Are we missing a Grey Dollar offering

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openmedia

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#289478 8-Sep-2021 13:16

This talk about the new Chorus changes has reminded me of a regular request from some older relatives for a cheaper and more appropriate bundle offering.

Internet connection doesn't have to be fast as majority of the use would be facebook or messaging with the odd video call.

Land line or mobile - mostly for emergency use but unlimited TXT on mobile would be a plus

Ideally in the sub $30/month price mark - although one relative asked what their options are for a sub $100/year offering given their limited budget on a pension.

Another relative can't understand why can't simply stream NZ FTA channels at no cost given they already receive them on a TV aerial, so full access to NZ FTA broadcasts would be another bonus.

Thoughts?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

pab

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#2774468 8-Sep-2021 13:27

Skinny jump perhaps?

https://www.skinny.co.nz/jump/home/

openmedia

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#2775279 9-Sep-2021 13:21

pab: Skinny jump perhaps?

https://www.skinny.co.nz/jump/home/

That looks like a step in the right direction. What I'm usually being asked for is more of a full package - simple single point billing.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

Dynamic

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#2775589 9-Sep-2021 17:28

I've not come across Skinny Jump before. What a fantastic offer for those households where standard broadband is not within reach. Nice one, Spark / Skinny. 👍

Agreed that something similar where you can plug an analog phone in to get a landline for the elderly or those on low incomes would be something great to see. Free calls only (local, 0800, etc) would be fine.

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Handle9

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#2775593 9-Sep-2021 17:48

openmedia:

Another relative can't understand why can't simply stream NZ FTA channels at no cost given they already receive them on a TV aerial, so full access to NZ FTA broadcasts would be another bonus.

They have also free access to water from the sky. If they want to provide their own water infrastructure they can access it. If they want to use the local water system that costs money.

openmedia

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#2775874 10-Sep-2021 10:07

Handle9:

openmedia:

Another relative can't understand why can't simply stream NZ FTA channels at no cost given they already receive them on a TV aerial, so full access to NZ FTA broadcasts would be another bonus.

They have also free access to water from the sky. If they want to provide their own water infrastructure they can access it. If they want to use the local water system that costs money.

Belize me - you don't want to get them started on why they have to pay for water.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

antonknee

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#2775918 10-Sep-2021 11:37

Skinny Jump is probably the one here really... that is a charitable effort however designed specifically to bridge the digital divide, and doesn't offer phone service.

On a commercial basis I doubt anything would get below that $40/mo price point Vodafone has for their "gold" offering, as I would say that barely covers costs. Includes national calling though.

Mobile wise I remember Spark used to have "gold" plans for 65+ but they were awful value from memory.

It's a tricky thing right, because the digital divide is rough already for older people, and for many (not all) money is tight. But equally there are costs to provide services - maybe more charitable offerings, maybe government subsidy? Hard to say what the right approach and balance is.

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rugrat

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#2775943 10-Sep-2021 12:40

antonknee:

Mobile wise I remember Spark used to have "gold" plans for 65+ but they were awful value from memory.

Depends on use case. My mum is getting great value out of $15 one. She doesn’t have a phone that uses data, and nearly all her calls are to landlines.

She is in a rest home that provides internet, 50 up and 50 down, so the Spark mobile plan is gold for her.

sen8or

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#2776011 10-Sep-2021 12:58

Recently put my inlaws on the Vodafone $40 plan, was very easy, cheaper than what they were paying to Spark for a copper landline and utilised their existing hardware (plug in desk style phone powered by the phoneline). No good for streaming, youtube etc (except on limited basis), but plenty of data to use and still free calling to landlines and their phone rings as normal which was important to them.