Local Linkup - Low-cost digital equity fibre broadband

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Local Linkup - Low-cost digital equity fibre broadband

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allan

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#3399336 2-Aug-2025 16:20

Eva888:

Not sure if it’s part of the same programme but was very impressed because it would allow some older people enough access to brighten their lives.

Jump is a low-cost, prepaid broadband internet service for eligible Kiwi homes. You get 15GB free each month, and can top up 35G of data for just $5, up to 225 GB per month.

https://www.smartnewtown.org.nz/skinny-jump

Skinny Jump has been around for a while, but signup is not directly through Skinny. It's done through a social services agency. We set it up for our son via Wellington City Mission, who were great to deal with and supplied the cellular router on the spot. It worked well for our son until his life ended tragically.

I'm assuming Jump is a solely Spark sponsored initiative, but it sure doesn't get a lot of publicity.

michaelmurfy

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#3399452 2-Aug-2025 22:38

allan: I'm assuming Jump is a solely Spark sponsored initiative, but it sure doesn't get a lot of publicity.

It is quite well known but unfortunately is quite abused also. There’s people out here who have acquired multiple modems and even take them on roadtrips as they’re not fixed to a location. They’re fully done by Spark and it can be quite profitable for them considering it’s nearly 100% margin.

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CamH

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#3399454 2-Aug-2025 23:12

michaelmurfy:

allan: I'm assuming Jump is a solely Spark sponsored initiative, but it sure doesn't get a lot of publicity.

It is quite well known but unfortunately is quite abused also. There’s people out here who have acquired multiple modems and even take them on roadtrips as they’re not fixed to a location. They’re fully done by Spark and it can be quite profitable for them considering it’s nearly 100% margin.

Yep, abused quite considerably. We're a Jump partner, and we often get people who want it while being well outside of the criteria you have to meet.

Unfortunately, many of the partners don't have considerable knowledge or process around Jump and the places I've seen those Jump connections is crazy. Found one in 2022 as a backup connection for a business...

godber

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#3399461 3-Aug-2025 07:18

michaelmurfy:

@godber sorry, looks like I had an older cached version. If I go into a private window I get the current version which matches yours.

Many thanks @michaelmurfy and @freitasm for testing. Glad it was not just me.

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bfginger

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#3399478 3-Aug-2025 10:04

@nztim the cheapest I can see for an ONT fixed-landline-only connection is $49 at Mercury. Cell phones that resemble corded phones exist although their might still be enough difference to cause confusion in some cases.

Dwelling transience meaning a move once or twice every year is common among low income urbanites in New Zealand. So the prevalence of 4G internet access may reflect not only pricing but the process of using a connection less fixtured to a specific house.

I think the Cheapies poster about Mercury is talking about the Eero router's Remote Network Management for Custom Installers features. I don't know if that really lets support see what websites he's visiting but it's got a website category filter feature which could be where he got that idea from.

Vetta's website touts a 300Mbps plan?

jordan8thepie1

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#3400412 6-Aug-2025 17:36

I have a work colleague who basically volunteers her time

She lives in Miramar and solely relies on her benefit and is doing it hard currently.

She has a CSC.

I tested it with her address and it seems that she is not eligible. She currently doesn't have an ONT in her house.

At the moment she just hotspots off her phone to get internet on her computer. She would benefit from this trial as can't afford fiber optic broadband.

But looks like she doesn't meet the requirements due to not having an ONT installed.

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KiwiSurfer

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#3400472 6-Aug-2025 21:23

I am not 100% sure but I think it is now possible to request a fibre install without having to go through an RSP first.

https://www.chorus.co.nz/residential/fibre-installation/request-an-installation

jen1001

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#3407276 25-Aug-2025 12:32

A friend of mine just signed up last week. CSC holder with ONT already installed at her place

Modem arrived 1 working day later, with a scheduled service to be connected this coming Wednesday. Vetta confirmed she could be connected earlier and was up and running in a couple of days. She had nothing but praises for the couple of people she spoke to so passing on her thanks on behalf to those behind the initiative. 😊

freitasm

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#3407833 27-Aug-2025 13:06

There's an article on Listener now (paywall): Peter Griffin: Cut-price fibre could change lives - NZ Herald

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saf

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#3470804 16-Mar-2026 11:32

An update here given Chorus' public announcement of the launch of the digital equity service today.

Local Linkup is now also formally launched as of last week, now resulting in one single plan:

Local Linkup

100Mbps download speed
20Mbps upload speed
Uncapped data
WiFi 6 router rental included
No contract

$28/month (including GST)

The new microsite with all the information, pricing, eligibility and the checker/ordering flow is available at locallinkup.nz.

One point to note which is different from the POC trial, is if you, or someone you know is doing it tough out there, and is in financial hardship, but doesn't strictly meet the eligibility criteria, our checker tool will give you an email address for our team to send information to, and we may be able to make a manual exception to still get you onto the scheme.

To learn more about our launch, and also hear some comments from someone who was helped by this scheme, we've also had a wee write-up here: https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360963548/autistic-timaru-man-praises-new-affordable-fibre-service-tackling-digital-inequity

A massive thank you to all of you here who have engaged with us during the POC trial, and since - your feedback, support, introductions and collaborations have helped immensely to form this into a final product - not just from us, but across all RSPs taking part.

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