also.

I am a fan and a user of BigPipe. I do not have time to check any other forums but the BigPipe forum. My intention was to discuss with other BigPipe users if switching is a good idea, and to help other BigPipe users save money if the idea is indeed a good one. Nevertheless I'll stop here as I've already voiced my opinion on this side topic.

My only concern with Skinny now is whether their speeds / bandwidth are as good as BigPipe. If I do switch I'll try and report back... it's a pity this is no longer in the BigPipe forum for other BigPipe users to see. I don't think people have time to check every other ISPs forums if they are a BigPipe user. I certainly don't!

michaelmurfy

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#1977278 15-Mar-2018 17:00

@DGToast The mods decisions are final. We don't allow these sorts of posts in other ISP's subforums (about switching to another ISP) so I am not going to allow this one either even if they're technically the same network. End of story.

Also Skinny Fixed Broadband share the exact same network as BigPipe with some features removed. Your speeds etc will remain the same. Only difference is no public IP address.

DGToast

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Wannabe Geek

#1977279 15-Mar-2018 17:02

OK thank you. Your last comment was very helpful too!