Best ISP in New Zealand

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mus1402

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#18643 17-Jan-2008 18:38

So which current NZ's Internet plan is the BEST that match this criteria:

Unlimited access
Long-term Reliable n Robust - no disconnection
Large n fast to download movie file
Cost less than $50 a month

Any thoughts?

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#105427 17-Jan-2008 18:46

For 1., there is only one that I know of. Actrix Broadband Elite (for around $600/mth), and that doesn't meet 4.

Even if there was one even close to unlimited, there are ones for around $50, not under.

For fast and reliable, no one can guarrantee that, but I can't say much about that. See what others think of their service that live in your area.

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#105435 17-Jan-2008 19:13

There are a few ISP's that offer 'unlimited' download, but they hide in their fine print these plans actually have a 'soft cap', meaning they are still limited.

$50 will generally get you 10-20gb depending on who your with.

I recommended you check out the NZ Connections wiki, as there is an excellent ISP plan comparison table where many of your questions will be answered.

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blinky

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#105925 21-Jan-2008 10:45

you would be lucky to get 2 off that list .... at the same time .....

you pay for what you get.

And NZ is no longer a cheap place to live .....

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10487926&ref=rss

mus1402

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#106975 26-Jan-2008 23:37

ok heres my situation. im going to share a house with 10 of my flatmates. So really what we need is unlimited access. However, after reading all of your responses (thanks heaps) and looking at nzconnection site, I think im willing to go a bit lenient this time: limited access (but with the highest possible plan allowance for video streaming and downloading/uploading gigantic files) and less than $150. But before that I have a few questions though and I hope someone could help me out:

Correct me if Im wrong but it seems in the site given theres only one unlimited plan in NZ(Actrix Broadband Elite), is the list updated and comprehensive? or are there any other unlimited plan in NZ that I dont know of? please someone let me know.
Does anyone know if theres any poll online showing most popular ISP for Kiwis in large and Wellingtonians in specific?
Is ISP region-based? I mean could Wellingtonians get the same speed of Inspire internet as Aucklanders? Coz I kept this feeling that not all ISP is available in ALL region in NZ. Could someone clarify this for me? and if its true, could you tell me which ISP is the best to which region(please provide me with some list, that would be helpful)?

Here;s what I quote from you guys:

Even if there was one even close to unlimited, there are ones for around $50, not under.

Could you tell me which plan is that?

For fast and reliable, no one can guarrantee that, but I can't say much about that. See what others think of their service that live in your area.

Does that mean ISP region-based? (refer to my 3rd question above)

Bottom line is i NEED internet NOW! PLease help me

freitasm

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#106976 26-Jan-2008 23:44

Th Actrix plan comes to about $55 per user in your flat, for unlimited broadband. This is a good price. Any other (cheap) plan will be limited in some capacity - total bandwidth or total allowance.

mus1402

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#106981 27-Jan-2008 01:40

freitasm: Th Actrix plan comes to about $55 per user in your flat, for unlimited broadband. This is a good price. Any other (cheap) plan will be limited in some capacity - total bandwidth or total allowance.

Is that the ONLY unlimited plan in NZ? and is it REALLY unlimited or is there soft cap? I've been reading alot on the net saying at the moment theres no ISP in NZ providing any unlimited plan? If this is true, then how come the actrix plan is unlimited?

willnz

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#106988 27-Jan-2008 08:33

mus1402: Is that the ONLY unlimited plan in NZ? and is it REALLY unlimited or is there soft cap? I've been reading alot on the net saying at the moment theres no ISP in NZ providing any unlimited plan? If this is true, then how come the actrix plan is unlimited?

Because it's 12x the price of the "fake unlimited" plans. They can afford to make it unlimited.

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manhinli

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#106989 27-Jan-2008 08:36

For the plan, you can check out Orcon and ihug. Some ISPs have very good data prices so they could be included if necessary.

I meant to check with people with broadband in your area to see how fast you can expect speeds to be.

Yes, Actrix's Broadband Elite is unlimited - no ifs, or buts. It also includes CA Security Suite, ~~Netgear~~ Dynalink Wireless Broadband Router and more.

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#107000 27-Jan-2008 09:30

As Willnz says, it is unlimited becuse it costs 12 times more than the other plans.

The cheap plans have lots of conditions. You get what you pay for.

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#107017 27-Jan-2008 11:15

The thing is, is that in most cases there is no 'outstanding' internet provider. At this point in time there is no all you can eat DSL plan for $50, unless you were lucky enough to hold onto your Xtra Go Large connection (which had traffic management)

Unlike other countries, we depend on our international links a lot more, which costs more. The most popular site hosted in NZ is trademe which is really quite sad.

But there are options - if you use a lot of data, almost all providers have some sort of FS/FS no throttle on cap plan, however keep in mind, you are expected to pay for that data. The Actrix Broadband Elite plan discussed is 'unlimited', however you'll probably find that its priced on the basis that its going to be hammered 24/7 and will be used to download massive files or stream videos out.

If you are doing that - then that could be a good deal. If you aren't, then you probably wish to consider other plans from the likes of WorldxChange or Slingshot for instance. WorldxChanges pricing per GB is quite good with no minimum usage requirements, while Slingshot has cheap datablocks (and support provided is equally of cheap quality also). For instance, a 50GB block costs $40.

If they were downloading massive amounts than that, then I would either:
* Run some traffic management software to identify the amount of data each household member uses and get them to pay for their usage -OR-
* Get the flatrate plan at $600 and split the costs completely -OR-
* Get them to run their own connections as if they are using that much traffic, then why should someone else be responsible for the bill?

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#107020 27-Jan-2008 11:56

Doing the math for you...

At $596 (using FS/FS plans, with the company's tolls if required):

Actrix @ Broadband Elite: Unlimited
Slingshot @ Pro + 50GB Overage: 656GB
WxC Xnet @ Flood: 533GB
Orcon @ Max/Max and 200GB + Overage: 390GB
ihug @ broadband 7 + Overage: 288GB
Telecom @ Pro Ultra + Overage: 72GB

Using your limit of $150 (using FS/FS plans, with the company's tolls if required):

Slingshot @ Pro + 30GB + Overage: 126GB
WxC Xnet @ Flood: 98GB
Orcon @ Max/Max and 80GB + Overage: 75GB
ihug @ broadband 7 + Overage: 65GB
Telecom @ Pro Ultra: 50GB

I obviously had to fit it under the price range and use overage to fit into the budget.

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mus1402

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#107057 27-Jan-2008 18:39

After contemplating for so long, I think I'm gonna go with InSPire Net Bitstream FS-FS it costs $200 with 100GB and throttled. The reason I chose that is because I can't afford Actrix Broadband Elite (If anyone know any other unlimited plans, please let me know). So I go for 2nd best (100GB). That leaves me with a few choices:

ICONZ ADSL 8 - nope, charging on cap (and same reason for SouthNET)
Woosh Orbit Pro 100 - connection limitation, depends on area

However m not sure if it includes phone line. Anyway, could those of you from Wellington who have used Inspire plan let me know your thoughts on this? Am I making a wise decision?

manhinli

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#107058 27-Jan-2008 18:43

Woosh Orbit Pro 100 - connection limitation, depends on area

All Orbit plans are normal ADSL and not the wireless ones also offered by Woosh, and so is not dependant on area.

No, all ADSL plans do not include phone lines. InSPire Net does not offer landline services, and so you'll need to stick with TelstraClear (or any other landline service provider).

You may also choose Naked DSL plans if you wish to not have a landline service or to use a digital voice service.

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#107059 27-Jan-2008 18:49

Did you consider slingshot or WorldxChange?

For WorldXchange:
100GB at FS/FS = $102.40 data charges + 49.95 (make that 69.95 if using Naked DSL). Throttle on cap once budget exceeded. Cost: 152.35, 172.35 (naked with no landline voice service)

For Slingshot:
100GB = 2x $40 (50GB data blocks) + 49.95. Thorttle on cap once budget exceeded. Total cost 129.95 and you have 6GB that came with the plan!

Both are cheaper than the $200 for 100GB price that inspire offer.

Damn, I feel like a used cars salesman.

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#107060 27-Jan-2008 18:53

Plan choices also can be affected by customer satisfaction...

InSPire Net was top in the Consumer's Institute 'Best ISP' award...

But, cokemaster is right - that's a whopping saving of at least $600 a year! (cliche - cough, cough)

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