Best ISP in Porirua Basin

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kiwiwombat

23 posts

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#60988 7-May-2010 00:32

Hi

I currently live in Aus and have been given the opportunity by my Australian employer to stay working for them but from home in NZ.

I intend to live in the Porirua area (Papakowhai, Aotea, Whitby areas).

I will be using the internet heavily during the day and need high speed at all times. I will also be using VOIP with an Australian phone number (provided by FaktorTel).

I am new to this so need some assistance to get it right. My job/livelihood depends on me being able to perform effectively for my employer.

Can anyone suggest

1. the best ISP for this area (that will work with FactorTel)
2. The best plan from that ISP
3. Should I buy a VOIP phone from FactorTel in Aus or get one in NZ and what model will give the best/clearest service
4. Do dedicated VOIP phones have answer phone services (I need this)

No doubt I will have more questions from any answers I get, so please bear with me

Thanks

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#327588 7-May-2010 06:58

I'll start out of the ISP debate as I'm sure you'll get plenty of feedback on this. The decision you need to make however is whether you want a naked ADSL plan or want an ADSL plan with POTS. Not all ISP's offer naked ADSL.

As for VoIP phones with answerphones - they're exceptionally rare because VM is pretty much a standard feature with every VoIP provider or IP PBX. The only VoIP phone I'm actually aware of with a built in answerphone is the Gigaset C475IP - this isn't available in NZ or AU so you would have to import one.

It makes no difference whether you buy hardware in Aussie or here but it's probably cheaper to buy it in Aussie. If built in voicemail is essential you've got no real choice but to get an ATA such as a Linksys SPA2102 and buy an analogue phone with VM built in. If you could use Faktortel's VM I'd recommend a physical SIP IP phone.

kiwiwombat

23 posts

Geek

#327604 7-May-2010 09:04

Thanks.

VM doesn't specifically have to be on the phone, I just hadn't realised that VM came with VOIP service. That means I can use a SIP IP phone.

In respect of plans, my work day is spent in an Australian environment (hence using FaktorTel) and won't have NZ VOIP access. I guess therefore I will need a POTS service for NZ calling but I am open to advice.

Ragnor

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#327707 7-May-2010 14:08

Comparison of Standard ADSL + POTS Plans
http://nzconnections.net.nz/Internet_Plan_and_Pricing_Comparisons:_Phone_and_Internet_Packages

Comparison of Naked ADSL Plans
http://nzconnections.net.nz/Internet_Plan_and_Pricing_Comparisons:_Naked_DSL_plans

In my opinion:

I would look at a naked adsl plans, doesn't sound like you really need a NZ POTS/landline. If you do need a local number and calling you use a NZ voip provider like Xnet, 2talk or italk (it's $10-12 month for a basic plan).

I don't believe there are unbundled exchanges (might be wrong) in that area so any ADSL connection from any ISP will be provided over Telecom NZ wholesale equipment. Telecom themselves don't offer naked adsl (only standard + landline).

I think your best best would be Maxnet Naked ADSL (they call it pure dsl), it's a premium service (so it's more expensive than Snap and other ISP's). It attracts business/office type users and is not attractive to heavy home users that cause peak time problems on other ISPs.

You can check prospective addresses on this site to see if what exchange and cabinet they are connected to:

http://www.telecomwholesale.co.nz/maps

sbiddle

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#327731 7-May-2010 14:50

kiwiwombat: Thanks.

VM doesn't specifically have to be on the phone, I just hadn't realised that VM came with VOIP service. That means I can use a SIP IP phone.

In respect of plans, my work day is spent in an Australian environment (hence using FaktorTel) and won't have NZ VOIP access. I guess therefore I will need a POTS service for NZ calling but I am open to advice.

The easist option may be to just get a Naked ADSL connection, opt a a dedicated VoIP phone such as a Linksys model and configure this for Faktortel and a NZ VoIP provider if you want a NZ number also.

hads

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#327788 7-May-2010 17:12

Yeah that is what I would do also.

As long as the NDSL plans suit your data requirements just get an IP phone that supports more than one line and you're good to go.

nicegear.co.nz - VoIP, DVB and other Linux compatible hardware

kiwiwombat

23 posts

Geek

#329544 12-May-2010 22:05

Thanks for the advice.

The VOIP phone is specifically for use for calling between NZ & Aus during the day and will be in separate office in my house.

If my wife wanted to make a call she won't have access to the VOIP, so I guess that I need a POTS as well.

Ragnor

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#329547 12-May-2010 22:09

Depends how much calling she does and to where. Might be better off with a 2nd NZ voip provider or just using mobile minutes if she's going to have a mobile with a plan.

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kiwiwombat

23 posts

Geek

#329552 12-May-2010 22:13

Presume 2nd VOIP provider means another phone? Is it still Naked ADSL?

I am new to all this as you can probably tell.

I need VOIP for the Aus connection but is cost the only advantage of using VOIP within NZ?

Ragnor

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#329881 13-May-2010 17:45

VOIP is a service that works over any/most internet connections.

Hads mentioned it above, you can get an ip phone or ATA that supports "two lines".

If you want to compare the cost of NZ landline/pots + standard adsl vs naked adsl + voip the two NZ Connections links I posted earlier should be handy.

kiwitrc

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#330012 14-May-2010 08:49

Dont move to Aotea, there is a long waiting list for internet connections there due to lack of capacity.

kiwiwombat

23 posts

Geek

#330261 15-May-2010 00:27

Wow, thanks for that.

Aotea was high on the list because we were thinking about building. That would have caused a problem as I need broadband to be able to work.

Any other areas that you know about that have similar issues?

Ragnor

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#330657 16-May-2010 16:55

A friendly ISP worker might be able to check the most recent Broadband wait list for you.

JamoJ

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#335816 28-May-2010 15:32

Yeah I just made the mistake of moving to Aotea, nice suburb, pity about the internet!

I signed up with the big evil prior to moving in, and they didn't mention anything about lack of capacity at the junction then! And theres no scheduled upgrade until July 2011.

In any case, does anyone know of any working internet solutions in Aotea, apart from rotting on the broadband waiting list?

I have checked out satellite providers but it appears no-ones out that way yet either. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

kiwitrc

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#335905 28-May-2010 19:13

How about seeing if your neighbours have it and going halves in the cost via wireless? Has issues I realise but you might be able to sort it, you may also be able to get NZwireless there.

JamoJ

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Wannabe Geek

#335912 28-May-2010 19:37

I have checked with them, unfortunately NZwireless hasn't got coverage in that area yet, they advised to call in a couple of months and they might be able to say when they will.

I haven't really spoken to the neighbours yet, that may be an option, but I am a pretty heavy internet user, and I don't want to hog anyones bandwidth.

The alternatives I have been offered are t mobile of vfone - or free dial up. - not appealing!

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