RWC Ready: Don't Just Dream It, Stream It!

The 2019 Rugby World Cup is just around the corner, and if you haven’t snagged September flights to Japan, then you’ll probably be stuck here watching from home with the rest of us. There’s been lots of talk around the delivery of this year’s RWC, but we’ve been working hard to upgrade our already speedy network well before it was announced the RWC would be streaming.

Our growing customer base prompted us to invest in a network upgrade so we could continue providing the best possible service. The upgrades will result in 10 times increased network capacity – and good news for rugby fans, it will all be match-ready for September.

The increased capacity will provide our customers with great service well after the RWC is done and dusted. But we don’t want anyone to miss a second of the action, so to make sure you’re able to cheer on our All Blacks every step of the way, here are some things to keep in mind if you plan on watching live.

Speed

While Spark recommends that anyone streaming the matches on Spark Sport have a minimum internet download speed of at least 15 Mbps (Megabits per second), we recommend going for the best connection possible. Fibre offers the highest speeds, the best picture quality, and the best reliability.

Unlike ADSL or VDSL, fibre doesn’t slow down when demand in your area is high or if you’re running multiple devices. Fibre speeds also allow you to stream in full HD. If you can, we recommend connecting via an ethernet cable to get the best possible speed.

If you’re on an ADSL or VDSL plan, click here to see if we can upgrade you to fibre. Just enter your address and if fibre is available, place the order, select “existing customer”, and we’ll get you connected.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to talk through your options and place an upgrade order over the phone, just give our team a call on 0800 4 SPEED (0800 477 333) between 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week and we’ll take care of it!

If you don’t have fibre, now is the time to place your order. Local fibre installation companies have warned that slots are limited, and they won’t be able to connect everyone before the big kickoff, so don’t wait!

Data

Streaming consumes a lot of data. Exact usage depends on your internet connection, which device you’re using, and the quality in which you’re streaming. However, Spark Sport estimates that if you are streaming at full HD quality, you are likely to use up to 3GB per hour.

Voyager customers don’t have to worry. We’ve been providing unlimited broadband plans for years, and our older residential plans that had data caps were all upgraded to unlimited in March, so you’re all sorted!

Spark Sport Tournament Pass & Compatible Devices

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be on Spark broadband (or even have a subscription to Spark Sport) to enjoy the RWC! All you need to do is purchase a Spark Sport Tournament pass, which you can get just for the RWC. You can also buy access to individual matches rather than a pass for the entire tournament.

Spark Sport is available to watch across a range of devices, but you should make sure yours is compatible. Check their list here.

Once you’re sorted, all that’s left to do is kick back and cheer on the boys. Oh, and don’t forget the snacks!

Is your broadband match fit? Call the Voyager team today on 0800 4 SPEED (0800 477 333) and we’ll check to see if you’re on the best technology and plan for your place. If you’re concerned your current speed isn’t up to scratch, our friendly helpdesk can investigate what might be causing any speed issues on your network.