Looking for deals on mobile hotspot modems / mobile data

To post in this sub-forum you must have made 30 posts or have Trust status or have completed our ID Verification

Forums › Bargains and Deals › Looking for deals on mobile hotspot modems / mobile data

RogerMellie

350 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 198

#179214 31-Aug-2015 15:06

I have a friend arriving from Aussie next week. He will be in Auckland and Wellington over a period of 4 days, and will be *needing* mobile internet access at *all* times, so has tasked me with finding a good mobile hotspot modem and as much data as is economic. Free wifi is irrelevant as it is so often hobbled, and cannot be treated as reliable for his requirements.

Unfortunately last year he set himself a precedent by seeing a deal in Aussie and buying a new 3G mobile hotspot for A$39 (see attached image) which came with 5GB data via Optus (data valid for 1 month, Australia only).

I have looked at the webpages of Vodafone, 2Degrees, Spark, Skinny but can't find anyone who does 5GB or thereabouts for less than $89, and that's just for data. I am looking at at least $79 for a new 3G mobile hotspot.

Does anyone here know of any killer deals that are available here in NZ?

Many thanks.

jarledb

Webhead
3319 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1983

Moderator

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1377157 31-Aug-2015 15:21

You should take a look at the Zone packs - that is data packs for 2degrees where they have their own coverage and don't use Vodafones network.

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/zone-data-packs

12 GB for $99.

If he has a mobile hotspot already, he really only need a SIM.

Jarle Dahl Bergersen | Referral Links: Want $50 off when you join Octopus Energy? Use this referral code
Are you happy with what you get from Geekzone? Please consider supporting us by making a donation or subscribing.

loceff13

1089 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 340

#1377162 31-Aug-2015 15:26

Hasn't been any reasonable deals since last year when Voda was clearing sticks with a bonus 5GB data applied.

The cheapest data deal right now would be 2D offering double your first top-up(ie a $50 initial top-up could buy the 12GB Zone Data for $99)
https://www.cheapies.nz/node/2976

But it might not be ideal as you:

1) need to buy a SIM and arrange a transfer
2) need to wait until the new 2D SIM arrives
3) need to top-up and wait for credit to be doubled(unsure if instant or not)
4) need to find a compatible hotspot etc(or via a smartphone that does it at the expense of battery life)

haysking

50 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1377165 31-Aug-2015 15:28

skinny has $60 for 5gb but thats only there data sims you would have to get your own device

http://www.skinny.co.nz/data-pack

haysking

50 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1377168 31-Aug-2015 15:33

loceff13: Hasn't been any reasonable deals since last year when Voda was clearing sticks with a bonus 5GB data applied.

The cheapest data deal right now would be 2D offering double your first top-up(ie a $50 initial top-up could buy the 12GB Zone Data for $99)
https://www.cheapies.nz/node/2976

But it might not be ideal as you:

1) need to buy a SIM and arrange a transfer
2) need to wait until the new 2D SIM arrives
3) need to top-up and wait for credit to be doubled(unsure if instant or not)
4) need to find a compatible hotspot etc(or via a smartphone that does it at the expense of battery life)

note
One bonus per number ported
so one would to buy another providers sim and port it to 2degrees what could work

loceff13

1089 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 340

#1377171 31-Aug-2015 15:37

Yeah you can always sign your parents etc up for a 2D SIM too ;).

That Skinny deal might also be worth looking into, chances are those SIM's will work in any Telecom/Spark 3/4G device but can't confirm it myself.

haysking

50 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#1377173 31-Aug-2015 15:40

loceff13: Yeah you can always sign your parents etc up for a 2D SIM too ;).

That Skinny deal might also be worth looking into, chances are those SIM's will work in any Telecom/Spark 3/4G device but can't confirm it myself.

as long as they ant sim locked
um in saying that I've use skinny sim in a locked spark/telecom phone

Samsung

Shop now on Samsung phones, tablets, TVs and more (affiliate link).

RogerMellie

350 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 198

#1377734 1-Sep-2015 13:05

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll look into the links and advice above.

RogerMellie

350 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 198

#1378756 3-Sep-2015 09:10

I decided on getting the 5GB data SIM from Skinny.

Just be aware that their data-only SIMs have to be purchased online (https://www.skinny.co.nz/shop/data-sims/) and there is a 2-3 day wait time for it to be delivered.

My mates general rule of thumb is to pay no more than $10 / 1GB of mobile data, so this was the closest I could achieve.

Thanks again to everyone for your advice.