We've recently had fibre installed along with Spark's "Smart Modem".Only issue so far is that, because out networked printer is only powered up when needed, it gets a new IP addressed assigned every time it boots up. Mildly annoying when you go to print & things just hold in the queue.Not a problem on old ADSL modem, but no obvious on Spark's modem admin page as to where to set a fixed address for a given device.Any clues, or step-by-step guide, on how to do this for this modem?Thanks in advance.
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Spark Smart Modem - Adding fixed IP address for printer
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Upstream Speeds on the New Endless Plans
Hi all, I have switched to Spark and taken up the new 3GB Endless Data plan. I have noticed the upstream speed seems to always limited to 1.5Mbps. Downstream is around 50Mbps which is fine. Is the upstream intended to be limited to the 1.5Mbps?I have been using the Speedtest app and with various servers. Any suggestions?
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Bigpipe - PPPoE disconnecting every 4 hours - PLEASE HELP
My Bigpipe fibre service is being disconnected every 4 hours reliably as per the below thread. Have raised a support ticket online, however it mentions high volumes of requests and haven't had a human response yet. Also not sure if that response will be a suggestion to turn it off and on again despite obviously being the issue below. Can someone at Bigpipe/Spark please help me? I will PM you my email or UFF PIID. I will be forever grateful :)https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=39&topicid=247727 Below from PFsense router:May 26 13:33:39 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #229 (Opened)May 26 17:33:42 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #151 (Opened)May 26 21:33:45 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #52 (Opened)May 27 01:33:48 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #181 (Opened)May 27 05:33:50 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #40 (Opened)May 27 09:33:51 ppp [wan_link0] LCP: rec'd Terminate Request #219 (Opened)
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Remote management over WAN of Spark Smart Modem
Is it possible to setup remote access (from WAN side) into the new Spark Smart Modems and lock it down to one IP? I've not got one to play with to see if it can be done. Thanks!
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Spark 240Gb Rural Wireless Broadband - Rollover or use-it / lose-it?
We have 240G rural wireless broadband and are in the first month of contract.Can anyone please advise whether we can rollover unused data on our 240Gb cap to next month, or if we don't use it do we lose it? Thanks & regards,
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Would you recommend Bigpipe?
I'm moving to a new address soon and agonising over choosing an ISP. I want to get that high-speed 900/450 type connection. I've been doing as much research as I can stand, and I've read a lot of opinions, but I haven't actually found a lot of strong opinions at all about BigPipe. At the moment I'm thinking that it seems to cost $109 a month vs less than $100 for the same speed from a few other ISPs, which makes me curious.What does my extra $10 a month get me?
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It's 2020 Skinny (Voicemail)
Why the heck are we still paying to check voicemail.Spark/Skinny are you that desperate for money?Networks in New Zealand need to join the rest of the networks around the world and stop charging for this service. [Mod edit (MF): no need for expletives]
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Skinny Jump question
Anyone from Spark/Skinny watching?Q: Is the Skinny Jump modem being delivered during lock-down?Reason for asking is that an elderly friend (Wellington) contacted a 'dealer' and signed up about a week ago.
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Wireless BB Data use logging
Using Wireless Broadband, Huawei B315s modem. There is a screen in the modem setup that used to display monthly data use, but these days it has reverted to showing what seems to be daily use. The screen title still says Monthly Data Usage though. Does anyone know how I can get it back to monthly data use please?
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Configuring D-link DWR-956 4G Router on Spark network
I'm currently on Spark's Rural Broadband internet plan which came with a Huawei B315s-607 router.Which has been pretty good for most of the last few years, but not without a few limitations regarding wi-fi coverage around the house, as well some dips in 4G network connectivity. It was suggested by a few people that I should look into buying a 3rd party router which should improve network connectivity as well as extending the wi-fi range (comparative to the supplied router)So after looking online for 4G routers, I settled on the D-link DWR-956 as it 'supported' Sparks network.However, I've not been able to get it to connect to the network.... * The retailer has suggested reading the manufacturers manual, and failing that raising a ticket with d-link customer support.* Spark has stated they don't support non-Spark provided routers. But I should just be able to put the SIM card in, follow the routers installation wizard and wished me good luck.* I've read a few forums, but most of it is far beyond my technical level (I've tried different APNs including an APN suggested by Spark that I hadn't seen in any forums, but no luck - or more likely I'm just trying stuff without knowing enough to get it right) so, has anyone had any success in setting up a non-Spark router on the 4G network.... or is it a case of the supplied SIM being somehow locked to the supplied router? Any help would be very much appreciated.
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Spark Fibremax speeds vary dramatically
I'm hoping someone on here has either experienced this before, or know how to fix the issue. My knowledge is limited on what the cause might be, but this is the situation and what I have tried to date.Here is a screencap of the problem. ISSUE:I pay for Fibremax so expect to get 900+Mbps dl speeds consistently. This isn't the case. I DO achieve the advertised speeds but at intermittent times that appear to be random. My speedtest results vary from 900+Mbps down to 90-odd, the drop happens at any time and not following a specific pattern or network activity (from what I can tell). I have stress-tested the network and when I have all my Laptops/PC's running, devices streaming and conference calls happening, it barely dipped below 650 Mbps. So it is not excessive traffic causing the drop. It appears to be a switch, setting or hardware causing the drop and I don't know how or where to look for it.Spark insist they see 1GB speeds to my property but I am obviously losing that somewhere internally. They have had the fault open for a few months now but, in their defense, Covid lockdowns happened and the friendly call center operator on the case based in the sub-continent was likely affected by this so I have not pressed the issue. I am happy to try and solve it myself but not sure what it could be. WHAT I HAVE TRIED:Asked Spark for help - this did not work and they suggested arbitrary troubleshooting which I had tried already. They had me running weekly speedtest.net tests to monitor which they didn't do anything with. I sent the results to them regularly under various conditions.Changed Ethernet cables between Spark Modem and PC's - all cables are Cat6 so that shouldn't be the problemUnplugged all devices and only tested using 1 device at a time - couldn't isolate the problem, still variable speeds UNKNOWNS:Could the Enable ONT be the problem, is it possible to replace it?Could the standard Spark modem be the issue? I attempted to upgrade from the standard Spark modem (VRV9517) early this year but Spark said it should be fine and I must stick with their modem etc etc. I work from home so was more than happy to purchase a proper modem, so I seriously hope it isn't their modem falling over due to some irritating parameter I don't know about.Could the issue be with the Ethernet cabling from the ONT to the rest of the house? I assumed that if I am able to achieve 900+ (even intermittently), that the cables aren't the issue. Does anyone know what causes a speed drop to 10% of what it should be?
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Restricted data on wireless broadband products
Posting following an conversation in the office this moming...We live in a rural area and are shortly to get cellphone and wireless broadband coverage from a new tower provided as part of the Rural Broadband Initiative 2 and the Mobile Black Spot roll-out.Unfortunately while the speed of those wireless broadband connections are great - a big improvement over the copper alternative - the data caps make it prohibitive for us and a significant portion of us locally who use more data (gaming, streaming TV etc etc)Don't mistake this for a complaint - I accept that choosing to live in a rural area comes with benefits and disadvantages.What I'm curious to understand why the data needs to be capped. I'm presuming there's a technical reason. Given we are unlikely to have the option of fibre I'm interested to know where the bottle neck is and if the data caps are likely to increase over time. Hoping someone here will know the answer to such matters!
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unable to acess Spark HG659b router web page
Hello,As of this morning, I cannot open my Spark router (HG659b) web page as Bitdefender now blocks it with the following message."http://192.168.1.254/atpscriptall_/lang/en/device_info_res.js/lang/en/user_login_res.js/lang/en/wizard_res.js/lib/base64.js/js/user_login.js?HG659bHG659bV100R001C227B0221234567890 Threat name: JS:Trojan.Cryxos.391"The Router home page has this listed "Missing translation: UserLogin.GateWay_info"Can anyone give me advice on this or how to remove if it is a threat?It was working fine yesterday and I have run virus scan with Bitdefender, but came back okay.Thanks,David
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Will there ever be visual voice mail
@hio77 , Do you know if there is ever going to be visual voicemail at all ??.Does anybody else have any experience with 3rd party visual voicemail providers. I see Vxt are they pretty good and what are their costs ??
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Upgrading my plan - anyone able to help?
Been with Spark since Telecom days, and I have just had my first problem that I can not seem to have solved :-( Short version: I want to give Spark more money but am struggling. Any one here able to help? TLDR Version: I am currently on the $79.99 unlimited plan wanting to move to the $99.99 plan.First tried a store on 1st June. First chap in store could not process the plan change, moved it to his manger in store. She was unable to move my plan in-store. Manager requested I just use the spark app, and request new plan that way, not a problem, said done and would take up to four hours to change, received the email confirmation, happy as.Tuesday 2nd June, woke up to no change, just left it, thought it might take a full business day. Weds 3rd June at about 7pm still no change, so went to online chat, 23mins into that chat i received "I'm encountering an error when trying to change your plan to $99.99", then notes there is a ticket raised on my account from the in store staff on Monday, He would get back to me with an answer. He asked me to wait while he tries to resolve the issue, 52 mins later chat ended as he was unable to change the plan for me. Thursday 4th June about 4:30 pm i start another online chat to see if they can help or have an update. 8 mins into chat, I'm told I need to speak to the spark collections team to reactivate my account. - Note: at this stage i am very confused, as I was currently on the phone in question thats not active? with a zero balance showing online as its direct debit payment, so was a tad confused. Moments later, I am told " I have successfully processed your request". Great news :-) 11 Mins later in the chat i then get told "I am have some error with my tool here it is hardly lagging" "For easier and fast transaction you can dial up *123" he then says I will get a call back tomorrow morning, chat ends. Friday 5th June 8am call up from spark, 14min call ended with the tech telling me cant change the plan as he is receiving "Unwanted errors" at his end. Was told i would receive a phone call from a superior soon. Here I am at 3pm with no call back still and still on the $79.99 plan.
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Download Xtra email files
Hey, my parents have been with with spark for a very long time now and when they signed up they got an xtra account which now has years worth of correspondence with customers. I know its silly getting an email with an ISP but hey back then they didn't know any better. Does anyone know of a way to download all emails? It doesn't need to be re-uploaded anywhere we just need it for our records. Cheers!
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Unreliable roaming -- foreign carrier (T-Mobile) roaming on Spark
Not exactly sure where to post this but this forums seems appropriate.I have a U.S. SIM (a MVNO using T-Mobile roaming arrangements) that I use for data access from time to time. T-Mobile have two roaming partners in NZ, Spark (3G/4G) and Vodafone (3G only roaming). Since I use it mainly for data access, I usually force it to stay on Spark's 4G network, as 3G roaming is usually unbearably slow.However, the connection is unreliable at best.Problem starts with registering with the Spark network. It almost never works first time, and sometimes I'd have to leave it be for a couple of days before the SIM could register on the Spark network. I've noticed, however, that: 1. If I disable 4G, the registration process tends to be more consistent 2. When switching from 3G to 4G, or when registering on 4G directly, I must be an area with FDD-LTE B28 coverage. It appears that the Spark network only permits the SIM to use the B28 network. I could reliable reproduce this with Mobile Signal Guru -- if I disable B28, it'd be stuck on No Service, if I disable all other bands and leave only B28 enabled, the registration would go through fine 3. Once attached to the 4G network, switching bands doesn't seem cause any issues -- however, a move between cell sites could leave me with No Service againEven if I stay stationary, there's a chance that service might drop after a few minutes or hours. It seems completely random to me.I should mention that Spark has stellar coverage in my area, I also have a SIM from CMHK, which stays on the Spark 4G network with no issue at all.I've tried reaching out to the carrier (blamed T-Mobile), T-Mobile (blamed Spark), and Spark online chat, but have so far yielded nothing. Perhaps someone from Spark could shed some light on this issue?Thanks anyways
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Question about moving over to Skinny Mobile
I'm currently on a pay monthly mobile plan with Vodafone. If I wish to keep the same number, would I have to order the Skinny SIM card online? Or is it possible for me to purchase a Skinny SIM from the local pak n save and just transfer my number onto it somehow? Also, would I have to contact Vodafone to cancel my pay monthly plan before I make the switch to Skinny? Would switching to Vodafone prepay first be a better option that to cancel a pay monthly plan? (I read somewhere about some 30 days notice but can't seem to find it anymore)Trying to switch over in the quickest and smoothest way possible. Thanks in advance.
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Xtra Mail password, possible security flaw?
Hi EveryoneI was trying to login to my Xtra webmail account and noticed the password field is not case sensitive.Is this intentional or a bug?
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Spark fixed wireless - is an external antenna worth it?
Hi all, got a client on Spark's rural 4G with a B315, no external antenna. They would be around 2km or so from a cell tower, through some trees, pretty sure you'd be able to see the tower over the crest of a hill if the pines weren't there. Speeds seem to burst to around 25mbps down max, and settle around 10mbps both ways, which isn't terrible, and may just be what it is in this location, they are just keen to get whatever they can out of it. I've attached the stats below from the modem - could anyone with more knowledge than myself let me know if an external antenna will actually make a meaningful difference (or a different/better modem)? As they are getting around -71dBm, I think that is pretty strong for a 4G signal already? Any thoughts appreciated. Thank you!
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