Mobile Broadband and voice-call SIM for tourist

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Mobile Broadband and voice-call SIM for tourist

ankan

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#55574 6-Jan-2010 11:50

I will go to New Zealand and stay there for about 2 weeks and are looking for a prepaid SIM for both data and voice.

I will use it to call my other frinds who I 'am traveling with and use data to do skype-calls and SIP-calls to my friends at home in Sweden. I guess I don't need more than 500MB data and about 10-20 short calls to other NZ mobiles.

What prepaid SIM should I buy and from witch mobile operator?

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#287386 6-Jan-2010 12:01

Hello... Are you bringing your own mobile data modem? What bands (I assume 2100MHz)?

nzbnw

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#287389 6-Jan-2010 12:03

What sort of phone do you have?

NZ has three networks.

Telecom -
WCDMA 3G: 850MHz (Nationwide) and 2100MHz (in Major cities)
GSM: nill

Data: $1 per Day / 10MB (on the days you use it) OR $6 / 20MB OR $12 120MB OR $18 240MB OR $29.95 500MB.

Calls: $0.89/min (per second billing after the first minute)

Bonus Topup's: $20 = $25 OR $40 = $52 OR $60 = $80

SIM: $29.95, preloaded with $10 credit, $10 extra credit when you register your details.

Vodafone:
WCDMA 3G: 2100 MHz (Major Cities) and 900 MHz (outside 2100MHz areas) - Nationwide
GSM: 900MHz / 1800 MHz

Data: $1 per Day / 10MB (on the days you use it) OR $10 / 100MB OR $30 / 512MB

Calls: $0.89/min (rounded up to the whole minute)

SIM: $29.95 (unsure of what credit they come with?)

2 Degrees Mobile:
WCDMA 3G: 2100MHz, not yet available to the public
GSM: 900MHz / 1800MHz in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown, roaming to Vodafone 2G GSM outside these areas.

Data: $0.50c per MB

SIM: $2 with $2 credit or $20 with $20 credit.

Calls: $0.22 to 2 Degrees Mobiles and NZ Landlines within 30 days of last top up, $0.44 outside 30 days or to other Mobile Providers.

nzbnw

Update: Calls

ankan

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#287603 6-Jan-2010 22:28

I will take my Nokia N82 with me and use Fring on it to make Skype and SIP-calls. I guess I will connect it to my too.

Sound like if I choose Vodafone or Telecom it will be about $30+$30 to get a prepaid phonecard loaded with 500MB data.

If I choose 2degrees it would cost me 3 x $20 to get 600MB data/x hours voice.

So I still don't really know what SIM to choose.

Looks like Vodafone offer 100MB/month data when buying a prepaid card this month, or have I missed something?
http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/planPrepay.jsp?plantype=mobile&billingMethod=prepay&menuKey=mnit100011

I will arrive Auckland this weekend so I can join special offers like the one I found on vodafones site.

By the way, How do I load my sim with voice or data credits?

nzbnw

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#287610 6-Jan-2010 22:37

As you're phone is 2100MHz only in terms of 3G, you would be best with 2D or VF for nationwide coverage.

While Telecom do have 2100MHz coverage, as stated above it is limited and there is no GSM/GPRS/EDGE fall back as Telecom's network is 100% WCDMA with nationwide service on the 850MHz band.

nzbnw

ankan

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#287614 6-Jan-2010 22:46

nzbnw: As you're phone is 2100MHz only in terms of 3G, you would be best with 2D or VF for nationwide coverage.

While Telecom do have 2100MHz coverage, as stated above it is limited and there is no GSM/GPRS/EDGE fall back as Telecom's network is 100% WCDMA with nationwide service on the 850MHz band.

nzbnw

What does that meen to me when choosing SIM?

nzbnw

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#287624 6-Jan-2010 23:00

??

It means that the Telecom option isn't really an option for you.

nzbnw

ankan

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#287631 6-Jan-2010 23:27

If I don't use 3G and just use GSM. Is telecom not a option then?

How about free wifi hotspots. Is it common in New Zealand or is it best to get my own mobile broadband?

I don't need internet everyday when we are traveling in the caravan. Maybe 2degrees is all I need to check my mail and then connect to free wifi hotspots when I find one to do skype and sip-calls.

Okey if telecom is not really a option for me. Witch one of 2degrees and vodafone is best to use?

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#287640 7-Jan-2010 00:02

ankan: If I don't use 3G and just use GSM. Is telecom not a option then?

No. Telecom do not have a GSM network. It's 100% 3G.

Vodafone also have a 100% 3G network using both 900MHz and 2100Mhz 3G frequencies. They also have a GSM network.

How about free wifi hotspots. Is it common in New Zealand or is it best to get my own mobile broadband?

I don't need internet everyday when we are traveling in the caravan. Maybe 2degrees is all I need to check my mail and then connect to free wifi hotspots when I find one to do skype and sip-calls.

Okey if telecom is not really a option for me. Witch one of 2degrees and vodafone is best to use?

There are a lot of WiFi hotspots however free WiFi is nowhere near as common as in many other countries. You might want to have a look at www.tomizone.com as an option for WiFi.

2degrees is GSM only and at 50c per MB for data isn't affordable. Vodafone really is your best option.

ankan

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#287657 7-Jan-2010 04:09

If I choose 2degrees it would cost me 500MB x 50c = $25 and then maybe some $ for voice calls. If I choose vodafone it would cost me $30 + $30 = $60 to get a prepaid with 500MB internet.

The speed is not a problem for me I guess. SIP and skype needs around 64kbit I think and with GPRS and with EDGE there shouldn't be any problem.

What have I missed?

Good to know that there is nowhere near as common with free WiFi in NZ as in other countries.

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#287666 7-Jan-2010 07:30

500MB on 2degrees will cost you $250, not $25 at 50c per MB.

2degrees also only have their own network in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown. Outside these areas you will roam on Vodafone and only have access to Vodafone's GSM network with a 2degrees SIM.

VoIP over EDGE is absolutely terrible due to the latency and it's totally unusable on GPRS. On Vodafone's 3G network both SIP and Skype work well.

ankan

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#287673 7-Jan-2010 08:30

sbiddle: 500MB on 2degrees will cost you $250, not $25 at 50c per MB.

My misstake. You are right. 2degrees can't be a choise then.

Thanks for all good help I got here on this forum. I will buy a prepaid vodafone sim when I arrive Auckland. Can I buy the SIM-card and load it with data and voice on same place or do I have to visit special shops?

By the way, is it possible to check how much credits I have left on both data and voice if I buy a vodafon prepaid?

That special offer I found (look at my earlier questions). Do I get that if I buy the prepaid card in whatever shop I find it in or do I have to find a vodafone shop?
By the way, is there any Vodafone shops in Auckland in the city or near the airport.