Rural Wireless Broadband proving a game-changer

Monday, 30 November 2015, 10:39 am
Press Release: Spark

30 November 2015

Rural Wireless Broadband proving a game-changer for rural New Zealanders

Since launching Rural Wireless Broadband just over three months ago, more than 2000 of Spark’s rural customers are already benefitting from access to a much faster and a more reliable internet service using Spark’s 4G mobile network.

Following trials of the service in the Waikato earlier this year, Spark officially launched Rural Wireless Broadband, a ‘plug and play’ solution using the 4G network to provide a fast internet service to customers who have struggled to get adequate access to the internet in the past.

Spark’s Head of Mobility Products, David Redmore says: “The response to the service has been better than expected. Customers are telling us they love the simple setup of the device and the fast, consistent internet speeds they’re getting using the device, even during peak times.

“Rural Wireless Broadband has opened up a whole new way of doing things for many of our rural customers. In the past it could take customers’ up to 30 minutes to download a bunch of emails, now the same customers are doing things like streaming online TV episodes in HD, and surfing YouTube to find out how they can make the most out of their farming software.”

Mr Redmore says since its launch Spark has more than doubled the number of customers who can access Rural Wireless Broadband thanks to its unrelenting rollout of 4G across the country.

“After kicking off our rollout of 4G in the main city centres, we’ve focussed on delivering 4G to as many regional and rural areas as possible in the last 18-months. Thanks to those efforts we’ve now more than doubled the number of customers who can access Rural Wireless Broadband because 4G is now available in their area.”

In recent weeks Spark has expanded its 4G coverage to more parts of the Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, Manawatu, Masterton, Carterton, Marlborough, Hokitika, Westport, South Canterbury and Southland. To see if they have access to 4G services and are eligible for Rural Wireless Broadband customers can go to www.spark.co.nz/rural.

Mr Redmore says the response to the 30-day money back guarantee which is offered alongside the purchase of Rural Wireless Broadband, has also helped prove the product’s success.

“We’re pleased that less than one-percent of all customers who’ve signed up to the service have returned the device, telling us customers are pretty happy with the quality and consistency of their internet connection using the 4G mobile network.”

Spark’s self-install Rural Wireless Broadband service is different from a number of other products because it operates on the fast 4G network and does not require a technician to install the product or any external antenna’s - saving customers valuable time and money.

ends

© Scoop Media