Dear Telcos, about our elderly......

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#2455488 6-Apr-2020 09:26

msukiwi:

A lot of elderly have NO broadband.

Just a POTS line, and pay for all non-local calls.

(Or all calls, in some cases)

They already pay in excess of $60/month just for the POTS service.

(My mother is one in this category)

I can see where the OP is heading!

Depends what kind of "POTS" line they have...

it might be "POTS" off an ONT or BASEBAND IP in which is pots emulated into SIP - In which case a better deal on tolls could be on the table

Or it might be a NEAX connection which is a traditional circuit switched telephone line which case no deals on tolls will be on the table

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

kiwifidget

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#2455490 6-Apr-2020 09:32

@Mahon , it's not a demand, it's a suggestion.

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old3eyes

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#2455514 6-Apr-2020 09:47

Inphinity:

I think Spark still offer their $14 addon that gives you unlimited national landline to landline calls up to 2 hrs per call.

That's what we are on. M-in-law seems to talk for hours on the phone. Unfortunately where I live cell coverage isn't really an option.

Regards,

Old3eyes

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#2455515 6-Apr-2020 09:49

nztim:

msukiwi:

A lot of elderly have NO broadband.

Just a POTS line, and pay for all non-local calls.

(Or all calls, in some cases)

They already pay in excess of $60/month just for the POTS service.

(My mother is one in this category)

I can see where the OP is heading!

Depends what kind of "POTS" line they have...

it might be "POTS" off an ONT or BASEBAND IP in which is pots emulated into SIP - In which case a better deal on tolls could be on the table

Or it might be a NEAX connection which is a traditional circuit switched telephone line which case no deals on tolls will be on the table

To me POTS is Plane Old Telephone Service that is analog and comes from and old NEAX central office.

Regards,

Old3eyes

nztim

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#2455518 6-Apr-2020 09:53

old3eyes:

nztim:

Depends what kind of "POTS" line they have...

it might be "POTS" off an ONT or BASEBAND IP in which is pots emulated into SIP - In which case a better deal on tolls could be on the table

Or it might be a NEAX connection which is a traditional circuit switched telephone line which case no deals on tolls will be on the table

To me POTS is Plane Old Telephone Service that is analog and comes from and old NEAX central office.

Agree... but people might think they have "POTS" when they actually have an analogue line emulated to SIP (Base band IP) in which case they should be offered the same call rates/deals on calls as those on any other SIP service

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

Dingbatt

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#2455520 6-Apr-2020 09:56

richms:

If they wanted to do something they could axe the whole national toll call concept, but they wont, its a good money earner while the boomers are still around who refuse to get a mobile.

So it’s the fault of “the boomers” yet again!
Get a grip. Just how big do you think the demographic is?

This is more for people like my mother, born in 1938 so well outside the ‘boomer’ demographic, who only have a phone. No family living close and surviving on a pension. I am calling her frequently but am sure she is reluctant to initiate a call due to the cost.
Outfits like Spark, that are still collecting their full whack while others are going out of business and losing jobs, could show a bit of community spirit as well.

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#2455547 6-Apr-2020 10:38

Whats wrong with this cellphone plan with Spark.

https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/gold-plans.html

kotuku4

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#2455549 6-Apr-2020 10:40

kiwifidget:

Extended internet is nice, but what my mum would really like is unlimited free national landline calls.

Maybe quite a few of our elderly could stay better in touch if they didnt have to pay toll calls right now.

Thank you.

For my Parents, they wanting national calling and basic broadband.

We settled on Flip ADSL/VDSL currently $55 150gb carryover data, plus $5 for national calling.

So $60/m paid in advance, and $25 one off set up (Byo modem). 12 month contract.

Does get expensive if you add calls to mobile, no contract, or call forwarding, etc.

nztim

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#2455551 6-Apr-2020 10:42

ajw:

Whats wrong with this cellphone plan with Spark.

https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/gold-plans.html

because they don't want nor should they have to get, a cellphone just like @Dingbatt's mother I have relatives around the same age and just want their phone calls on their home phone to be cheaper

Granted, I understand that on some voice lines this is not possible, but on others it definitely is

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#2455702 6-Apr-2020 13:12

old3eyes:

To me POTS is Plane Old Telephone Service that is analog and comes from and old NEAX central office.

But that definition doesn't really apply now - large numbers of people who think they have a POTS connection (using your definition - a normal analogue phone plugged into the same wall jacks and delivered over copper) are now connected via ISAM-V cards and VoIP connections. The number of people on such connections is going to grow hugely over the next 12 months as the NEAX shutdown progresses.

nztim

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#2455819 6-Apr-2020 14:23

sbiddle:

old3eyes:

To me POTS is Plane Old Telephone Service that is analog and comes from and old NEAX central office.

But that definition doesn't really apply now - large numbers of people who think they have a POTS connection (using your definition - a normal analogue phone plugged into the same wall jacks and delivered over copper) are now connected via ISAM-V cards and VoIP connections. The number of people on such connections is going to grow hugely over the next 12 months as the NEAX shutdown progresses.

And those now have POTS emulated into SIP aka BBIP/ISAM-V should be able to enjoy the same calling rates as those who have a SIP connection into their home

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

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Yabanize

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#2455829 6-Apr-2020 14:39

The current Vodafone landline + broadband plans (usually over Fibre) include national landline calling in the $10 charge too.

My Aunty (Who isn't quite 65 yet) is on the $36 Skinny mobile plan with unlimited NZ/AU calling and voicemail. (and data that she doesn't really use), It's cheaper than a landline, no paying for any toll calls and she can use it anywhere (not just at home). It means she can stay in touch with her daughters in Aus too.

Those Spark Gold plans look awesome too, it'd be great if they could get that kind of pricing through to landlines (Or the wireless 4G landlines)

nztim

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#2455836 6-Apr-2020 14:46

kotuku4:

For my Parents, they wanting national calling and basic broadband.

We settled on Flip ADSL/VDSL currently $55 150gb carryover data, plus $5 for national calling.

So $60/m paid in advance, and $25 one off set up (Byo modem). 12 month contract.

Does get expensive if you add calls to mobile, no contract, or call forwarding, etc.

In this example Vocus (who own flip) have their own equipment in the exchange which gives you your DSL signal and Dialtone... you would have no clue that your phone line is actually a SIP/VOIP line the process just happens at the vocus equipment in the exchange, that's how they can offer $60 for unlimited national calling and DSL

They just pay Chorus for access to the raw copper wires, they don't have to pay Spark for NEAX services or Chorus for a DSL/ISAM-V

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

nztim

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#2455837 6-Apr-2020 14:47

Yabanize:

Those Spark Gold plans look awesome too, it'd be great if they could get that kind of pricing through to landlines (Or the wireless 4G landlines)

Those pricing should be on any non-NEAX landline (regardless of delivery method)

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

kiwifidget

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#2458864 10-Apr-2020 12:23

Finally have access to parents Spark account. They do not have Spark internet.

Home Phone plan : $55
One mobile smartphone : $29.99 (150mins, 500MB)
One mobile smartphone : $9.99 (30mins, 0MB)

Last month :

Mobile : 21 calls = $38
Toll : 26 calls = $45
Intl : 4 = $7

I think because they do not have broadband, I can see no add-on packs available for the landline.

For the 2 mobiles (they are not smartphones despite what the bill says) I can see a $15 Talk Boost add-on for unlimited mins to NZ.
No idea if that means calls to landlines, mobiles, or both. It doesn't say. Anyone know?

A bit disappointed there are no options for their landline.
I can set up the add-on for the $10 mobile, but they will have to be more vigilant about keeping that mobile charged.
Would really rather a landline option though.

Unless I am missing something obvious.

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