Starlink v Spark Rural 4G

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Starlink v Spark Rural 4G

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#304052 31-Mar-2023 16:51

We live 20 mins or so out of Christchurch (not far from Lincoln and Rolleston in fact) and been on Spark Rural 4G for a few years. Works well for us mostly. Reasonably reliable and download speeds around 100mbs. But its capped at 350GB per month and paying $155 per month for that.

Have resisted Starlink up to now but there is now an offer with $199 install fee for Rural NZ. I cant see why I wouldn't take this and ditch Spark. I should get faster speed and, most importantly have it uncapped.

Have contacted Spark and they wont do anything for me - usual stuff around capacity on the tower etc. Which is interesting because during lockdown when caps were removed we were fine. And nothing has changed out here. in my view its just greedy and they could offer similar/same pricing as urban.

Are there any good reasons why I shouldn't move to Starlink? Most reports seem favourable.

thanks

SATTV

1670 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 657

ID Verified

#3057236 31-Mar-2023 17:56

What is Vodafone like in your area, there are a few Vodafone ( One ) resellers such as Netspeed that can halve that price.

https://netspeed.net.nz/mobile-broadband ( Used to be $99 unlimited ) Coastguard used to have the same deal but I cant see it on their website any more.

Hero have an unlimited option https://hero.co.nz/index.html#wirelessdsl and this can be used anyware in NZ I have been told.

I hope that helps.

I know enough to be dangerous

pjays

109 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 2

#3057254 31-Mar-2023 18:22

Thanks. Vodafone is not an option out here. Very poor reception

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13953

ID Verified

#3057336 31-Mar-2023 21:01

Any WISP in your area you could look at? Starlink is indeed an option, but if you want to support local...

halper86

555 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 156

ID Verified

#3057345 31-Mar-2023 21:21

Have you looked at Amuri net? They have unlimited RBI.
They look pretty local, and have their own WISP network too.

raytaylor

4076 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1296

Trusted

#3060426 9-Apr-2023 10:22

pjays:

offer with $199 install fee for Rural NZ.

The installation is they send you the kit - you install it. Normally that means running the cable out a window.

Ray Taylor

There is no place like localhost

Spreadsheet for Comparing Electricity Plans Here

tim0001

274 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 146

#3060643 9-Apr-2023 13:57

We’ve had Starlink for about 18 months, and it has been hugely better than any of the other options available to us (adsl or geo sat). However if we had a local WISP, I’d look at that first.

The main disadvantages of Starlink as I see it:

limited local support (Noel Leemings will give some support, probably more so if you buy the Product Protection plan for $33…)
if the dish breaks then it may take some time to get it sorted (Pays to have a backup plan such as: 4G, or a PTP link to your neighbour’s Starlink)
uses more power (around 40W), this may have an impact on your backup power solution.
a DIY install takes a bit of time to do properly. You will probably need to buy a mount.
it doesn’t have an Ethernet port as standard. (A $65 Ethernet Adaptor is required.)
the WiFi range is pretty average, you’re probably going to want a mesh
depending on where you are, the monthly cost is sometimes more than other options.

Dell

Shop now for Dell laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

boosacnoodle

1269 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 855

#3060721 9-Apr-2023 16:04

I mean... if capacity is not an issue in your area, you could sign up using an address in town then switch it on when you arrive home rurally. This will set the geo-lock at the rural location with Spark. For some reason - even if you are on a RCG exclusive tower - they don't seem to notice / care about this.

With that said, I had someone using said plan above and peak speeds always cratered. I was sceptical of Starlink but it's proven excellent. So easy for them to install and get running, plus 265/10Mbps speeds with sub-50ms latency.

RunningMan

9184 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 4834

#3060758 9-Apr-2023 19:39

boosacnoodle: [snip]

I mean... if capacity is not an issue in your area, you could sign up using an address in town then switch it on when you arrive home rurally. This will set the geo-lock at the rural location with Spark. For some reason - even if you are on a RCG exclusive tower - they don't seem to notice / care about this.

They do notice, don't do this. https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=299197&page_no=1#2956716

Tockly

353 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 88

#3060770 9-Apr-2023 20:59

I am based in South Wairarapa HAD a radio link from a local provider. While at the time it was the best option (read only) available to me (No data caps, 50Mbps(ish) & fixed IP) I have since moved to Starlink (No data cap, 200-250Mbps & no fixed IP) and haven't looked back.

The Starlink installation is incredibly easy, I was up and running within about 5 mins. Even did it twice as I thought there's no way it could be that easy!! Starlink has been faultless, even on days with heavy rain it's just trucked on. Both my teenage boys reckon it's better than the internet at most of their friends places!!

Why did I change from the Radio, mainly for the opposite reasons above. Every time it rained the connection was degraded. Every time it was windy (Happens A LOT around here) it dropped speed and needed to be aligned again. The guy running it was awesome and very helpful, but just couldn't provide the service I was after. Oh and it was costing me more than Starlink!

So, Yes I'd go with Starlink. Right now it's most likely the best option around.