Help! I need broadband!

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knoydart

904 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#195186 10-Feb-2009 20:37

freitasm:

Er.... There are a couple of models available in New Zealand - one with built-in CDMA and another that accepts PC cards and USB - from both Vodafone and Telecom. I have one here at home and posted a review some month ago.

Darn that was the one I was thinking of, sorry. I knew I'd seen one on GZ in the past

mruane

420 posts

Ultimate Geek

#195203 10-Feb-2009 21:31

JoeCool: Gidday,

Not surprisingly I had thought of that! Only ones I can see are security enabled...

:-D

The point I was making JoeCool was that regardless of whether they are security enabled or not, try door knocking to see if you can find the owner and see if they might be interested in sharing - you know, pay half each. I would certainly not suggest leaching their connection. That would be very unneighbourly. But you might be lucky iin finding a neighbour who is happy to share their connection with you for a limited time - if you pay a portion of the cost. Its worth a try and it will be much cheaper that the alternatives.
Cheers Mike

JoeCool

43 posts

Geek

#195212 10-Feb-2009 22:08

Cheers, Mike, I re-read your post & realised what your point was. As it turns out there's a retired couple having trouble with their computers/internet. I was considering (after re-reading your post) having a chat with them.

Seems I have a few possibilities, but nothing definite:

Vodem seems to be better (although still not great) after upgrading the firmware (Thanks John)
Telecom are going to tell me what my mobile data "alternatives" are for an interim.
Borg.co.nz my do a feasibility study to see if it's worth making an offering in this area.
Sharing neighbour's internet (admittedly, I do use a lot of internet, not sure what the best idea is there!)

GZ has been very helpful. I'd still be interested in ideas anyone may have.

Thanks, all!

garryk

45 posts

Geek

#195268 11-Feb-2009 10:07

Then there's the non-technical solutions....you know, squeeky wheels get grease, it's not what you know but who you know etc

Example: There was a recent case in Hamilton where the lack of connection capacity made it into the media because someone with a reasonably high public profile couldn't get service, and lo and behold, a short time later things were fixed!

I wouldn't advocate this as a realistic solution for everyone, because it wouldn't work if everyone did it. Neither do I agree with the idea that some people should get preference over others. But, we also live in the real world. And if you are able to get the right people making noise in the right places, who knows, you might get lucky!

JoeCool

43 posts

Geek

#195295 11-Feb-2009 12:32

Hi garryk, I did indeed think of making noise. I've been emailing several very high level people within Telecom - and interestingly they've come back and apologised for the problems & suggested they may be able to offer a mobile data solution for me, which I would find acceptable if it's not more expensive that regular broadband.

Also, I've started printing fliers I'm going to hand out in the neighbourhood to find out just how widespread this problems is. I'm not stopping here. Supposedly this is the fastest growing subdivision in NZ, I don't see how Telecom can simply ignore it.

I'll let everyone know how it all goes, including what Telecom offer.

Joe.

djrm

191 posts

Master Geek

#195318 11-Feb-2009 14:23

I would also get everyone to e-mail Stephen Joyce, the new Minister of Communications and Information Technology, I feel that this new government needs to know the true extent of poor coverage in certain areas of New Zealand so that they can formulate their $1.5b plan for fast broadband.

JoeCool

43 posts

Geek

#195323 11-Feb-2009 15:09

Good idea. I'll send the email discussion I've been having with Telecom. You're dead right, though. They are talking about fibre to every home in NZ (entirely unnecessary in my opinion, given the state of the art with copper - but I digress), when Telecom can't deliver broadband of ANY kind to many homes!

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

JoeCool

43 posts

Geek

#196474 18-Feb-2009 11:07

Hi all,

Just a quick update to let you know what's happened.

Discussions with Telecom have ended up in a stalemate. They were going to come back to me with a 3G solution (hopefully a discount on the 3G??) but naturally I'm still waiting.

Andrew from Borg.co.nz is looking into the possibility of providing wireless here, but again, still waiting. No obligations on his part, of course!

I've purchased a 3G router which works with both USB & PCMCIA cards. It works at least. Currently I'm using a company Vodafone conenction. As we all know, vodafone have oversubscribed their networks so the speed is variable but averaging at approx. 350Kb. Hopefully Telecom will come back with an offer???

The unit was a Level 1 WBR-3800 MobileSpot for about $230 Inc GST. Considerably cheaper than the MB6800 at $553. And the E220 Vodem work straight off. (as well as a Huawei E618 card which wasn't on the HCL).

I emailed Steven Joyce with the whole saga. Hell "get back to me" Riiight! Still, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

But...

With this solution I have SOMETHING, and the wife & kids have stopped complaining.

Thanks again for all your input.

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