Laurence Zwimpfer

Modem returns

We have experienced problems with returned modems not being correctly re-set. This has surfaced because partners try to re-issue a modem but find it is already assigned to a Skinny account. The reset process is supposed to both de-link the modem from the original account and add a new $10/30GB, so the modem is ready for re-issue.

But even when this happens correctly, partners are often faced with incomplete equipment returns. Typically, the user manual and packaging are missing as well as the yellow ethernet cable.

The Spark Foundation does not want Spark Jump families feeling they are getting secondhand equipment, especially without the packaging or with parts missing. The Foundation has therefore decided to recall all returned equipment for refurbishment and/or repair. Equipment suitable for re-use will then be supplied as new equipment in a new box, complete with all accessories. These will not be returned directly to the delivery partner, but will be distributed with other new equipment. The big advantage of this process is that when the modems arrive, partners can have confidence that they are ready for re-issue.

So, what do partners need to do when they receive a returned modem?

Complete the online form for returned modems here. Please use your physical site address (not a PO Box). This online form was previously used for faulty modems, but has now been upgraded to cover all returns. Partners can also link to this from their Spark Jump Google registers by clicking on cell F2 (‘Returned Modems’).
This will result in a prepaid pre-addressed courier envelope being sent to the partner.
Simply insert the returned modem with any packaging and accessories and call the courier company to collect.
That’s it. It is unlikely you will ever see this particular modem again, but if you do, you can be confident it be the same as new one.
Our Spark Jump support team also receives a copy of the online form and will redline (shade red) the Google register entry. This means the modem has been withdrawn and is being sent for refurbishment/repair.
If a courier bag does not arrive within 7-10 days, please contact our support team on 0800 463 422.

Spark Jump Test Modems

A number of partners have requested use of a Spark Jump modem as a Test Modem, i.e. one that they can use for training and for testing performance in marginal coverage areas. Spark Foundation has approved this use, which is generally limited to one unit per delivery partner. Someone needs to be accountable for the Test Modem and must complete an online Kawa of Care with contact name and address. We suggest that the School field in the Kawa of Care be used to identify this as a Test Modem, as well as a note in the Comments field (column H) of the Spark Jump register. The pre-loaded $10 will expire after 30 days, as for other Spark Jump modems, and partners have the choice of topping up to retain the modem as a test unit, or advising DIAA (sparkjump@diaa.nz) that the modem can be reset for re-issue.

Spark Give Vouchers

Many of our partners will be aware of the Spark Give scheme, whereby Spark staff have the opportunity to make a contribution each pay day to a programme that they would like to support. A large number of staff have selected the Spark Jump programme, with most contributing $5 every fortnight. This means that each month these staff members contribute $10, which is the cost of one Spark Jump voucher. The Spark Foundation matches this contribution and each quarter allocates vouchers to its Spark Jump partners. For the last two quarters, DIAA, as a Spark Foundation partner, has received around 500 $10 Spark Jump vouchers. These in turn are distributed to delivery partners in the regions nominated by Spark staff.

Delivery partners have the discretion to allocate these vouchers to Spark Jump families who they feel could benefit the most. We have received very positive feedback from recipient families who are very grateful for this extra support. $10 might not seem a lot, but when you are facing financial difficulties this can make the difference between retaining the internet or having to let it go.

Partners are expected to account for vouchers that they receive by entering details of recipients in the second tab of their Spark Jump registers. The number of new vouchers entered each quarter is allocated by DIAA in row 3. Partners are expected to record the names of recipients and the number of vouchers allocated to each family.

If you are in a region that has not yet received any vouchers, that means Spark staff have not yet nominated your region, so this might be a good chance to persuade any friends or family who work for Spark to nominate your region for their Spark Give payroll programme.

Stepping UP Activity Reports

In the transition to DIAA, we have dropped the ball with respect to the Partner Stepping UP Activity Reports. The reports for Term 2 should have been distributed during the July school holidays. We are remedying this situation and expect to have Term 2 reports to you shortly with Term 3 reports scheduled for the next school holidays (first two weeks of October).

Four Spark Jump partners were first equal in August

Every month we count how many Spark Jump modems have been issued by each delivery partner and the partner who achieves the greatest number wins a free morning tea for all their staff, funded by the Spark Foundation. In August, four partners were first equal, signing up 11 families each – De Paul House (Auckland), Linwood Library (Christchurch), Masterton Library and Nga Tai o Te Awa (Whanganui). When this occurs, our practice has been to award the morning tea to the partner who hasn’t received a Spark Foundation Morning Tea before, but in this case we have two partners in this situation – De Paul House and Nga Tai o Te Awa. Spark Foundation came to our rescue by agreeing to provide two free morning teas for August. So well done to all four partners – you are really making waves in supporting your communities.

The Leader Board for Spark Jump signups is updated continuously and can be viewed here (tip: scroll to the bottom of the page). The numbers are based on completed Kawa of Care.

Spark Jump Registers-recording family details

Every DIAA Spark Jump delivery partner is assigned a confidential Google sheet for use as a Spark Jump register. This records details of modems assigned to each partner as well as contact details for each participating family. For privacy reasons, access to these registers is restricted to the people directly involved in helping families set up Spark Jump internet connections.

Participants are asked to record their contact details in the online Kawa of Care as part of the set-up process. These details are then transferred by DIAA’s Spark Jump team to the delivery provider’s Spark Jump register.

Our preference is for programme participants to complete the online Kawa of Care before they leave the venue where they have activated their modem. There is then no need for delivery partners to enter any participant details in the Google register; this will be entered the same working day by the DIAA team.

However, some partners prefer that participants complete a paper-based copy of the Kawa of Care, and then use this to enter the details themselves in the online version at a later date. In this case, delivery partners should immediately enter the name of the participant in the Google register (columns B and C) as well as the date the modem was issued (column E) .

Kawa of Care updates

The most recent updates to the Kawa of Care have caused some confusion and this has been fixed this morning. A new field was added to record the modem’s broadband number, referred to as the Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN). This is a number used to identify a mobile phone number internationally and normally has New Zealand’s country code at the beginning (e.g. 64 204 123 6119).

We know this has caused some confusion because references on the modem itself and the Skinny website do not use the formal technical name. So we think it is simpler to just refer to this as the Broadband Number and use this number which is printed on the underside of the modem (the 11-digit number, e.g. 0204 123 6119).

Spark Foundation has made this amendment to the Kawa of Care this morning.

DS31 – Spark Jump Updated

The Spark Jump lesson plan (DS31) has been updated in response to two issues raised by delivery partners:

(1) Confusion with passwords. Some people seem to get confused between their email password and their Skinny password. When signing up to Skinny, families will be asked to choose a password (at least 8 characters, one upper case and one numeric). Even though the Skinny username is the family’s email address, we suggest that families choose a new password that meets the criteria above for Skinny passwords. Families should be asked to write this down somewhere so they don’t try using their email password to access their Skinny accounts.

(2) Getting Help. A new section has been added to DS31. This explains that if families have any trouble with their modems, or in accessing their Skinny accounts, they should contact the Skinny Helpdesk on 0800 4SKINNY (0800 475 4669). If they move to a new address, they can update this online themselves (through their Skinny account) or contact the DIAA Helpdesk by emailing sparkjump@diaa.nz or phoning 0800 GoDIAA (0800 463 422).

Spark Jump Q&A

Earlier this year Spark Jump delivery partners participated in a series of briefings for budget advisers around the country. Arising from these briefings were numerous questions about the programme and as a result we compiled a Q&A to address the issues raised. This is a rich resource of information for referral agencies and delivery partners. Please let us know if you have any new questions that we can add to the Q&A.

Spark Jump Modem orders

With the transfer of Spark Jump support from 20/20 Trust to DIAA from 1 August 2018, partners should place all requests for modems by emailing sparkjump@diaa.nz. Tom is now responsible for distributing modems and these will generally be couriered on Wednesdays and Fridays. Modems should be received by delivery partners within two working days. Requests should be made no later than 12 noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays to meet these timings.

To help make sure that partners never run out of modems, we are monitoring closely the stock each partner is holding. When the number of unallocated modems held by any partner drops below 5, we check your level of activity and if necessary will send another box of modems without waiting for your request.

Some partners request large numbers of modems just in case they run short. But we encourage everyone to order small quantities frequently, rather than hold large stocks. We currently have 700 modems in the pipeline – these are ones that have been couriered to a partner but have not yet been allocated to a family. Our goal is to reduce this number as much as possible without upsetting the smooth delivery of the programme. So unless you have a special Spark Jump event planned, please limit your requests to 5 or 10 modems (one or two boxes).