Spark or BigPipe

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turneg01

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#251540 30-Jun-2019 09:04

I need to get a new Fibre connection at a property i am moving into.

Would you recommend Spark or BigPipe. BigPipe has 3 months free but has mixed reviews.

Use about 150GB a month atm and was either thinking 100Mbp or the 700-900Mbp plans

Also if you can recommend another ISP I am all ears. thanks

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Geek @ Coastguard NZ
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#2267140 30-Jun-2019 09:32

I was on Voyager for a number of years for VDSL, never had any issues, and pricing was great - $99 for unlimited data, NZ calls, and a static IP. Fibre is the same price.

Only reason I switched was because they couldnt offer me a plan with higher upload rate than 20Mbps without pushing the price up a reasonable amount.

So now on BigPipe, and had zilch issues. Only thing I can see being an issue for most home users with BigPipe, is the lack of phone service and the support is online only. But for myself, it was fine, Im happy to t/shoot most issues myself and sorted out a 2Talk account for phones.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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#2267142 30-Jun-2019 09:33

Spark and Bigpipe are exactly the same network wise it's just how you pay the bill and the helpdesk that's different.

Otherwise 2D and Voyager are the other ISPs many recommend.

Ex Spark staffer who built the broadband network and moved to 2D to try it out. Overall I am happy with 2D and because we had to keep our home phone having a VoIP line where I get voicemails via email is a nice bonus that I know Spark don't offer.

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#2267191 30-Jun-2019 10:22

Neither check out 2degrees and the support they provide here on Geekzone!

I recently got fibre with 2degrees and very very happy customer moving my mum and dad over soon as well

allune

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#2267209 30-Jun-2019 11:06

I've used both. Bigpipe was great apart from the online support... sometimes I just would really like to talk to someone on the phone.

Transferred out of Bigpipe because I've run out of people to invite (haha $20 credit) technically nothing wrong with their ISP quality, just wish not to have issues and you'll be at the mercy of their online support. At the time Spark had offered us 20 off per month so we switched! Just had a hard time transferring out of Bigpipe because Spark kept asking for an account number which I could not provide since they don't have account numbers (but I can see on other posts here that switches recently had been quicker--do they now have account number? heh).

Spark has been OK---I've noticed some slowdowns at times (Netflix pixellated, pages loading forever) but I never got to investigate due to being always at work...

Now transferring out of Spark because when the contract lapsed they got too expensive for us. We thought of recontracting for another year but their current offering is meh. Switching to 2Degrees is the plan (glowing reviews on this forum!)... we've just handed the notice in. Hopefully it goes well!

hio77

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#2267269 30-Jun-2019 11:53

BarTender: I get voicemails via email is a nice bonus that I know Spark don't offer.

You say that like we dont change products ;)

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#2267292 30-Jun-2019 12:40

hio77:
BarTender: I get voicemails via email is a nice bonus that I know Spark don't offer.

You say that like we dont change products ;)

I look forward to the day I can see my SIP credentials in MySpark. ;). Fairly sure last time I chatted with someone who's name started with D. His response was "Not going to happen". So there is always that.

PANiCnz

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#2267293 30-Jun-2019 12:42

Currently with Bigpipe, wouldn't recommend them if you value customer service. Their email only helpdesk is a massive PITA. Eyeing up a move to 2 Degree, only thing holding me back is having to pay $10 for a static IP.

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skewt

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#2267295 30-Jun-2019 12:50

Left Bigpipe recently, only downside was the email only support

If they decide not to reply to your email.. not much you can do

hio77

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#2267299 30-Jun-2019 13:00

BarTender:
I look forward to the day I can see my SIP credentials in MySpark. ;). Fairly sure last time I chatted with someone who's name started with D. His response was "Not going to happen". So there is always that.

SIP is a very different discussion.. tons of providers still dont offer this ;)

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richms

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#2267301 30-Jun-2019 13:17

hio77:

BarTender: I get voicemails via email is a nice bonus that I know Spark don't offer.

You say that like we dont change products ;)

Ahahahaha. Only when they are the last to change ;)

Richard rich.ms

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#2267310 30-Jun-2019 13:45

richms:

hio77:

BarTender: I get voicemails via email is a nice bonus that I know Spark don't offer.

You say that like we dont change products ;)

Ahahahaha. Only when they are the last to change ;)

Could be worse, could be 2d, they dont even have wireless landlines yet ;)

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richms

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#2267318 30-Jun-2019 14:10

hio77:

Could be worse, could be 2d, they dont even have wireless landlines yet ;)

They have skipped the whole attach the number to your house thing and let you have the "landline" on your portable twitter and facebook device that you carry with you. Much smarter solution IMO. Mind you the only reason to keep a "landline" is for calls from boomers so theres no reason for it these days.

Richard rich.ms

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#2267319 30-Jun-2019 14:14

@hio77 Not yet but watch this space ;)

Jase2985

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#2267327 30-Jun-2019 15:00

if you only use 150Gb per month then the 700-900Mbp plan is likely a massive overkill for you.

hio77

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#2267375 30-Jun-2019 16:53

Jase2985:

if you only use 150Gb per month then the 700-900Mbp plan is likely a massive overkill for you.

Maybe as an end user they simply dont like to wait for windows updates every week...

Kinda the same sort of reasons i'd go as high as possible. 99% of the time, wont need near it..

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