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Thread ID: 142809	2016-09-15 08:46:00	Spark Wireless Broadband	rumpty (2863)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1426052	2016-09-15 08:46:00	A letter arrived from Spark today to advise me that they want to move their customers in my road to their new Wireless Broadband service. It will be more reliable than the copper, they say (not that I have ever had any trouble with the landline), and will cost the same or less than my current plan. Runs on the "super fast" 4G network. I just need to set up a new modem, and don't even need a technician to call. Does anyone know much about this, and have I missed something?	rumpty (2863)
1426053	2016-09-15 10:02:00	Didn't know about it but I've been testing 4G with my phone and am very impressed. 10-30 up and 20-50 down around my part of Hamilton over 5 tests. If that's consistent it's better than a lot of copper broadband.	dugimodo (138)
1426054	2016-09-15 23:29:00	Thanks for the comment dugimodo. Those speeds sound very good. I don't think fibre or VDSL is going to appear in my street any time soon, so this wireless broadband could be the way. I have misgivings, probably not justified, about giving up my copper landline for the phone though! I see now that Spark have the wireless broadband on their website. Any idea how long they have had this option?	rumpty (2863)
1426055	2016-09-15 23:49:00	Had the same thing 6 weeks ago from Spark Qualify for the RBI as there is going to be no upgrade from ADSL1 ,the product 80GB+Phone $109 the only cost is $14.00 postage of Modem and self install There are others that have the same plan but install costs that vary from $99 to $300 and (if you stay for 24 months you get it back) Going to have to change as ADSL1 is extreme 3rd world	Lawrence (2987)
1426056	2016-09-16 00:23:00	I'm going off the idea of wireless broadband. Spark info page talks about plugging your "existing phone" into the modem and it will work, but my existing phone is a corded one, and it will not work, according to the man at Spark. Only cordless phones will.	rumpty (2863)
1426057	2016-09-18 22:26:00	I think you do need cordless phones (eg externally powered) for it to work - grab a UPS if you're worried about not being able to use the phone when the power is out. (Doens't everyone have cellphones now anyway?) The other thing you can do, don't tell chorus, just casually snip the phone cable at your demarc point (obviously leaving plenty of length to re-connect at a later date) then plug the phone output from the modem into one of your phone jacks. Unless you have a massive house, all your phone jacks should 'ring' so you can connect multiple phones.	wratterus (105)
1426058	2016-09-19 06:06:00	The only reason I can see that a normal corded phone wouldn't work is if the output from the modem doesn't have the 50V dc feed to power it. I thought they did but I don't actually know. Would hurt anything to give it a try if you do get it though. Reminds me I should get rid of my cordless phones, haven't had a landline in quite a long time now.	dugimodo (138)
1426059	2016-09-19 06:30:00	I can't imagine Spark's Huawei modem putting out 50volts DC to power a corded phone, let alone the ringing voltage! But, there is no reason why an ATA could not be procured to do that job. As you say wratterus, the ouput from an ATA could then just be fed back in to the three phone jacks that I have, and all the present corded phones should work. I think.	rumpty (2863)
1426060	2016-09-22 22:44:00	I have taken the plunge, and Spark has changed my broadband connection from ADSL2 to the Wireless Broadband. A Spark person I rang said that the installer team were working along my road, and I should go and have a look for them if I had any questions. Which I did! Found them, and they offered to come to my house and install the new modem etc there and then. An offer I couldn't really refuse. So it is all working, broadband over 4G, a 60GB data allowance (same as my ADSL2 plan) and great u/l and d/l speed. Depending on which speedtest is used. And, surprise, surprise, the modem phone outlet has the hoped for compatible 50volts DC, and ringing, to drive an old style corded phone. Well, some old style corded phones anyway.	rumpty (2863)
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