New Zealand operator Spark will waive data overage charges for all customers who are on data-capped fixed and wireless broadband plans and are at risk of losing access if they cannot afford to go over their existing data limits. This applies to both consumer and small and medium business customers until Auckland moves down from Alert Level 3. When New Zealand first entered lockdown in March this year, Spark lifted broadband data caps, providing customers across the country with over 7,200 terabytes of free data over 100 days.
Spark customers are reminded that while network traffic will be monitored to ensure fair use and an optimal experience for all customers, there may be congestion during peak periods. Spark is currently speaking to large online content providers to encourage a return to the bitrate capping policies that were put in place during New Zealand’s first lockdown, which helped internet service providers manage peak network loads by reducing the resolution of streamed content.
For customers experiencing financial hardship as a result of Covid-19, Spark introduced a new Hardship Policy in July that provides several options to help them stay connected wherever possible. These can include restricting services to avoid extra charges, implementing a short-term payment extension, or applying to put an Extended Credit Arrangement in place over a longer period to keep monthly payments lower and more manageable.
Spark also continues to roll out its not-for-profit broadband service dubbed ‘Skinny Jump’, connecting an additional 4,500 homes since the first Covid-19 lockdown. Skinny Jump is provided through a network of community partners for people who cannot currently afford a broadband connection, and discounted costs of NZD 5 for 30GB of data (up to 150GB for NZD 25 per month).
