Cheapest Shared Endless Data Plans in NZ

If each person in your household has a separate endless data mobile plan, you could all be overpaying. By bundling the plans together on a group shared endless data plan under one provider, you could make considerable savings.

Canstar Blue takes a look at the cheapest shared endless data plans, as well as their key features and considerations, so you can get the best phone deal for your household.

This article covers plans from:

• Spark
• 2degrees
• One
• Nova Energy

Shared data mobile plan features

Shared data plans are typically based around a single primary plan. Extra plans are then added on to the main plan at discounted rates.

But before simply signing on to the cheapest shared data plan, it pays to look at the fine print. When choosing a shared data mobile plan, it’s worthwhile considering:

• Primary plan – the person with the primary phone plan is usually responsible for ensuring the entire account is paid on time. They are also the only person with the authority to view and/or make changes to all plans and services
• Data – what is the maximum speed data allocation? And does everyone get the same amount?
• Talk and text – all of the plans below come with unlimited talk and text to NZ and Australian numbers. However, exclusions can apply, so it’s worthwhile confirming with the provider
• Pay monthly – all of the plans below are pay monthly plans. If you’re keen on a prepaid plan, you’ll need to look at individual plan options
• Hotspot – is hotspotting included for free or at an additional charge?
• Additional incentives – are there any other additional incentives included with a plan? This can include free data, entertainment, or access to other services

Also, keep in mind the full range of services that providers offer, such as international call, roaming and data add-ons, and how these apply to group plans.

Spark

Spark’s Team Up takes a different approach to group plans. Instead of allowing you to add companion plans for a set price, everyone is allowed to choose their own plan and a percentage discount is applied based on the total number of plans.

Team Up allows you to select from the following two endless data plans:

You can then add up to three additional plans, all of which can be chosen from the above options, allowing everyone to select the plan that’s right for them. The more people, the bigger the saving

• 2 people – 20% saving
• 3 people – 30% saving
• 4 people – 35% saving

Below is the average cost of the plans per person p/m, depending on the number of people in your group:

Plan features:

• Entertainment – free Spotify Premium ($16.99) included with the Uncapped Endless plan (half-price on the 18GB plan); save 22% on Neon subscription, $13.99p/m instead of $17.99.
• Hotspotting – both plans offer unlimited hotspotting, although max-speed data cap applies to 18GB plan.
• 5G – plans are 5G ready

2degrees

2degrees companion plan allows for customers to add up to three companion plans at $35 each to its endless data plan: $75 for 100GB at max speed.

Plan features:

• Endless data – all plans have endless data till max speed limit, then reduced to 1.2Mbps
• Free data hour – all data used during an hour chosen by the customer is free every day (maximum speeds for 40GB per month, then reduced to maximum speeds of 1Mbps)
• 5G – plans are 5G ready
• Hotspot – included with all plans
• Talk & text – unlimited NZ/OZ

Below is the average cost of the plans per person p/m, depending on the number of people in your group:

One

One has two endless data plans that can be combined with companion plans:

Group plans – One allows you to add up to three companion plans at a discount:

• Medium plan: add up to three companion plans for $35 p/m per plan
• One plan: add up to three companion plans for $40 p/m per plan

Plan features:

• Endless max speed data – no speed caps
• 5G – plans are 5G ready
• Hotspot – included with all plans
• Talk & text – unlimited NZ/OZ
• International texts and calls – 250 texts and 50mins to 20 international destinations
• One NZ rewards

Below is the average cost of the plans per person p/m, depending on the number of people in your group:

Nova Energy

Nova offers unlimited mobile plans that feature four different max data speed caps, from 4GB to 32GB.

Plan features:

• Endless data – all plans have endless data till max speed limit, then reduced to 1.2Mbps
• Talk & Text – unlimited NZ/OZ
• Hotspot – included with all plans
• Bundle and save – save extra $10 per person per month by bundling with power/gas/broadband

Below is the average cost of the plans per person, depending on the number of people in your group. Does not include further $10 per person bundle discount or current sign-on offer.

Note: Prices correct at time of writing (27/11/23). Further information on pricing can be found at individual provider websites. This should be used as a starter guide and not considered an actual quote.

Which provider has the cheapest shared data plans?

As you can see from the above pricings, if you’ve got four people in your family, you can get a One group plan offering endless data with no speed caps for $50 per person, per month. And if you’re happy to accept max-speed data limits, you can find even cheaper plans.

If you take into consideration the extra savings offered by Nova for bundling your mobile and power, its deals look super cheap. But you’ve got to remember to factor in its plans’ lower data caps, and the extra costs of Nova’s other bundled utilities. For example, could you get a better power deal from another electricity company that could save you even more money?

Compare electricity providers

Again, for a family of four, the deals from One and 2degrees are similar: there’s only $5 per person per month between the two. But for those extra bucks One delivers endless data with no speed restrictions. However, 2degrees’ 100GB monthly data limit is pretty high, plus you get an extra 40GB full-speed data each month as part of its free data hour. So you could easily save with 2degrees’ lower prices.

Spark’s plans are perhaps the most confusing, and some of the most expensive. However, Spark does allow you greater flexibility to mix and match plans. For example, to opt for three cheaper plans with 18GB caps alongside one premium unlimited data plan – which could be more suited to your household’s needs and cost $48.75 per person per month. Plus, Spark’s $90 plan comes with Spotify Premium, worth $16.99 per month, and by bundling you can also save $4 p/m on a Neon subscription. If you factor these two savings in, then you’re only paying $43.50 per person per month – but, of course, it’s only a saving if you want Spotify and Neon subs!

Ultimately, the best plan for you has to suit your budget and your data needs. So before you make a choice, it’s a good idea to review everybody in your group plan’s recent data usage to ensure you don’t end up paying for more data than you need.