Advice on mobile internet solution

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Digitaldean

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#43006 15-Oct-2009 07:53

Hi everyone,

I am visiting New Zealand for 2 years and intend to spend most of that time travelling around in a large motor home.

I run a business online as well as several other online ventures. I need access to the Internet at all times. I can make do with dial up speed but would prefer faster if possible. My main concern is to have access wherever I go in NZ.

Price is not an issue.

I noticed Vodafone offer 3G/2G Internet dongles and their coverage map looks good.

Does anyone have any experience with them?

What kind of speed can I expect from 2G?

I would appreciate any advice at all, if you know of a better solution then let me know.

Sorry if this post is in the wrong area of the forum.

Thanks

D

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#264013 15-Oct-2009 07:59

2G max on a good day 50k down best idea get a device that supports 900/2100 WCDMA like a vodem stick or a phone that supports those bands and use phone as modem

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#264021 15-Oct-2009 08:29

I would also look at Telecom XT. Their coverage is similar - the only difference being the frequency in use. Unless you want to

a) use a Vodafone dongle you already have or
b) take the one you buy here back to the UK for use on Vodafone UK.

I know this might upset some of the Vodafone friends in the forum, but in general I see better performance with Telecom XT than Vodafone, although Vodafone is making some progress.

Also Telecom's XT network is 100% 3G and Vodafone's a mix of 2G and 3G.

friedCrumpet

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

#264026 15-Oct-2009 08:45

If it's critical for your business and cost is not an issue, get both XT and Vodafone. If you're ever in an area with limited coverage you may find one has coverage and one doesn't. You might also want to invest in an aerial since I take it if you're motorhoming around the country you'll probably be visiting some remote places.

Thankfully on XT you can get all their data plans on pre-pay and if you don't use it during a month you don't have to pay, so you could make your Vodafone stick your primary source of internet and if you're in a spot with bad coverage you have your XT stick as a backup.

Digitaldean

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#264028 15-Oct-2009 08:57

This is exactly what i was thinking... might get both.

Where is the best place to get hold of an aerial?

Thankyou for your input.

muncher12

90 posts

Master Geek

#264061 15-Oct-2009 12:15

Cellutronics.co.nz have all ariels you will need :)

quickymart

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#264167 15-Oct-2009 23:04

freitasm: I would also look at Telecom XT. Their coverage is similar

Not everywhere :( but I believe they're still tweaking the network.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#264169 15-Oct-2009 23:32

Both claim to cover 97% of the places where people "live, work and play" but since each has different cell site locations and technologies no one should expect the exact coverage be the same, right?

Of course you will find spots where one works and the other doesn't and this is just natural.

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Regs

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Snowflake

#264172 15-Oct-2009 23:51

friedCrumpet: If it's critical for your business and cost is not an issue, get both XT and Vodafone. If you're ever in an area with limited coverage you may find one has coverage and one doesn't. You might also want to invest in an aerial since I take it if you're motorhoming around the country you'll probably be visiting some remote places.

i agree with that entirely. you could even go further by adding in a telecom cdma device too. you can connect with a $10 per month plan and pay as you go for data and you could pick up a second hand device off of trademe or graysonline.co.nz for less than $50.

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