New peaks in roaming data use during the cup

Monday, 9 November 2015, 10:26 am
Press Release: Spark NZ

Spark customers reach new peaks in roaming data use during the cup

Spark also extends Roaming Value Pack to include USA, China, and the Pacific

Spark UK Roaming usage – high quality version attached.

Spark revealed today that New Zealanders roaming in the United Kingdom used more data, minutes, and texts than ever before, after Spark released a new $49 Roaming Value Pack just in time for the tournament.

Monthly data use doubled from the beginning of September to the end of October, coinciding with all the action on the field. Year-on-year data use for October grew by nearly 800%, while the number of customers in the UK in October increased 2.5 times over the same period.

During the tournament, data use grew steadily through the pool rounds but exploded during the knockout rounds, with daily data use more than 1.5 times at the peak than at the beginning of the tournament. Minutes and texts enjoyed a steady growth in use right across the tournament but texts in particular peaked on game day at the business end of the tournament also.

Spark Head of Mobility Products, David Redmore, says this huge increase in usage shows Spark customers realising the value of the new Roaming Value Pack.

“We know people love sharing their experience the games with friends and family back home and so we wanted to allow them to do it without worrying about the cost. As you can see from the results, our customers took full advantage!” says Redmore.

Eight new countries now eligible for Roaming Value Pack

The great reception the new value pack received drove Spark to look at ways to extend it to even more travellers, particularly those going to popular destinations like the US, Asia, and the Islands.

Now, alongside the UK, people travelling to the USA, China, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea can also get the new $49 Roaming Value Pack.

“Even though the cup is over, the trend is still there with big increases in roaming usage year-on-year, particularly in data, and we want to make sure that Spark customers can get the best deals while roaming. The new countries covered by the $49 Roaming Value Pack cover some of the most popular destinations for kiwi travellers after Australia,” says Redmore.

The $49 Roaming Value Pack includes 100 incoming and outgoing minutes, 100 texts, and 500MB of data over a month for only $49. People travelling to the USA, China, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Nauru, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea can now also get packs and deals previously only available in the UK. These include 1GB over one week Roaming Data Pack for $49 and standard rates of $2.49/$1 per minute for outgoing/incoming calls, 80c per text message, and $10 for 200MB of data per day.

Pay monthly Spark customers roaming to these destinations can buy the Roaming Value and Data Packs through the Spark App or online atm.spark.co.nz/yt.

More information, terms and conditions, and standard rates can be found at www.spark.co.nz/roaming.

ENDS

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