Last week we announced a range of initiatives to help our customers stay connected during COVID-19. We’ve also heard the calls from rural customers who want more data now that everyone needs to stay at home during level 4 lockdown.

Rural Broadband runs over a mobile network that is shared by many people in an area, and normally these networks are more than capable of handling the community’s usual household data requirements.

We would love to offer unlimited data to our rural customers at all times – but the rural network has a limited data supply and is simply not built for the hugely increased capacity we’re experiencing at the moment. This would require additional radio spectrum and government investment via the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI). This means that if we removed data caps now, it would degrade the experience overall.

Because we want to support rural customers during the COVID-19 lockdown, from today Vodafone is offering unlimited* data to Rural Broadband users from midnight-9am daily for no extra charge.

The new unlimited data period will allow our customers to download Netflix or entertainment content at low-peak times ready for viewing the next day, so we can maintain connectivity for residents when internet traffic spikes and people are using the internet for work and learning purposes.

This means rural broadband customers, with up to 200GB of data per month, should have more than enough data to prioritise their business communication and educational needs.

We have some tips for customers looking to maximise their data:

• Keep an eye on data usage allowance via the My Farmside portal daily or by using the MyVodafone app.
• Review all electronic devices that are connected via WiFi or connected to your Rural Broadband device.
• Download software upgrades during the free data period.
• Close down apps on your phone when it’s connected to the WiFi so they don't keep using data in the background.
• Turn off automatic software updates on your mobile phone.
• Restrict iTunes and App Store downloads until the off-peak, free periods.
• PlayStation and Xbox game updates consume a lot of data so turn off automatic updates.
• Video content does too, so download overnight taking advantage of your new unlimited data times, then reduce the format to SD (standard definition). This includes YouTube, Netflix and Vodafone TV.
• Listen to downloaded music rather than streaming on Spotify and Apple Music.
• Change WiFi passwords to protect your usage.
• Seek alternative entertainment channels such as SKY

Stay well, stay safe and stay in touch.

*A reminder that our Fair Use Policy continues to apply. Vodafone NZ reserves the right to apply its Traffic Management Policy, to improve the overall performance and experience among our customers, and to protect our network.