Now you may have read the news on BroadbandCompare NZ back in January that broadband plan prices were going up and we recommended comparing broadband plans in New Zealand. Well whilst we still very much live by that philosophy, credit where it is due to Spark Broadband.
In January Spark Broadband Price increases were announced as a result of the Commerce Commission announcing a significant increase in the amount that internet providers in NZ pay to Chorus (the network provider) to connect consumer broadband and business broadband in New Zealand to the historic copper telecom network.
What Spark Broadband also announced at the time was that they would review pricing and consider a credit or something for Spark Broadband customers because the price changes weren't backdated as the NZ Broadband companies thought they might be. This was the reason that in February of 2015 Spark Broadband increased some prices to customers still being served by the copper network on Spark ADSL or Spark Broadband VDSL. Anyway... as the price increase wasn't backdated Spark made a promise which they are keeping and if you are currently a Spark broadband customer there will be a pleasant surprise in your March bill. What sort of surprise? Well it is a nice one and pretty big news for Spark Broadband customers. Some free money by all accounts and it won't do their Spark broadband reviews any harm at all I'm sure :-)
Spark Broadband has announced it will return the money that it took by raising prices in 2015 following the decision to not backdate the higher Chorus lines charges from the Commerce Commission which was decided in January 2016. Not all Spark Broadband Plans will qualify for the refund as not all Spark broadband plans had the price hike applied in 2015. The savings will be given to eligible Spark broadband home plans and Spark Broadband business customers on affected Spark broadband and landline-only plans. Basically not to Spark Fibre Broadband customers.
Spark Broadband says Spark Home broadband customers will be able to go online to claim their savings as a $33 account credit on their monthly bill or put it towards a six months’ data upgrade to their Spark broadband plan (Moving your plan to a Spark unlimited data plan and worth from $60) or if feeling generous Spark customers can make a $33 donation to a cause of their choice on Givealittle. If you are simply a Spark ome landline-only customer then you receive a $33 account credit.
The maths has been crunched by the accounts boffins at Spark and the $33 equates to the net savings to Spark from the Commerce Commission decision. As you would imagine the guys at Spark Broadband are very happy to announce this news and it will be a big chunk of money they are paying back to their Spark Broadband customers. Let's hear from the CEO of Spark Home, Mobile and Business, Mr Jason Paris...
“Spark Broadband put up our prices in February last year after the Commerce Commission threatened to backdate higher Chorus charges from the previous December, at the time, we said that if there was no backdating, we would do the right thing and return savings where we could to our customers,” he says.
“While most broadband retailers increased their prices around the same time, to our knowledge we are the only NZ Broadband retailer who is now giving back to customers,” Paris adds.
“In recent weeks, Chorus and other industry players have confirmed they will not appeal the Commerce Commission’s final decision, and this certainty now means we can follow through on our commitment to return savings to our customers,” says Paris.
“We’re really pleased we can offer Spark broadband customers a range of choices in how they get their savings and it will only take a few quick minutes to go online and make their selection,” he adds.
Three cheers to Spark Broadband....
BUT...
Even when you apply the $33 savings from Spark Broadband to your account, with two price increases in the last 15 months - admittedly mostly as a result of circumstances outside of their control - Spark Broadband may still not be the best choice for your particular Broadband needs. Maybe you need to check out some Spark Broadband Reviews or you are not happy with the spark broadband speed?
So while your Spark Broadband plan is front of mind why don't you compare broadband plans in NZ and compare broadband providers with Broadband Compare and you might be able to save a big chunk on one of your major household bills and find the best broadband deals available.
Click through to our broadband comparison tool to find the best priced NZ broadband plan for you.
