Spark leaving BigPipe to die off?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Spark leaving BigPipe to die off?

grover1

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#291887 11-Dec-2021 16:17

I've been with Bigpipe for a while on their "expert" plan, which had the features I wanted when I signed up (good upload speed of 100Mbs and not a crazy price for a static IP address).

Since Chorus (and TFF/Enable) has now upped the base plan speed to 300/100Mbs, there is no point in being on BP's expert plan.

So, I have been trying to switch for over 2 weeks from the expert to starter plan: While BP has done the plan change the network speed hasn't increased (still measuring 100/100Mbs directly connected to the ONT and setting up a PPPoE connection).

OK so TFF hasn't done the change (not BP issue) BUT I need BP to communicate to TFF that there is an issue with the speed profile change. BipePipe support is now completely ghosting me and not replying to any follow-up enquires on the issue.

Also, BipePipe is actively trying to sell the now obsolete Expert Plan, listed as the banner item at the top of their webpage - So my question to the community is Spark just leaving BipPipe (and its customer base) to die off and leave BP?

Spark is even undercutting BP with the Fibre Max plan which is cheaper and includes Netflix!

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#2830450 11-Dec-2021 17:18

I fully expect Bigpipe to be closed down or 'merged' with Skinny at some point. Question is - will this be before or after Spark Sport (although I expect that the licensing would be sold off to Sky)?

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DjShadow

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#2830453 11-Dec-2021 17:25

What is the difference between Starter and Expert apart from $10/month?

cokemaster

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#2830457 11-Dec-2021 17:37

Purple makes the bits run faster

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quickymart

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#2830461 11-Dec-2021 17:41

Discussed here as well: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=288967 but it might be early 2022.

I worked there in late 2016, and things have changed a lot since then.

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#2830483 11-Dec-2021 18:14

cokemaster: Purple makes the bits run faster

Just the zeroes, not the ones…

gbwelly

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#2830534 12-Dec-2021 08:29

DjShadow:

What is the difference between Starter and Expert apart from $10/month?

I asked, and they told me in the new year the 300/100 speed change will be applied, with an email to inform us, along with being moved to Starter, the Expert plan being retired.

I am still happy with the service, the move to $79 brings the price more in line with the competition, and the online chat is still far superior to calling a service desk in my experience. Hope it doesn't get discontinued. The one off fee for static IP address has been marvellous.

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grover1

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#2830535 12-Dec-2021 08:31

quickymart:

Discussed here as well: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=288967 but it might be early 2022.

I worked there in late 2016, and things have changed a lot since then.

I guess others have noticed as well. BigPipe looks like a hangover from the Simon Moutter days of Spark of throwing products/services out to the market to see what sticks. Thinking of Lightbox,Bigpipe,Mattr,Spark Digital,Skinny,Qrious,Spark Sport.

So at some stage, I expect they'll be shut down, as there seem to have lost the USP of IPv6 support, web hosting friendly, and providing just an internet connection.

grover1

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#2831075 13-Dec-2021 01:38

Well it looks like they are rolling into Skinny now as my latest Bill list that I'm on SkinnyBB

BUT the $78 is excluding GST which they have added on... Not happy.

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#2831145 13-Dec-2021 08:16

Time to shop around maybe?

cokemaster

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#2831174 13-Dec-2021 08:51

@grover1 - I would seriously push back on that. The website screenshots above do not state excluding GSt, so the assumption is that they’re inclusive of GST.

If you were previously charged $78 including GST, it definitely sounds like they’ve configured the plan price incorrectly. If there is any pushback or non response, hit the TDR.

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grover1

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#2831189 13-Dec-2021 09:10

cokemaster: - I would seriously push back on that. The website screenshots above do not state excluding GSt, so the assumption is that they’re inclusive of GST.

If you were previously charged $78 including GST, it definitely sounds like they’ve configured the plan price incorrectly. If there is any pushback or non response, hit the TDR.

I've contacted BigPipe's support portal and got a refund for the GST.

I did ask if Spark was closing BigPipe down, and the support person said no - but looking at the account statement.

Is anyone else getting a strange-looking account statement from BigPipe?

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#2831204 13-Dec-2021 09:28

If spark intends to keep bigpipe open for the next five years, I have a Auckland harbour crossing built and ready to go!

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nickb800

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#2831246 13-Dec-2021 10:35

grover1:

Is anyone else getting a strange-looking account statement from BigPipe?

Looks exactly the same as my Skinny invoice (with different logo), even the same GST number (which is different to the one on my Spark invoices)

old3eyes

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#2831248 13-Dec-2021 10:38

nickb800:

grover1:

Is anyone else getting a strange-looking account statement from BigPipe?

Looks exactly the same as my Skinny invoice (with different logo), even the same GST number (which is different to the one on my Spark invoices)

So Bigpipe in name only I guess.

Regards,

Old3eyes

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#2831285 13-Dec-2021 11:17

Due for a Bigpipe account bill today/tomorrow - Will have to keep an eye on the amount...

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