Any mobile plans *without* data?

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › Any mobile plans *without* data?

Rob8

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#302180 4-Nov-2022 19:59

Trying to find a provider with a mobile plan that *does not* include mobile data, just calling/ sms.

I know you could turn it off at the phone but want it at the network level.

Wifi data use is fine.

Use case is a kids first phone allowing for better usage control.

Haven't found any plans like this yet, but presume someone must offer this?

RunningMan

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#2992077 4-Nov-2022 20:06

Both Skinny and Vodafone do plans with 100MB data, but other than that you're likely to be on casual rates rather than a plan.

Rob8

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#2992078 4-Nov-2022 20:19

Thanks, that's not too bad but hoping for a plan where mobile data is disabled rather than a low limit/ pay as you go.

michaelmurfy

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#2992083 4-Nov-2022 20:53

These days there is no plans without mobile data. You could however just delete the APN settings or change it to random data to fully break mobile data.

But if you go onto the $9 2degrees or Skinny plans and just topup $10 mobile data will just bar once credit is fully run out.

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cokemaster

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#2992085 4-Nov-2022 21:36

There are two approaches I can think of:

If on iOS - you use Apple familys settings to disallow the ability to change mobile data changes.
Alternatively, you can use Familyzone (android and iOS) or similar to block the internet or major components of it.
Warehouse mobile does offer text and calling packs. No surplus balance would mean no internet (except to their zero rated sites).

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kiwiharry

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#2992109 5-Nov-2022 07:39

michaelmurfy: You could however just delete the APN settings or change it to random data to fully break mobile data.

This is what I did on both my kids first phones.

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ajw

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#2992115 5-Nov-2022 07:52

Am using warehouse mobile and just buy 200 voice minutes every month for $4.

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Rob8

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#2992187 5-Nov-2022 11:41

michaelmurfy: These days there is no plans without mobile data. You could however just delete the APN settings or change it to random data to fully break mobile data.

Like this idea thanks

Rob8

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#2992190 5-Nov-2022 11:57

cokemaster:

There are two approaches I can think of:

If on iOS - you use Apple familys settings to disallow the ability to change mobile data changes.
Alternatively, you can use Familyzone (android and iOS) or similar to block the internet or major components of it.
Warehouse mobile does offer text and calling packs. No surplus balance would mean no internet (except to their zero rated sites).

Thanks - didn't know about that iOS feature, will look into family zone as well.

My gut reaction is Warehouse top-ups would be a hassle to admin (for kids) to ensure no extra balance for data?

gbwelly

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#2992214 5-Nov-2022 15:22

Rob8:

Use case is a kids first phone allowing for better usage control.

Have you thought about the bigger picture? You won't have usage control over other wifi networks, (e.g. school) and you also lose out on the option of location sharing. Microsoft Family safety might be something to consider, -move the control to the device rather than attempting it at the network level. Things like Data Clock from 2Degrees can also prevent blow outs by disabling casual data once the monthly data has been exhausted.

nztim

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#2992218 5-Nov-2022 15:52

VoLTE needs data (its zero rated but needs to be working) by disabling data on the mobile/changing the APN you are creating a 111 risk if you are in a VoLTE only area

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boosacnoodle

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#2992293 5-Nov-2022 20:00

nztim:

VoLTE needs data (its zero rated but needs to be working) by disabling data on the mobile/changing the APN you are creating a 111 risk if you are in a VoLTE only area

Not sure which devices you are using but you typically configure only the Data and MMS APN’s, but not the Voice APN as this typically happens behind the scenes. iPhone’s, for example, used on NZ carriers have an emergency calling VoLTE APN that differs from the usual calling APN.

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#2992355 5-Nov-2022 21:25

Or you could buy a business mobile plan through Vocus (now 2degrees ) and set the call barring settings to disable data on the plan, or set the data limit to 0.

cokemaster

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#2992357 5-Nov-2022 21:44

@gbwelly - you raise a good point - familyzone and Microsoft family security is a good solution in that case. The limitations you load are honored over both Wifi and mobile data.
You can put in time of day restrictions, app / website restrictions etc. Familyzone was quite good because it also detected when the children tried to tamper (eg. trying to disable the VPN).

My children used to have the following profiles:

* 8AM-5PM - no gaming data, whats app etc. School access policies applied. The school also used Familyzone, so whilst they were at school, they had access to their usage (eg. google search activity).
* 5PM-8:30PM - allowed Wechat, Roblox, netflix + a few other things.
* 8:30PM onwards - No user internet.

At any point - Find my phone, system updates, apple services (I managed those through Apples family settings) are allowed through.

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rphenix

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#2993045 7-Nov-2022 14:38

At what age are people giving their kids mobile plans?

Rob8

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#2993057 7-Nov-2022 15:23

rphenix:

At what age are people giving their kids mobile plans?

Our approach has been:

- School Year 7/8: Nokia dumb phone (only calling/ sms capable).

- School Year 9/10: Smartphone with only school apps/ Whatsapp (no social media)

- We're not past year 10 yet with eldest but will try to hold off on social media until Year 12/ 16+

Just trying to figure our a better system for screentime management now with 2 kids heading into year 9 next year...