2degrees or Spark

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › 2degrees or Spark

whyl1442

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Topic # 241014 7-Oct-2018 00:42

I am confusing now. My mobile provider is Skinny currently. I want to switch to another provider. To search website. 2degrees and Spark have a promotion for Prepay. 2degressis $29 plan has a double data for 3 months(https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/prepay/). Spark $29 plan has a bouns data until 4 March 2019. (https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/prepaid.html). How should I choose? Which one is best about mobile network speed and coverage? Thanks.

DarkShadow

1543 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 596

Reply # 2102781 7-Oct-2018 00:47

2 people support this post

Skinny uses the Spark network so they have the same coverage. Is Skinny working well for you now?

Generally speaking Vodafone and Spark are considered to be equal in their quality of their mobile networks, and 2degrees is considered to be not as good.

michaelmurfy

Meow
8020 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4006

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2102785 7-Oct-2018 01:22

2 people support this post

Best mobile speed + coverage = Spark.
Best value for money = 2degrees.

I've been with all the major telco's - Spark wins for coverage however here in Wellington it is less important (also, I've got a Vodafone phone from work too). I've found 2degrees to be great for my use. For starters, 2degrees allows for unlimited rollover (up-to a year that is) along with WiFi calling and data speeds are actually pretty good on their 4G network to the point unless if I run a Speedtest I don't notice any difference. My partner has switched to 2degrees as well and I data share with her.

The other bonus with 2degrees is the fact you can data share for free to any Prepaid or on account sim. I've got sims that are not topped up in several devices for data only.

Also, I am pretty sure their double data promo rolls over so whatever data you get for free you get to use within a year. You can also save a further $10/mo if you have broadband with them (and their broadband is very good).

Support wise - 2degrees wins again. I've found an average hold time of 2mins for when I need to speak to them, they're helpful and also based here in NZ. With Spark I've had mixed experiences and Skinny the same.

Personal preference really - but personally, I don't see myself changing off 2degrees anytime soon.

Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
A quick guide to picking the right ISP | The Router Guide | Community UniFi Cloud Controller | Ubiquiti Edgerouter Tutorial

dfnt

defiant
671 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 310

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2102789 7-Oct-2018 02:43

If 2degrees had Spotify bundled in with their plans I'd insta switch

timmmay

14217 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2572

Trusted

Subscriber

Reply # 2102791 7-Oct-2018 06:40

It really depends why you want to change providers, which you haven't said. Is Skinny coverage ok? What problem are you having?

AWS Certified Solution Architect Professional, Sysop Administrator Associate, and Developer Associate
TOGAF certified enterprise architect
Professional photographer

Linux

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2131

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2102793 7-Oct-2018 06:59

One person supports this post

Just backing up what @MichaelMurfy has posted already on 2degrees you get true calendar month billing on prepaid not the 28 day rubbish and 2degrees does 12 month carry over not capped carryover of 500 minutes and 3.5GB of data

Also if you have a supported handset you get Wi-Fi calling so technically free roaming when connected to Wi-Fi and I have used this service lots zero issues

John

Ex JohnR VodafoneNZ 17 years 4 days

Linux

3689 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2131

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2102795 7-Oct-2018 07:07

One person supports this post

2degrees has very good 4G coverage and speed

The support from all carriers on Geekzone is very good also but 2degrees is best with the likes of @SaltyNZ @NickMack @2degreescare all stepping up to the plate

(sorry if I forgot about any other 2d staff)

Edit: Data clock as well

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/data-clock/

John

Ex JohnR VodafoneNZ 17 years 4 days

tripp

3082 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 778

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2102799 7-Oct-2018 08:07

dfnt:

If 2degrees had Spotify bundled in with their plans I'd insta switch

I was the same, but 2degrees data won me over (25gig plan and no charge for sharing data).

I then also found this that make the blow of losing spotify much more acceptable for 3 months

https://www.deezer.com/us/offers/?referer=xbox

I find deezer's interface better than spotify and for 90 days for $1 it gave me time to get use to it, you can also use apps/website to transfer your play lists to deezer :)

Also after the 3 months the 12.99NZ is cheaper than spotify $15 (family plan is also cheaper).

dfnt

defiant
671 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 310

Lifetime subscriber

Reply # 2103036 7-Oct-2018 21:20

tripp:

dfnt:

If 2degrees had Spotify bundled in with their plans I'd insta switch

I was the same, but 2degrees data won me over (25gig plan and no charge for sharing data).

I then also found this that make the blow of losing spotify much more acceptable for 3 months

https://www.deezer.com/us/offers/?referer=xbox

I find deezer's interface better than spotify and for 90 days for $1 it gave me time to get use to it, you can also use apps/website to transfer your play lists to deezer :)

Also after the 3 months the 12.99NZ is cheaper than spotify $15 (family plan is also cheaper).

Interesting, I'll look into deezer.

The things I like about Spotify is the discover weekly playlist, amongst other things. That and being able to control any Spotify instance from any device, e.g. I can control Spotify on the nvidia shield TV from my laptop and phone or vice versa.

The one thing I dislike about Spotify is how terrible the "radio stations' are. On the phone, it seems like if you don't open Spotify regularly it just plays the same group of 20-30 songs over and over.

Hijacking this thread a little, what's the deal with porting numbers and international SMS these days? For most 2FA services I use Authy or Yubikey but there's still a few services that use SMS like Shopify etc. How long does it usually take for whatever systems they use to update the fact you've ported to a different telco? @Linux?

stinger

460 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 119

Reply # 2103055 7-Oct-2018 22:17

dfnt:

If 2degrees had Spotify bundled in with their plans I'd insta switch

If 2 degrees had Spotify bundled, the plans would be about $10 more expensive. For me, I use 2 degrees. The deal breaker is wifi calling, which is wonderful when you are overseas (calls/txt come from your usual plan without needing roaming). I don't make more than 200 minutes a month in calls, if I did, I would probably use Skinny since they have the cheapest unlimited calling plan ($36/28 days). Neither 2 degrees nor Vodafone have unlimited prepaid calling plans.

nitro

96 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

Reply # 2103173 8-Oct-2018 09:41

2 people support this post

happy with 2Degrees, as well.

rollover + data sharing is working very well for me (sharing with kids).

whyl1442

4 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

Reply # 2105980 10-Oct-2018 23:13

thanks, everyone gives me the best advice.