Best value cell/home broadband/home phone package for elderly relative

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timmmay

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#192293 5-Mar-2016 09:24

Can anyone suggest a good cell/home broadband/possibly home phone setup for an elderly relative? They may use Lightbox, otherwise broadband usage is low - 40GB would be more than enough data for them each month. They use a little bit of mobile data. If dropping the home phone would save money they'd probably do that. One provider that offers package discount and decent service would be ideal.

I suggested 2degrees, but they're interested in Flip. Flip doesn't appear to do cell, according to a quick look at their website.

Location is Wanganui, UFB not available, VDSL is.

NB: I'm out all day but will check in the thread tomorrow.

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#1506376 5-Mar-2016 09:35

Low usage mobile check out Vodafone Prepay & Go and credit is valid for another 360 days from each topup

timmmay

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#1506378 5-Mar-2016 09:40

Thanks John. Does Vodafone do some kind of package deal with home broadband and cell?

johnr

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#1506379 5-Mar-2016 09:43

Yes fixed line is discounted if a on account mobile is linked to fixed line plan naked or clothed but no discount offer for having a Prepay connection

NonprayingMantis

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#1506393 5-Mar-2016 10:34

Any particular reason you're looking for a package? It's often cheaper to buy the services separately. E.g. Flip or Bigpipe + skinny mobile is probably cheaper than an equivalent vf or spark package deal.

timmmay

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#1506813 6-Mar-2016 11:19

It does turn out to be cheaper to get individually. Package would be easier to manage, but oh well. I think Flip for home connection and 2 degrees prepay for mobile is the best option. No carrier provides a package that's worth bothering with. Thanks all.

nigelj

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#1506856 6-Mar-2016 12:33

timmmay:

Can anyone suggest a good cell/home broadband/possibly home phone setup for an elderly relative? They may use Lightbox, otherwise broadband usage is low - 40GB would be more than enough data for them each month. They use a little bit of mobile data. If dropping the home phone would save money they'd probably do that. One provider that offers package discount and decent service would be ideal.

I suggested 2degrees, but they're interested in Flip. Flip doesn't appear to do cell, according to a quick look at their website.

Location is Wanganui, UFB not available, VDSL is.

NB: I'm out all day but will check in the thread tomorrow.

Could Spark + OneBill be suitable? The OneBill part from memory is $3/mo for 15 minutes. Plus you can add the standard add-ons (at pre-paid rates I think it is), or it sounds like Spark offers the prepaid $19 & $29 combos as OneBill.

Depends on the definition of 'a little bit of mobile data' to be honest.

michaelmurfy

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#1506875 6-Mar-2016 13:06

I'd still recommend Spark + OneBill for the elderly. The packages themselves are quite competitive and adding on a mobile with some minutes starts at only $3/mo.

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timmmay

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#1506932 6-Mar-2016 14:58

You know, none of the Telcos do a very good job of describing things like product packages, at least as far as I can find.

Spark is more expensive than 2 deg prepay + Flip @ home. $3 for "one bill" sounds like the opposite of a package discount? The "onebill" page I found on the Spark website was really quite uninformative.

nigelj

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#1506968 6-Mar-2016 16:13

timmmay:

You know, none of the Telcos do a very good job of describing things like product packages, at least as far as I can find.

Spark is more expensive than 2 deg prepay + Flip @ home. $3 for "one bill" sounds like the opposite of a package discount? The "onebill" page I found on the Spark website was really quite uninformative.

Amen on the documentation, I'm just waiting for someone taking a bill to the DT to be honest... In Spark's case...

6. The Charges for Mobile Plans and all Services are set out on the Spark Website and are also available by contacting Spark Customer Services and through the My Spark application on your Mobile Device.

(From Section 8/Services here)

A lot of prices are hard to find, or have disappeared completely on grandfathered plans.

DarkShadow

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#1506973 6-Mar-2016 16:36

Onebill $3 is grandfathered now right?

nigelj

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#1506993 6-Mar-2016 17:19

DarkShadow:

Onebill $3 is grandfathered now right?

It wasn't when I inquired about a month or two ago, it's just one of those 'secret plans' you've got to know about.

timmmay

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#1507097 6-Mar-2016 20:51

When you leave Spark (after a contract is up) are you meant to send back the ADSL modem?

michaelmurfy

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#1507114 6-Mar-2016 21:08

timmmay:

When you leave Spark (after a contract is up) are you meant to send back the ADSL modem?

No. That is their gift to you so you remember them forever. Often people frame their modems once they move to another "less satisfactory" provider.

firefuze

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#1507175 6-Mar-2016 23:35

nigelj:
DarkShadow:

Onebill $3 is grandfathered now right?

It wasn't when I inquired about a month or two ago, it's just one of those 'secret plans' you've got to know about.

Smart One Bill ($3 Plan) has been grandfathered since July 2015. No new customers/connections can get this plan.

noroad

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#1507259 7-Mar-2016 09:16

Personally I would use The Flip $59.95 /month homeline + 60G adsl (chose the free 60min/month calls to allow for calls to the mobile) plus a Skinny $16 package. That's all the needed Telecommunications for $75.95/month and it retains the homeline which is good for older people. Use a credit card to automatically pay for both (you won't get bill shock from either one as they are prepay) and then its all very easy.

Just my 2c

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