Nova only allowing sign-up with Broadband?

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Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#2677166 19-Mar-2021 12:46

Really annoying - I'm a long time Nova power customer.

When I was last evaluating internet options a year ago, I thought I might give them a try as they had a sign up special.

When I called the call center I was told that the special internet pricing would only apply to new power customers moving to them.

Seems like they want me to switch to another power company.

EIDT: I wonder what happens if I sign up power & internet with Nova, then switch the internet only to another provider at the end of contract period. Probably they'll put up the power price? Surely thats a nono with the comcom?

BlinkyBill

1443 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2677203 19-Mar-2021 13:26

mrdrifter:

BlinkyBill:

If you use gas, it’s going to be increasingly hard to source gas. I speculate totally without justification that this is a reaction to the Govt’s soon-to-be plan to phase out gas supply.

The problem with this is that residential usage is only consuming ~3% of the overall supply and the 'shortage' is only caused by the current government stopping exploration permits. It's not like the gas is suddenly going to stop in 2030.

that’s not what I am referring to. The climate change commission has suggested that use of gas be phased out, so once the commission report is finalised I’d expect a plan to phase out usage to be put in place.

Hammerer

2476 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2677204 19-Mar-2021 13:27

There appears to be no misuse of market power even in the extreme speculation here, so why would the Commerce Commission get involved?

Bundling has been a common practice for utilities and adding broadband brings further benefits even if the product characteristics are different. We already have the common practice of bundling of electricity and gas (reticulated and bottled). Broadband is another utility which can be bundled to provide lower prices I can't see the Commerce Commission fighting it, even if it becomes the major option, unless it is used to increase prices or profits at the expense of consumers.

jol:

outdoorsnz:

Doesn't wash well! If all energy retailers did this, wonder what consumer would have to say on this?

This might be premature, but I wonder if ComCom would have anything to say about this. Mandatory bundling certainly reduces competition in the retail energy market. Are there any existing or potential regulations which could prevent this?

"Mandatory bundling" would be what the Commerce Commission or regulator forced onto retailers. Retailers changing their "product" mix doesn't make anything mandatory because they are offers to potential customers. The impact on existing customers will depend upon their existing contracts. I doubt that bundling could be enforced there as that would be much more likely to involve the Commerce Commission.

howdystranger

152 posts

Master Geek

#2677206 19-Mar-2021 13:29

I'm currently with Nova just for piped gas. I just got the email about my gas prices going up, and was likewise confused by the website and the insistence on bundling. I think I will switch companies - Contact seems to be cheaper for me.

hsvhel

1237 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2679633 24-Mar-2021 09:55

With Energy being their core business purpose, does forcing people to then accept their communications service count?

example, they are a provider in a region i am looking to purchase, there is no copper/fibre service to the property but they are the energy supplier of best value for power. If not comms service can be supplied by them, they are loosing a potential customer.

I get it's a good option where available, just there is a portion of customer base they could retain/sign up if they were flexible, at this point it seems not. shame really

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dafman

3928 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2679640 24-Mar-2021 10:15

I'm with Nova for electricity. Happy to stay with them subject to pricing remaining competitive, but zero interest in using them for broadband. Will switch power before switching broadband.

dafman

3928 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2679643 24-Mar-2021 10:20

hsvhel:

With Energy being their core business purpose, does forcing people to then accept their communications service count?

Nova are free to change/evolve the services they offer. Businesses do this all the time.

They are not forcing any one to join, consumers are free to shop elsewhere if not happy.

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Mehrts

1063 posts

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Trusted

#2679929 24-Mar-2021 18:37

Damn, I've just come across this info.

I haven't received any correspondence from Nova about any changes to anything, including the gas price increase (which I discovered on our last invoice)..

Detruire

1772 posts

Uber Geek

#2679960 24-Mar-2021 19:57

I actually noticed the updated site last week to push broadband, but didn't realise that they required it now! This is disappointing. Nova used to be the only gas supplier in my area with competitive pricing, that would just sell you gas at that price. All the others required you to bundle power.

rm *

Amosnz

567 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2687928 7-Apr-2021 16:24

Just had a door knocker in my area trying to get us to switch to Nova. My wife told him we are a Nova power/gas customer already, so he started on the "we now have broadband.... " spiel, she cut him off real quick with a "we're definately not interested in that" and he was on his way.

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deadlyllama

1264 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2687950 7-Apr-2021 17:06

We just moved house and they didn't require us to add broadband - we're now only with them for electricity.

GregM

79 posts

Master Geek

#2690876 11-Apr-2021 14:21

The new plan they wanted to put us on wasn't competitive, so have made the move to another providor.

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