to use the free sparks wifi do you need to buy anything else? like a hotspot connector?

Forums › New Zealand Mobile and Wireless › to use the free sparks wifi do you need to buy anything else? like a hotspot connector?

equilor11

30 posts

Geek

#150994 10-Aug-2014 13:58

been trying to sort this out. telecom wont tell me anything. the other place wont tell me anything apart from saying its not working there [the wifi]

all i want to do is have access to mobile wifi for my laptop for the week

i didnt think it would be this hard to find this information

my time is limited i only have about 3 hours left before i cant get anything for monday. then i miss out

can i use my phone as a wifi for my laptop???

yes i had to repost and yes i am frustrated.

Can i just update my mobile with 4 gigs for the week? and not need anything else to connect?

JarrodM

969 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1105873 10-Aug-2014 14:16

As long as you have the relevant plan that qualifies for the free wifi, you then connect the device you want to the wifi and it will come up with a log in page. Enter your phone number and it will send a code your phone then you just enter the code on the webpage.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#1105874 10-Aug-2014 14:17

The correct answer depends on what phone and laptop you have.
Most modern phones have the ability to act as a mobile hotspot, and most modern laptops have a built in wifi adapter.

Do you currently have a spark mobile plan to gives you free access to the hotspots?

Paulthagerous

698 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1105881 10-Aug-2014 14:29

Hi equilor11,

Hopefully I can clarify a few things. If you are on an eligible package, then you can use the Free WiFi hotspots with almost any wifi device - such as your laptop - without having to go through the phone. So the laptop will connect directly to the WiFi hotspot. You will still need to use your phone to get a code to authenticate the laptop, but once you recieved the text and entered the code into your browser on the laptop that is all you need the phone for.

On a side note, phones (at least AFAIK) can only either have Wifi OR Hotspot on - not both at the same time. So you actually couldn't connect to our hotspot through your phone from the laptop.

Do also bear in mind that you do have to be physically close to the hotspot to use it; there is a map on our website (link below) to check where the nearest one is.

Of course you can buy a data pack for the mobile device, but the WiFi hotspots are there so might as well use it if they are included in your current deal!

More info here:
http://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile/whyultramobile/wifi.html

Cheers,

Paulthagerous.

Edit: Formatting.

equilor11

30 posts

Geek

#1105901 10-Aug-2014 14:54

NonprayingMantis: The correct answer depends on what phone and laptop you have.
Most modern phones have the ability to act as a mobile hotspot, and most modern laptops have a built in wifi adapter.

Do you currently have a spark mobile plan to gives you free access to the hotspots?

just to let you guys know that i managed to make my phone a hotspot and through the wifi system i did not have to get another item i have it set up and working though the hotspot

thank you!

equilor11

30 posts

Geek

#1105902 10-Aug-2014 14:55

Paulthagerous: Hi equilor11,

Hopefully I can clarify a few things. If you are on an eligible package, then you can use the Free WiFi hotspots with almost any wifi device - such as your laptop - without having to go through the phone. So the laptop will connect directly to the WiFi hotspot. You will still need to use your phone to get a code to authenticate the laptop, but once you recieved the text and entered the code into your browser on the laptop that is all you need the phone for.

On a side note, phones (at least AFAIK) can only either have Wifi OR Hotspot on - not both at the same time. So you actually couldn't connect to our hotspot through your phone from the laptop.

Do also bear in mind that you do have to be physically close to the hotspot to use it; there is a map on our website (link below) to check where the nearest one is.

Of course you can buy a data pack for the mobile device, but the WiFi hotspots are there so might as well use it if they are included in your current deal!

More info here:
http://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile/whyultramobile/wifi.html

Cheers,

Paulthagerous.

Edit: Formatting.

just wanted to say thank you i am set up and ready for tomorrow, i have wifi working on the hotspot as i said in other post.

i am more relaxed knowning i dont have to have internet withdrawals i just have to find a app for internet connection data usage. which should be easy enough

im glad i didnt have to waste 100$

thank you again :)

SteveON

1916 posts

Uber Geek

#1105933 10-Aug-2014 16:50

Maybe I'm reading this wrong but I see that the OP is tethering their laptop to the phone via mobile broadband not the free wifi hotspots which are scattered around the country.

Wifi tethering via mobile broadband has always been free in NZ as long as you have enough data avaliable.

If you want the 1Gb/day offer, you need to find a Spark Wifi hotspot and connect to it.

Dingbatt

6754 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1105940 10-Aug-2014 17:08

Adding the word "free" in the title question did kind of confuse things slightly.
And a little OT, but as far as the free Spark wifi goes, if you have your phone as a registered device, can you physically tether it via USB to the laptop to share its connection?

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Jase2985

13457 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#1105941 10-Aug-2014 17:10

if you read his other thread hes in hospital for a week and wants data so he can play his game

Bung

6477 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1105968 10-Aug-2014 17:33

Would there be wifi access in the hospital? Many areas in hospitals have "no mobile phone" rules.

edit Wellington is phone friendly except ICU.

Paulthagerous

698 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1105971 10-Aug-2014 17:42

Dingbatt: Adding the word "free" in the title question did kind of confuse things slightly.
And a little OT, but as far as the free Spark wifi goes, if you have your phone as a registered device, can you physically tether it via USB to the laptop to share its connection?

You can use the WiFi directly from the laptop without needing to go through the mobile (other than receiving a code via SMS to authenticate the service). Much better way to do it IMHO :)

Link with more info:
http://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile/whyultramobile/wifi.html

robjg63

4096 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1105972 10-Aug-2014 17:45

When you say 'free wifi' in your post, you are implying thar you are a spark customer with a mobile plan that gives you the rights to access free wifi via a phonebox. I think as such a customer you can access up to 1GB per day this way. You can cart your laptop along to a phonebox and use the wifi directly provided you get the access code. I think they send this to your mobile phone.

If you are saying that you have a mobile data allowance on your mobile phone, and want to use this data on another device then this is not what your topic heading suggested. The data is not free and its not wifi. However, if this is what you are referring to, most smart phones allow you to turn them into a mobile wifi hotspot (using your mobile data plan) that you can then connect your laptop or other devices to.

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

equilor11

30 posts

Geek

#1105973 10-Aug-2014 17:45

Jase2985: if you read his other thread hes in hospital for a week and wants data so he can play his game

I am she btw but its ok :P
i got it all set up.