Can we supply a Jump modem to someone who already has an internet connection?

The Jump eligibility criteria make it very clear that Jump is for households without a broadband internet connection.  But this doesn’t stop people applying and putting forward their case.  In most cases we have accepted their application.  The scenarios we have accepted and those we have declined are summarised below.  Most of the 60 (2%) we have declined are because of no Skinny wireless coverage.

Accepted

1. A senior on a fixed income is struggling to maintain the cost of an ‘on account’ service.
2. An unemployed person can’t afford to keep a fixed line service.
3. I am in a self-contained 2-bedroom sleep-out without access to the internet.
4. Person living in rural community, referred by Health Services Provider, has the internet, but it’s too expensive.
5. My brother had a Skinny jump modem, but he no longer resides here.
6. Rural broadband is unreliable and insufficient for work and online learning for kids.
7. I only have access the the internet from my smartphone.
8. The other property with owners on site has internet, but I do not and cannot use their internet.
9. A rural family has a capped Vodafone service that is unreliable and stops working when the cap is reached. Requires a supplementary service for a high school student.
10. Wifi can not be installed in my Nana’s retirement village under current lockdown conditions. Jump is so much more affordable.
11. We are moving out of Mum’s house next week.
12. Previously had Jump modem, but modem lost in burglary.
13. There is a paid WiFi service in our accommodation but it is cost prohibitive at $100 per month.
14. Very inconsistent ADSL; not suitable for our needs.
15. Existing provider disconnected 4 months ago because of overdue fees.
16. My current internet connection cannot sustain work conference calls.
17. Broadband connection is very slow and unreliable.  It is not possible for 3 high school children and teacher to use for work/schooling.
18. I am unable to afford my next internet bill and will be disconnected before the end of the month.
19. Unable to afford data to join class.
20. We live in a camping ground.
21. Social housing tenant paying $129 per month for internet which she is struggling to maintain.
22. I am currently in a motel and not sure where we will end up after the lockdown.
23. I am in temporary emergency housing; the signal from the tower provides a very poor signal in my cabin.

Declined

1. A teacher working from home requires extra data to teach from home.
2. A migrant worker with an internet connection, but wanting a separate connection for his kids ‘to get online learning’.
3. Outside Skinny wireless coverage area.

For anyone wanting to switch from an existing service it is important that they understand the full impact of making the change, i.e.

1. Will they face any costs in terminating their existing connection; there could be an early termination fee if they are on a fixed term contract? Make sure they have contacted their existing provider to understand these costs, e.g. as a minimum there is likely to be a requirement for one month’s notice.
2. Do they fully understand the extra effort involved in managing a prepay account requiring regular top-ups?
3. Do they understand the data cap (150GB per month) that applies to Jump connections?

Author: Laurence Zwimpfer

I am committed to supporting the development of New Zealand as a digitally included nation, where everyone has equitable opportunities to benefit from the digital world. View all posts by Laurence Zwimpfer