CallPlus launches unlimited UFB plans for business, schools

CallPlus will shortly become the second of the big five ISPs (after Orcon) to launch fibre plans based around the government-backed Ultrafast Broadband (UFB) roll-out - at least for business and schools.

There are three plans, with the same pricing for schools - one offering 30Mbit/s up and 30Mbit/s down ($130 ex GST/$149 incl GST), one 50/50 ($150 ex GST/$172.50 incl GST) and one at the full fibre speed of 100/100 ($280 ex GST/$322 incl GST).

The three business plans will have the same pricing, but slower upload speeds (which won't be detailed until next week).

There is no joining fee (NBR is still trying to clarify if that means no fee for connecting fibre from the kerb).

VoIP or SIP (internet calling) phone lines cost an extra $15 ex GST each (see CallPlus' fibre calculator for more pricing. The calculator is for the school plans; more detail on the business plans will be released next week).

Unlimited data - with a catch
While Orcon is offering free fibre until the end of this year (with extra charges for full speed or a larger data cap), CallPlus' selling point is unlimited data (which will run across the three plans).

Those on copper/DSL connections with CallPlus sub-brand Slingshot will already be able to guess the catch.

CallPlus CEO Mark Callander duly confirmed it to NBR last night:

"The only restriction on the unlimited plans will be in relation to peer-2-peer traffic [often used for sharing software, movies and music, not always legally] which has actually been requested from many of the businesses and schools that we have engaged with – the majority of this online activity does impact business productivity and then of course there is the issue of copyright."

Home plan on the way
CallPlus home fibre plans (under its Slingshot brand) will be announced in a few weeks.

Will the home plans be unlimited?

The company is giving it "serious consideration," Mr Callander said.

Certainty over data charges
Orcon recently said it had just 200 fibre customers (although it had a more robust 8500 on a wait-list).

Mr Callander said certainty about data caps was essential for the business market as uncertainly about data usage (and the cost of excess charges) was a barrier to switching.

The CallPlus boss aid his company's business plans would have a focus on "a complete telecoms solution" involving voice video and data. "Other service providers will be more concerned about protecting margin on traditional voice and broadband services instead of unleashing the full potential that fibre can offer."

Telecom, Vodafone and TelstraClear have yet to reveal their plans.