Grapevine frequently asked questions

5.  Broadband on the TransACT network

5.1  What are the benefits of the new Grapevine ISP plans on the TransACT Network?

Grapevine’s new plans give you:

• a lower overrun charge per MB
• greater savings on the GV500MB, GV1GB and GV10GB plans.
• more choice as our plans are now split into two categories.

The benefits of these plans are as follows.

1. Capped and shaped plans
   • Overrun charges are capped at a maximum monthly amount to cater for customers that don’t want to risk an unpredictable bill.
   • The base $9.90 plan now offers 500MB of downloads, compared to 200MB previously.
   • The $14.95 plan now offers 1GB of downloads, compared to 500MB previously.
   • The $19.95 plan now offers 2GB of downloads, compared to 1GB previously.Pay for what you use (free unlimited downloads from 6.00am and 6.00pm; speed never slowed).
2. Pay for what you use plans
   • A massive 12 hours of free unlimited download time between 6.00am to 6.00pm, seven days a week.
   • Speed is never shaped/slowed.

5.2  How do the TransACT Network Capped and shaped plans work?

You can download for free between 6.00am and 6.00pm (off-peak time) up to the monthly off-peak limit provided.

You can also download between 6.00pm and 6.00am (peak time) up to the monthly peak limit. After that you pay for each MB you download (overrun), which is capped so you always know your potential maximum monthly spend.

If you reach the combined limit for peak and off-peak times, you can still download but your connection speed is slowed to 72kbps.

• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV500MB TA
  You've downloaded: 210MB in peak and 200MB in off-peak
  Result: You will be charged 10MB x $0.10 of overrun charges.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV500MB TA
  You've downloaded: 40MB in peak and 460MB in off-peak
  Result: Your speed will be shaped as you have reached 500MB total.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV500MB TA
  You've downloaded: 250MB in peak and 250MB in off-peak
  Result: Your speed will be shaped as you have reached 500MB total. You will also be charged 50MB x $0.10 of overrun charges.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV500MB TA
  You've downloaded: 0MB in peak and 500MB in off-peak
  Result: Your speed will be shaped. No overrun charges will apply as you have used all your data in off-peak periods.

5.3  How do the TransACT Network Pay for what you use plans work?

You can download as much as you like for free between 6.00am and 6.00pm (off-peak time).

During 6.00pm to 6.00am (peak time) you can also download, but there is a monthly limit.

Once you reach this monthly limit you can still download as much as you like at the same connection speed, but you have to pay for each MB you download (overrun). There is no cap on this charge.

• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV5GB TA
  You've downloaded: 4GB in peak and 5GB in off-peak
  Result: No overrun charges, speed is not shaped.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV5GB TA
  You've downloaded: 5GB in peak and 8GB in off-peak
  Result: No overrun charges, speed is not shaped.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV5GB TA
  You've downloaded: 5.5GB in peak and 12GB in off-peak
  Result: You will be charged 500MB x $0.10 of overrun charges.
• Example:
  Plan you're on: GV5GB TA
  You've downloaded: 0MB in peak and 50GB in off-peak
  Result: No overrun charges, speed is not shaped.

5.4  How can I avoid overrun charges?

We recommend choosing the best plan that suits your broadband needs, and which gives you a higher included download limit a month.

Grapevine will send you usage notifications via email so you can monitor your download usage to avoid overrun charges. These notifications will be sent to your primary Grapevine email address, unless you notify Grapevine of a different email address you would like the notifications sent to.

We’ll notify you when your estimated usage reaches 50%, 80%, 110%, 130% and 150% of your monthly download limit – so that you can remain in control of your monthly spend.

As a guide, here's an indication of file sizes for various media:

• A standard webpage: 50-150kb (depending on number of pictures)
• A standard email (text only): 50kb
• A small photo attachment on email: 100kb
• An average digital camera photo attachment on email: 500kb
• A standard music song file: 4MB
• A standard music CD: 110 MB
• A DivX movie file: 700 MB
• A DVD-quality file: 4000 MB

5.5  How can I upgrade to a new Grapevine broadband plan?

For just $20, you can upgrade your current broadband plan.

Alternatively, if you include your Grapevine plan in a bundle*, we'll waive the $20 connection fee.

5.6  Do I get shaped on the TransACT Network Pay for what you use plans?

No, there is no shaping or capping on these plans. You pay for whatever you use. If you only use what’s included in your plan quota, you only pay for your plan fee.

5.7  What do the terms on your TransACT Network broadband plans mean?

• Capped monthly price
  The maximum amount you will spend each month, including all overrun charges.
• Included off-peak downloads
  This refers to the amount of data that you can download for free between 6.00am and 6.00pm daily.
• Overrun range
  If you've used up your included peak download limit, all data downloaded that falls after this limit will be charged per MB until you've reached your capped price – but only during peak times.
• Overrun charge for excess peak downloads
  The amount charged for each MB downloaded within the overrun range.
• Speed shaped to 72 kbps at...
  This is the total amount of peak and off-peak data you're allowed to download, before your speed gets shaped (slowed) to 72kbps.