'We ran the numbers on your broadband plan' email

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › 'We ran the numbers on your broadband plan' email

Monza

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#307122 21-Sep-2023 16:04

Just got an email from Spark with a 'review' of my fibre plan.

The email reminds me that I'm on the Max Fibre Plus plan for $112 per month.

It gives;

average total data usage at 1862GB/mth
Netflix Standard (I'm actually on HD): Activated
McAfee Standard (lol, as if): Not Activated
Fibre speed as 914Mbps average download and 497 average upload

It advises that

"Our Made For You Recommendation:
Your current plan is spot-on"

Anyone get one advising to move to a faster/slower plan? or move to a fixed wireless option? Just curious on the metrics they use

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Networkn
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#3130222 21-Sep-2023 16:34

2TB a month and they think you need their biggest plan? I don't think so Tim. You'd be perfect on a 300/100 plan.

Talkiet

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#3130256 21-Sep-2023 18:06

networkn:

2TB a month and they think you need their biggest plan? I don't think so Tim. You'd be perfect on a 300/100 plan.

If the only thing it was used for was unattended downloads or non time critical things, then I would agree.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

coffeebaron

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#3130295 21-Sep-2023 21:30

I think their algorithm is something like:
Is customer on xDSL, if yes then suggest they are better on wireless.
Is customer on fibre and a lower than average user, then suggest wireless.
Is customer a higher user but in 5G area, then suggest wireless.
Is customer a data leech on fibre, OK it looks like you're on the right plan :)

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Monza

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3130360 22-Sep-2023 09:26

networkn:

2TB a month and they think you need their biggest plan? I don't think so Tim. You'd be perfect on a 300/100 plan.

I prefer my Steam game downloads at 3x thanks...😜

Monza

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3130362 22-Sep-2023 09:30

Talkiet:

networkn:

2TB a month and they think you need their biggest plan? I don't think so Tim. You'd be perfect on a 300/100 plan.

If the only thing it was used for was unattended downloads or non time critical things, then I would agree.

Cheers - N

For me it is about upload bandwidth, 500 vs 100 is notably and appreciatively different.

Monza

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3130364 22-Sep-2023 09:35

coffeebaron: I think their algorithm is something like:
Is customer on xDSL, if yes then suggest they are better on wireless.
Is customer on fibre and a lower than average user, then suggest wireless.
Is customer a higher user but in 5G area, then suggest wireless.
Is customer a data leech on fibre, OK it looks like you're on the right plan :)

That is what I'm thinking. Disagree with using so few data points to make a recommendation, eg no talk of latency for gaming.

timmmay

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#3130366 22-Sep-2023 09:38

Monza:

I prefer my Steam game downloads at 3x thanks...😜

Does it actually download over 300Mbps? If steam has a mirror in NZ that's fairly low latency it might get up there, or if it downloads chunks with different threads.

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Monza

299 posts

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#3130367 22-Sep-2023 09:41

timmmay:

Monza:

I prefer my Steam game downloads at 3x thanks...😜

Does it actually download over 300Mbps? If steam has a mirror in NZ that's fairly low latency it might get up there, or if it downloads chunks with different threads.

I have DU Meter always running on a side monitor, most Steam downloads pretty much flat line 880-950Mbps.

Do notice much slower if downloading an obscure game that is 10+ years old, assume no NZ mirror but that is rare.

Talkiet

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#3130396 22-Sep-2023 10:30

When I tested our Steam downloads recently, I consistently got over 900Mbps.

Cheers - N

Please note all comments are from my own brain and don't necessarily represent the position or opinions of my employer, previous employers, colleagues, friends or pets.

Vindy500

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#3130548 22-Sep-2023 15:57

Am I allowed in the Spark Forum?

Can Steam do more than 300?

Can Steam do more than 900?

I'll see myself out

richms

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#3130550 22-Sep-2023 16:01

I have seen 1.7 on steam on a computer on a 2/2 hyperfiber connection, it had a 2.5 gig nic back to things. Not too sure on what the network config was but I consider that a reasonable speed for it.

Richard rich.ms

MaxineN

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#3130576 22-Sep-2023 17:05

Vindy500:

Am I allowed in the Spark Forum?

Can Steam do more than 300?

Can Steam do more than 900?

I'll see myself out

I'm in shambles as I'm just outside of the XPON area in Enable.....

(You don't need this 😉)

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freitasm

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#3142972 5-Oct-2023 09:01

I think this press release answers it:

Spark is proactively contacting pay monthly mobile and broadband customers1 and recommending the best plan based on their individual needs with ‘Made For You Review’ – a data-driven right planning programme that harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI).

Made For You Review uses AI to crunch millions of data points, including what plan a customer is on, how many calls, texts, and data they’re using and how much they’re paying each month, and analyses this data against Spark’s available plans before generating a recommendation of the best plan.

Spark Marketing and Data Director Matt Bain said Spark began sharing Made For You Review recommendations with customers on wireless broadband plans this year and those who took action on their recommendation are now saving approximately $15 per month on average.

“While we have made improvements to how customers can check their usage and spend history, as well as simplifying how we present our plans, we know it can be difficult to keep track of what’s available in the market. Made For You Review takes out the hard work for customers, helping them assess whether their current services are still right for them.

“Ultimately, the purpose behind Made For You Review is to ensure our customers are getting the most from their broadband and mobile plans. For example, it might recommend moving to a cheaper broadband plan if you’re not using all the value allocated, or suggest a larger plan if you’re regularly using up all your mobile data and paying for overage.”

Spark will also arm its front-line care agents with customers’ latest Made for You Review recommendation so they can proactively talk to customers about other plans that might better suit their needs from 4 October.

“Over the last few months, our customer care teams have undergone a major training programme so they are equipped to use this data, which is updated daily, to front-foot conversations with customers about the right plan for them, based on their recent activity.”

Spark is continuing to optimise this technology with plans of enabling it to automatically check-in and make recommendations when a customer’s usage behaviour changes. For example, it could notice a steep drop in data use due to the kids moving out of home, and proactively notify the customer of a better plan based on these changes.

Spark’s Made for You Review has already picked up seven awards at the recent 2023 TVNZ NZ Marketing Awards with its partner Proximity, including the Supreme Award for Excellence in Data Insights Strategy and Best Overall Marketing Campaign.