Xtra has today unveiled its new broadband plans which include maximum downstream speeds across the board and an unlimited data option.
All plans will feature maximum downstream speeds giving customers speeds as fast as their line will allow.
The new ‘Go Large’ plan provides an unlimited amount of data for a set monthly price of $49.95.
Kevin Bowler Telecom’s GM of Consumer Marketing says the Go Large plan is excellent for households with a number of users and differing Internet needs.
“Families or people sharing a house won’t be slowed to dial-up speeds or get a surprise bill if the kids or flatmates use up the monthly data allowance – simply because there isn’t one.”
Mr Bowler says at just $10 more than Xtra’s most popular Go plan, ‘Go Large’ is an attractive upgrade option.
The new line-up also includes four plans that will offer both maximum upstream and downstream speeds.
Mr Bowler says with maximum speeds customers may find it easier to do things online that are bandwidth-intensive.
“Some customers will notice a difference in the time it takes to do things like download music from the Telecom music store, watch video or send and receive large email attachments.”
Mr Bowler says the speed increases will be less noticeable for more basic online activities like web surfing and email.
The new Xtra Broadband plans will be on sale from October 26, existing customers will also be migrated progressively from this date.
The Go Large plan includes a fair use policy designed to protect everyday customers from very high-volume data users disrupting traffic. To assist network performance, traffic management will apply to some activity, such as peer to peer applications, especially during peak times.
For more information on Xtra’s new broadband plans visit xtra.co.nz/unleashed
For media enquiries please contact:
Lenska Papich
09 359 5804
027 488 5142
lenska.papich@telecom.co.nz
New Xtra Broadband Plans
Plan name: Basic
Monthly price*: $29.95
Monthly data cap: 200MB
Additional data usage: 2c per MB
Connection speed (down/up): Max/128 kbps
Plan name: Go
Monthly price*: $39.95
Monthly data cap: 1GB
Additional data usage: Slowed to dial-up
Connection speed (down/up): Max/128 kbps
Plan name: Go Large
Monthly price*: $49.95
Monthly data cap: Unlimited. Fair use policy and traffic management applies
Additional data usage: Unlimited. Fair use policy and traffic management applies
Connection speed (down/up): Max/128 kbps
Plan name: Go Express
Monthly price*: $49.95
Monthly data cap: 2GB
Additional data usage: Slowed to dial-up
Connection speed (down/up): Max/Max
Plan name: Pro
Monthly price*: $79.95
Monthly data cap: 15GB
Additional data usage: 2c per MB
Connection speed (down/up): Max/Max
Plan name: Pro Advanced
Monthly price*: $99.95
Monthly data cap: 30GB
Additional data usage: 2c per MB
Connection speed (down/up): Max/Max
Plan name: Pro Ultra
Monthly price*: $149.95
Monthly data cap: 50GB
Additional data usage: 2c per MB
Connection speed (down/up): Max/Max
* Monthly charges apply to customers who have a Telecom land line and all their direct dial calling with Telecom. Plan price is an additional $10 for customers who do not have their land line and all their direct dial calling with Telecom.
New Zealand Internet service provider (ISP) Xtra, owned by telecommunication giant Telecom New Zealand, has today "unleashed" the downstream lines as fast as the line will allow. The speed could reach up to 7 megabits per second. All new plans will allow maximum downstream bandwidth, although upstream bandwidth will still be constrained. The maximum downstream bandwidth previously available was 3.5 megabits per second.

Neither Xtra nor ihug responded to questions sent via e-mail.

Along with the improved bandwidth, two new plans have been introduced. These include the ''Go Large'' which has no data cap and the ''Go Express'' which offers "fast upstream connection."

On September 26, 2006 Telecom announced the speed changes and Kevin Bowler, Telecom's general manager of Consumer Marketing, said: "With maximum speeds customers may find it easier to do things online that are bandwidth-intensive. Some customers will notice a difference in the time it takes to do things like download music... watch video or send and receive large email attachments."

Xtra says existing customers will be transferred onto the new plans progressively from October 26, 2006.