Best Mobile Provider / Plans 2020

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Delorean

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#269919 14-Apr-2020 21:42

Hi all.

We have currently have 2x mobiles on the $55 10GB with 2degrees.

After looking at the offerings from Spark & Vodafone, have a few questions / feedback from current users about their experience with Spark/Vodafone

Vodafone now has endless data plan for $40 pm which is slowed down. in the real world, how slow is it?
Spark gives you 4GB with a 4GB bonus for 12 mths, do they roll you over for a further 12 mths of bonus data?

This might sound like a stupid question, with VoLTE, does this give cross network HD Calling, or is it still restricted to on-net?

i would have thought 2degrees would have VoLTE by now. does anyone know if this is coming?

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#2461436 14-Apr-2020 21:46

The Speed VodafoneNZ slow the unlimited connections down to is covered on the main VodafoneNZ site 1.2Mbp/s once the full speed cap is reached

Look under " important things to know "

" Maximum speed reduced to 1.2Mbps after full speed data allowance is exceeded "

Edit: Add URL

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/pay-monthly/#endless-data-conditions

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Linux

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#2461438 14-Apr-2020 21:50

Should of added to the above post VoLTE / 3G HD voice calling is on-net only

Edit: 2degrees VoLTE is very close (Covid-19) has delayed network launch but VoLTE does work on RCG sites for 2degrees customers and some trial 2d sites out West Auckland

Delorean

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#2461441 14-Apr-2020 21:53

Linux:
The Speed VodafoneNZ slow the unlimited connections down to is covered on the main VodafoneNZ site 1.2Mbp/s once the full speed cap is reached

Look under " important things to know "

" Maximum speed reduced to 1.2Mbps after full speed data allowance is exceeded "

Yeah. Did see that. In the real world is that’s noticeably different? Sorry for the dumb question, just trying to gauge if i could live with a slowdown.

For example. Videos on YouTube start to buffer on SD?

Linux

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#2461442 14-Apr-2020 21:55

Delorean:
Linux:

The Speed VodafoneNZ slow the unlimited connections down to is covered on the main VodafoneNZ site 1.2Mbp/s once the full speed cap is reached

Look under " important things to know "

" Maximum speed reduced to 1.2Mbps after full speed data allowance is exceeded "

Yeah. Did see that. In the real world is that’s noticeably different? Sorry for the dumb question, just trying to gauge if i could live with a slowdown.

For example. Videos on YouTube start to buffer on SD?

SD videos would work easily on 1.2Mbp/s D/L but watch this space for news from 2d (COVID-19) has caused a few delays

Delorean

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#2461443 14-Apr-2020 21:55

Linux:
Should of added to the above post VoLTE / 3G HD voice calling is on-net only

Edit: 2degrees VoLTE is very close (Covid-19) has delayed network launch but VoLTE does work on RCG sites for 2degrees customers and some trial 2d sites out West Auckland

Oh, so that project won’t be shelved with their announcement today on cutbacks?

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#2461444 14-Apr-2020 21:57

Delorean:
Linux:

Should of added to the above post VoLTE / 3G HD voice calling is on-net only

Edit: 2degrees VoLTE is very close (Covid-19) has delayed network launch but VoLTE does work on RCG sites for 2degrees customers and some trial 2d sites out West Auckland

Oh, so that project won’t be shelved with their announcement today on cutbacks?

I don't work for 2degrees so not official information but I doubt it as it's sooooo close to going live

Delorean

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#2461448 14-Apr-2020 22:00

News on new plans I assume? If so I should hold tight. Hopefully it’s not too far away!

Delorean

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#2461451 14-Apr-2020 22:03

Linux:
Should of added to the above post VoLTE / 3G HD voice calling is on-net only

Edit: 2degrees VoLTE is very close (Covid-19) has delayed network launch but VoLTE does work on RCG sites for 2degrees customers and some trial 2d sites out West Auckland

You would think cross network HD calling would be possible? Why isn’t it possible?

michaelmurfy

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#2461486 15-Apr-2020 00:37

I'm personally with 2degrees for mobile and the reasons why are simple:

- WiFi Calling.
- Free data sharing between devices (I've got a number of Prepaid sims of which I data share to).
- Unlimited rollover data (unlike Spark, who in 2006 started using "3.5" by "Unleashing" ADSL to 3.5Mbit and continue to use this with how much data you can rollover - 3.5gb).
- The ability to change plans on each billing cycle to potentially save a little more:
-- I've got currently 115gb of data rolled over so lowered my plan for now to save some money and use up my rollover data. Once it starts to run out I'll simply up my plan again.
- I save $10/mo off my broadband which is also with 2degrees.

Also some killer features in my books:
- Data clock - you get 1hr free data each day and can tether with this.
- Granular data sharing - I allocate my partner 50% of my plan, I can monitor her usage and any unused data at the end of each month goes back to my rolled over data pool.

There are some downsides - for example, lack of esim, no VoLTE currently and not as much coverage as the other 2 providers (however this has improved GREATLY over the years, assuming people stop burning down cell sites thinking they're deploying 5G...).

Personally for me this makes 2degrees nearly the perfect provider for my needs. They're always quick to compete, they've got great customer service the times I've needed it and I have personally had zero regrets moving from Vodafone + Skinny to them. I'm a paying customer like everyone else and get no special treatment or perks for recommending them, I just like them as a provider.

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timmmay

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#2461497 15-Apr-2020 06:14

We use Skinny as their prices are great and they use the Spark network, which has the best coverage for the places we go - back when we could go places, that is. They probably have fewer features like shared data, but they have all the features we need.

I had my wife on the $26 plan, but she's got 10GB of data rolled over, so I dropped her back down to the $16 plan until she goes through some of it. For you, their $36 plan has 4.5GB of data or their $46 has 12GB of data. In your place I'd start up on the higher plan then drop down to use rollover data if you don't need it.

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#2461669 15-Apr-2020 10:14

I’ve had a bit of a shop around myself and my preferred connection is currently the 2 Degrees unlimited sharer option which ends up costing around $85 + $25 per sharer (I have two extra sharers). At the moment, our area has been hit fairly hard with congestion although it is getting better – so I’ve got a back up Spark unlimited (non sharer) at 50% for the first three months.

I’ve been reasonably happy with the 2D service and pricing, will probably continue to remain with 2D outside of the lockdown period.

2 Degrees

Spark

Voda

+ Price – better than Spark and Voda ($85 + $25 + $25 - $10).

+ Big inducement (free accessory) for porting from Spark (around $250-$300)... OPEN TERM!

+ Each sharer gets 40GB of usage.

+ Wifi calling – perfect for calling from the basement with low signal.

+ Doesn’t ping you for tethering.

- Extremely variable service post lockdown although localised (eg. When I move to different cells on my walk things work ok). This also impacted Wifi calling too.

I have contacted 2D support and had extremely mixed experiences regarding the lockdown experience.

- Had exceptionally poor service in parts of Central Hawkes Bay where data was unusable but voice/sms was ok. Was able to mitigate with Wifi calling and Spark Wireless BB.

- More expensive ($99.99 + $29.99 + $29.99) (Note: they may knock $10 off sharers if you ask nicely and you do have the option of a loyalty/bundle credit).

+ Each sharer gets 40GB of usage.

- Will ping you $10 per connection for tethering.

+ Significantly less call dropping than 2D / less call set up failures post lockdown but still impacted by lockdown.

+ Service works really well in Central Hawkes Bay.

- No Wifi calling. Low signal really means low signal.

Had considered Skinny but lacks call forwarding features for voicemail.

+ Price ($99.99 + 0 + $19.99)

- Wording suggests a pool of 40GB rather than individual allotments.

+ $7 / day roaming

- No wifi calling option

Service:

Experienced only because 2D unlocked Vodafone roaming during the worse of lockdown.

+ Was impacted by lockdown (mainly rare your call cannot be connected or poor audio quality) but did not experience anything near the same degree of call set up failures/call dropping.

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nztim

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#2461683 15-Apr-2020 10:20

Best Value 2degrees, Best Coverage/Service Spark (Or any MVNO that uses the spark network e.g Skinny)

However I am personally with Vodafones because of their red share with my wife and I & $7 day roaming, it just works better for us

Having a work mobile on Spark I can compare there side by side everywhere

This example is in my front yard in Titahi Bay (both don't work well in my house)

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

hio77

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#2461713 15-Apr-2020 11:02

Best always makes me laugh. what do you define as best...

Delorean: News on new plans I assume? If so I should hold tight. Hopefully it’s not too far away!

As someone who works sits in the middle of all the cogs to deliver a new plan, can certainly confirm what might seem simple on the surface likely has a bunch of complex changes in the background.

Over COVID19, almost every provider (wouldn't surprise me if it is every one) has put a halt on non-urgent changes.

Reason this is often done is simple, in times where the network is being heavily depended on, you don't want anything to break that will cause pain to a customer.

While nobody sets out to break anything in any change, there is always a risk factor there.

Delorean:

You would think cross network HD calling would be possible? Why isn’t it possible?

Cross connects historically have been a bunch of ISDN Trunks or the likes. Moving over fully to a Cross connect over SIP takes alot of work, while yes it's relatively easy to standup a SIP trunk and go k done. there is heaps more work providers have to do to ensure it meets all the standards, doesn't degrade from their existing metrics, possibly even agreements to be signed etc.

all 3 providers have had massive pressure on their connects in COVID19, while i won't make an statement for any network, Priorities do change or get an extra shove at times :)

VoLTE is also another beast, you need to go through all your compliance requirements etc, some vendors even require the network to pass tests before they will 'allow' the VoLTE carrier profile to be pushed out.

then ontop of that there is the whole, how to you actually implement it. there are tones of different ways all with their own pros and cons.

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Any comments made are personal opinion and do not reflect directly on the position my current or past employers may have.

antonknee

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#2462090 15-Apr-2020 18:09

Recently signed up for Vodafone's unlimited plan OP - sign up was a rocky experience, but they did resolve it in the end and were very apologetic.

The plan's great, and coverage and speed are also fantastic. With no fixed broadband at the moment, I recently blew through the cap and am now on the slower speed. I've barely noticed a difference actually in day to day use. It's definitely slower if you do a speed test, but things like Twitter or browsing the web is fine. That said, I usually use Netflix on low data mode if I'm on mobile so I wouldn't notice the difference with that.

Overall highly recommend the Vodafone plans.

Aucklandjafa

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#2472162 27-Apr-2020 15:55

Spark, hands down, has the best network. It would be an extra $20/month to move both of your phones to their unlimited plans. You would also get 1x Spotify premium account + Lightbox account (but no tethering). This saying, Skinny offers really good value $46/ 4weeks ($49 month) for 12gb rollover data unlimited calling, tethering, etc

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