Telephone without unmetered local calling

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Glee

51 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 114022 5-Feb-2013 13:15
Hi there. Is it possible for me to get an old-fashioned circuit-switched land line service that doesn't come bundled with "free" local calling? I know Telecom used to offer a Homeline Economy option where the monthly rental was reduced and you paid 20c/min for local calls I think, but I think they've stopped offering it. Just wondering if any RSPs offer a similar option today?

ubergeeknz

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Orcon

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Reply # 756062 5-Feb-2013 13:17
Don't think it's allowed due to Kiwishare, I could be wrong though.

NonprayingMantis

3604 posts

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Reply # 756070 5-Feb-2013 13:27
it is allowed (kiwishare just means they have to offer an option that includes landline calling, not that ALL offers must include landline calling, and besides whoich, it only applies to telecom anyway, and how it applies now they are separted from chorus is even less clear).

ubergeeknz

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Orcon

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Reply # 756071 5-Feb-2013 13:30
There we go. Thing is, at the end of the day, local calling costs telcos nothing, so why not bundle for free. Most of the cost of a line rental is sunk into renting the wholesale line (which is why VoIP services are so much cheaper). This is probably the reason that when Telecom got split and had to pay same wholesale as everyone else, that option went away.

deadlyllama

146 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 756084 5-Feb-2013 13:51
Do you actually need a physical landline, or would e.g. Vodafone Home Phone Wireless ($25/mo, local number etc but delivered over their GSM network) be OK?

sbiddle

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Biddle Corp

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Reply # 756093 5-Feb-2013 14:11
Circuit switched, no. Because free local calling is expected by end users and the cost of a wholesale NEAX connection voice connection is no different either way. VoIP, yes. *Need help configuring your Linksys ATA or IP Phones for New Zealand? Check my blog post

Glee

51 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 756123 5-Feb-2013 15:44
deadlyllama: Do you actually need a physical landline, or would e.g. Vodafone Home Phone Wireless ($25/mo, local number etc but delivered over their GSM network) be OK? Oh that sounds interesting. i will investigate!

Glee

51 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 756124 5-Feb-2013 15:46
sbiddle: Circuit switched, no. Because free local calling is expected by end users and the cost of a wholesale NEAX connection voice connection is no different either way. VoIP, yes. Thanks Mr Biddle!

ajobbins

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Reply # 756126 5-Feb-2013 15:53
Can you elaborate on what you want the line for? Twitter: ajobbins

Glee

51 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 756143 5-Feb-2013 16:21
I make many more national calls than local calls, so I figured I would like to trade a high monthly line renatl with unmetered local calls, for a low monthly line rental and metered local calls.

ubergeeknz

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Orcon

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Reply # 756158 5-Feb-2013 16:30
Or you could look for a deal with free national calls, it depends how many you make, but may be a worthwhile option.

DjShadow

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Reply # 756161 5-Feb-2013 16:35
Could try TelstraClear Naked Broadband+ http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/residential/homeplan/packages/naked-broadband.cfm The catch is you have to be connected to TelstraClear equipment in the exchange

coffeebaron

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Reply # 756196 5-Feb-2013 17:25
Do you have broadband on that line? Chorus has spent $1.4 billion on making their ADSL broadband network faster. Why not spend a couple of hundred to make sure you are getting the most out of your connection? Geekzone special price: $150* for master splitter install, normally $200+ through your ISP. Auckland and Waikato areas. *Travel charges may apply. Additional costs may apply for complex installs. I install - Naked DSL, DSL Master Splitters, VoIP, RBI Rural Broadband. Also a dealer for WorldxChange. Need help in Auckland or Waikato? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

chevrolux

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Reply # 756208 5-Feb-2013 18:14
VoIP is always going to have cheaper rates than any POTS service. Look for a 2talk plan with enough minutes to suit.