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Spark expands uncapped wireless broadband to another half-a-million New Zealanders

23 July 2021
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  • Spark has opened up its uncapped wireless broadband product, Unplan Metro, to more than half a million households – delivering uncapped connectivity to around 1.2 million New Zealand addresses across urban and rural areas.

    The expansion means that approximately two thirds of New Zealand addresses, including over 10% of rural households, can now stream their favourite shows and music, connect with loved ones, and work from home without having to worry about data caps.

    Spark Product Director, Tessa Tierney, said the company has a long-term goal to make unconstrained capacity available for all New Zealanders and is investing over $100 million every year into its mobile network to make that goal a reality.

    “We’re really happy to be able to take this next step toward uncapping New Zealand. We know Kiwis’ appetite for data is growing and as we continue upgrading and building more cell sites to increase capacity, we’re making uncapped broadband available to as many people as possible,” said Tessa.

    Wireless broadband works by connecting customers to the nearest cell tower, rather than relying on physical infrastructure like fibre or copper to the home. It is similar in speed to a 4G mobile connection and typically faster than ADSL broadband – making it particularly compelling for many rural customers who do not have access to fibre.

    In most cases, wireless broadband can be set up in minutes as there are no installation requirements, and because it runs through Spark’s mobile network, customers get end-to-end support, rather than dealing with multiple parties should they have a fibre or copper fault.

    Spark’s Unplan Metro offer flexes the price a customer pays based on their monthly usage, giving them the freedom to use more if they want, and enjoy savings when they use less. Prices start at just $65 for a base data usage of 0-60GB, $75 for 60-120GB and $85 for 120GB or more.*

    “This offer is available permanently to customers in more urban locations, as well as customers in rural areas where we have ample capacity due to new tower builds that have been delivered by our joint venture the Rural Connectivity Group,” says Tessa.

    “In other parts of rural New Zealand where we have great coverage but more limited capacity, we’re offering Unplan Metro for customers to sign up to before 6 September and retain the plan thereafter. This will enable us to closely monitor network performance and make sure we could continue to provide an excellent service in these areas if made permanent, given the added data use.”

    New and existing customers can check if they’re eligible for Spark’s Wireless Unplan Metro by visiting spark.co.nz/wireless or giving Spark a call on 123.

    Ends


    * Fair Use Policy applies


    Notes to the editor
    -    Spark is on a journey toward unconstrained capacity.
    -    In June last year, Spark increased data caps for its rural wireless broadband customers to 300GB per month.
    -    In September, the company removed data caps from its Wireless Unplan Metro offering, which at the time was available in urban areas only (reaching nearly a third of New Zealanders). A fair use policy applies.
    -    Building on this progress, in March of this year, Spark reduced the cost of its wireless broadband by offering its Unplan to approximately 10% of rural New Zealand, bringing the cost down by up to $71 a month in certain areas.
    -    Now Spark is expanding the uncapped Wireless Unplan metro offering, which is uncapped, to a broader range of customers – including within rural areas.
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Smantha Smith

Corporate Relations Partner
+64 210 362 968 | Sam.smith2@spark.co.nz

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