Spark joins 2degrees with unlimited data

Spark building on Victoria St, Auckland. Photo / File

Spark today announced an unlimited data plan following in the heels of 2degrees' new plan revealed on Monday.

The Spark plan will cost $129.99 a month, only $1 more than 2degrees plan.

Both offers come with a catch. Spark is being upfront about throttling users, saying speeds will be slowed after 22gb of data has been used. 2degrees has yet to specify if it will be taking such an action and how much data use would trigger it.

2degrees is only offering the unlimited data plan on a trial basis, while Spark appears to be going ahead with it.

Chief marketing officer for 2degrees, Roy Ong, said unlimited data is what the market has been asking for,

"Kiwis are increasingly data hungry, they're consistently telling us they want and need more data, so we're going to test the waters with this new plan," Ong said.

"2degrees has a proud history of being an innovator and challenger, we introduced the first unlimited voice plan in 2010, we believe in leading the way and trying new things with our customers.

"We're being really upfront about the fact that this is a bit of a trial for us and the market. It has to work for customers but it also has to be economic - if it doesn't stack up on either of those aspects we will rethink continuing to offer it."

2degrees has been plagued with complaints over the past two months. Following an internal upgrade, customers were unable to top up their phones and had limited use of online services.

The telco was forced to hire roughly 80 temporary staff to clear a backlog of complaints and issues.