Orcon announces unlimited broadband plans

New Zealand internet service provider Orcon has announced an unlimited broadband plan for $99 per month. But is it really unlimited?

By Siobhan Keogh | Monday, 24 September, 2012

New Zealand internet service provider Orcon has announced an unlimited broadband plan for $99 per month.

The deal also includes unlimited New Zealand landline-to-landline calling with Orcon Genius.

“Data use is skyrocketing – and the time is right for families, flats and big fans of the internet to make sure they don’t get bill shock – and can use the internet when they want, how they want,” Orcon chief executive Scott Bartlett said.

“We asked people if they want to use more data. More than half said yes. We asked people if they ever got bill shock. 40% said yes."

The unlimited plan was designed with those customers in mind, Bartlett said.

Existing and new residential customers on Orcon's ultra-fast broadband, Orcon Genius and Orcon LLU plans will be able to sign up for the new plans.

Despite the that fact that the plans are 'unlimited', they are restricted by Orcon's Fair Use policy. PC World contacted Orcon to find out what data cap users would have to reach to be in breach of Orcon's Fair Use policy. Orcon says there is is no upper limit on data usage.

However, the terms and conditions on Orcon's website do say that the company many restrict, suspend, or terminate your account if "in Orcon’s sole opinion, your usage is so heavy that it materially exceeds estimated use patterns over any month or Orcon believes that your usage of our services will adversely affect the quality of the service received by other customers".

Orcon's estimates are based on the amount of data that the average user consumes.

Customers must sign up for a 12 month contract to take advantage of Orcon's unlimited service.