Hello from Canada...I also have a question please

Forums › Introductions › Hello from Canada...I also have a question please

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#105090 27-Jun-2012 04:58

Hello all,

I have just registered and looking forward to reading the posts on here. I currently live in Ontario, Canada, but I will be relocating to the Christchurch area in the next few months. I was hoping to read the NZ Connections thread on the forums here, but it is no longer available.

Does anyone know where I can get a comparable list of ISP's so that I may make an informed decision as to who I would like to use once I arrive in Christchurch. I have done some checking on my own, but a list would be good.

Cheers!

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

747 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#646755 27-Jun-2012 05:06

Welcome to Geekzone
http://www.telme.org.nz/telme may assist you. Also search Gewkzone forums.

that would be an ecumenical matter

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646756 27-Jun-2012 05:13

sarg: Welcome to Geekzone
http://www.telme.org.nz/telme may assist you. Also search Gewkzone forums.

Thanks so much for this link, I will check it out now. I did try searching the forums for the NZ Connections, but I haven't come up with anything else yet, I will keep looking.

Thanks again and I hope your weather is not to cruel to you at this time of year.

kiwitrc

4123 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#646758 27-Jun-2012 06:07

Welcome to NZ Mazzie.

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646759 27-Jun-2012 06:10

kiwitrc: Welcome to NZ Mazzie.

Thanks very much, I'm not there yet, but hopefully not too long.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79251 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#646786 27-Jun-2012 08:06

Every now and then there's a discussion about current ISP status. Check our NZ Broadband sub forum topics.

And welcome to NZ when you get here.

jamesrt

1609 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#646811 27-Jun-2012 08:56

Also it may pay to check "Consumer Magazine" (http://www.consumer.org.nz), which is (to quote the website): "an independent, non-profit organisation established in 1959 with the sole aim of getting New Zealand consumers a fairer deal.")

Consumer regularly reviews a whole bunch of things, including ISPs. Their latest report on the website is here:

http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/internet-providers

Most of the website is pay-to-view; but if you are coming over to live over here, you may feel it worth your time subscribing, as there is a lot of stuff in there about banking, insurance, credit cards, ISPs, Electricity suppliers, etc.

Disclaimer: Don't work for them, don't use the website, do have a subscription to the magazine which was gifted to me earlier in the year

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646830 27-Jun-2012 09:13

freitasm: Every now and then there's a discussion about current ISP status. Check our NZ Broadband sub forum topics.

And welcome to NZ when you get here.

That's great thanks a bunch. Thanks also for the welcome. I am really looking forward to getting there as I know that New Zealanders are the nicest people and that's one of the reasons why we are coming.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646836 27-Jun-2012 09:23

jamesrt: Also it may pay to check "Consumer Magazine" (http://www.consumer.org.nz), which is (to quote the website): "an independent, non-profit organisation established in 1959 with the sole aim of getting New Zealand consumers a fairer deal.")

Consumer regularly reviews a whole bunch of things, including ISPs. Their latest report on the website is here:

http://www.consumer.org.nz/reports/internet-providers

Most of the website is pay-to-view; but if you are coming over to live over here, you may feel it worth your time subscribing, as there is a lot of stuff in there about banking, insurance, credit cards, ISPs, Electricity suppliers, etc.

Disclaimer: Don't work for them, don't use the website, do have a subscription to the magazine which was gifted to me earlier in the year

Thank you also for your help, I'll be sure to check this out. I have done quite a bit of research, but haven't been able to decipher which ISP to go with, or Mobile Phone Company either. I must admit, I am having a hard time with the prices you guys pay in NZ. I know it's a small Country and the demand is not nearly the same as it is here in Canada, but wow it's definitely an eye opener.

For instance, I have a mobile phone here, with unlimited incoming calls, unlimited outgoing calls to my own province, (Ontario) call waiting, call forwarding, call display and 50 texts a month and I only pay $25/month for that, no contract, just month to month. I haven't been able to find anything comparable yet in NZ.

My Internet is a on cable, so very fast and I have 300GB/month and I pay $45/Month for it, also no contract just month to month. Having said all that, money is not everything and I will gladly trade the prices for being able to live in a Country with such nice people.

You have all been so kind, thank you once again.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#646851 27-Jun-2012 10:03

Just a note on the phone side. NZ uses a different mobile billing model to North America. We don't pay for incoming calls here, the caller is only charged for their outgoing calls.

For fixed line calling, general rule is local calls are free (included in monthly line cost). Call charges apply to calls outside your general urban area (say Christchurch city).

Trust thats useful. Welcome to GZ and later to Chc.

Azzura

603 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#646858 27-Jun-2012 10:09

Hiya Mazzie,

To put things in perspective.

I would say cell phone packages/data/cost is like it was in Canada 5 to 10 yrs ago. I could be wrong...but there isn't any of this unlimited stuff here in NZ (that I am aware of).

Internet is kinda twice the price here for half as much data you would get in Canada (these days). Data plans have been expanding here - I am on a 160GB plan, up from 80GB just a 1-2 months ago. Back in 04-05 it was 1GB the first month when we got here and 10GB's after that. Was a hard adjustment when you have unlimited data download since 1995 (in NB). But 160Gb feels awesome now! I just need a little more speed...its coming soon =)

If you end up staying at a hotel for a bit...don't expect any free internet like you get at hotels in Canada. Most hotels have a limited amount of free internet in the lobby for 10-20 min and or small amount of data (i've seen some as low as 20megs). Don't expect any free internet at the airport either (there could be some now...but not yet that I am aware of). A fair amount cafes offer free internet, you just have to find one.

Haha...if you think the plans for internet and cell data plans are a little confusing. Wait till you sit down to figure out which power company you want to deal with.

The guys on here are very helpful Geekzone (great bunch). When you pick your mobile and isp. If you have any issues with either and post on these forums in the appropriate area. Something amazing happens and I know you may find this hard to believe having prolly dealt with Shaw or Bell or Rogers or whoever.

Wait for it ------ a real live person with the company replies to your post and actually takes care of you like it is a personal mission --- it is truly amazing to see.

Good Luck in Chch.

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646861 27-Jun-2012 10:14

oxnsox: Just a note on the phone side. NZ uses a different mobile billing model to North America. We don't pay for incoming calls here, the caller is only charged for their outgoing calls.

For fixed line calling, general rule is local calls are free (included in monthly line cost). Call charges apply to calls outside your general urban area (say Christchurch city).

Trust thats useful. Welcome to GZ and later to Chc.

Yes, very useful, thanks. So it is similar to the U.K. for mobile phone's then. I am originally from there, so I know how that works. I don't have a landline phone here, never needed one as we just use our mobile's, but I might get one in NZ. I have a Magicjack so I will be able to use that for free calls back to North America. Just have to work out what to do for calls to family in the U.K. From what I have found, outgoing calls on mobiles are all the same price at approximately 44c/minute, any ideas who the best mobile phone Company would be to go with?

Thanks for the welcome, this seems like a nice place to be and I am definitely into computers so I will likely spend a bit of time here.

Mazzie

31 posts

Geek

#646868 27-Jun-2012 10:26

Azzura: Hiya Mazzie,

To put things in perspective.

I would say cell phone packages/data/cost is like it was in Canada 5 to 10 yrs ago. I could be wrong...but there isn't any of this unlimited stuff here in NZ (that I am aware of).

Yes, I am sure things will only improve in time, I like the 160GB bit, who are you with if you don't mind my asking?

Internet is kinda twice the price here for half as much data you would get in Canada (these days). Data plans have been expanding here - I am on a 160GB plan, up from 80GB just a 1-2 months ago. Back in 04-05 it was 1GB the first month when we got here and 10GB's after that. Was a hard adjustment when you have unlimited data download since 1995 (in NB). But 160Gb feels awesome now! I just need a little more speed...its coming soon =)

So, you are a fellow Canuck, that's nice to know. I would be quite happy with 160GB.

If you end up staying at a hotel for a bit...don't expect any free internet like you get at hotels in Canada. Most hotels have a limited amount of free internet in the lobby for 10-20 min and or small amount of data (i've seen some as low as 20megs). Don't expect any free internet at the airport either (there could be some now...but not yet that I am aware of). A fair amount cafes offer free internet, you just have to find one.

Don't think I'll be doing the Hotel thing thank goodness. Hubby will be coming over before me, he is going to be working on the rebuild as far as we can ascertain. He'll get digs or something until I get there and then we will decide what to do about housing after that I guess.

Haha...if you think the plans for internet and cell data plans are a little confusing. Wait till you sit down to figure out which power company you want to deal with.

Oh my gosh, I have heard that electricity is expensive, but it's expensive in most Countries now I believe. Nah, I won't have a hard time deciding, I'll just ask you LOL, as obviously from your comment you have done the research!

The guys on here are very helpful Geekzone (great bunch). When you pick your mobile and isp. If you have any issues with either and post on these forums in the appropriate area. Something amazing happens and I know you may find this hard to believe having prolly dealt with Shaw or Bell or Rogers or whoever.

Yep, Rogers definitely takes the cake when it comes to customer service that's for sure. Problem is you can't get the staff these days, they have the "if it's not on the shelf, we don;t have it" mentality.

Wait for it ------ a real live person with the company replies to your post and actually takes care of you like it is a personal mission --- it is truly amazing to see.

Wow! A real live person eh, are there still some of those about? Yep, that's another reason we are coming LOL.

Good Luck in Chch.

Thanks, I am looking forward to it.

Yank

14 posts

Geek

#646878 27-Jun-2012 10:44

I also came from North America and the phone and internet prices were a real shocker for me as I paid about $15 for a land line and $30 a month unlimited broadband. I would not recommend a land line even though they are getting more reasonable I use voip which also has better deals on National and international calls and Naked broadband which is still fairly new here is starting to become more competitive. I recommend you shop around and find the best deal to suit your needs. Cell phone pricing I like here because unlike where I came from the prepay credit here does not expire in one month but is good for a year which reall suits me as I use them very little. I think the three major carriers are Telecom, Vodafone and 2Degrees you can check their websites and see if they have what your looking for, any questions you may have about any certain ones may be best answered here as I am sure there are people using each one of them. Good luck

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#646885 27-Jun-2012 10:54

Mazzie: Just have to work out what to do for calls to family in the U.K. From what I have found, outgoing calls on mobiles are all the same price at approximately 44c/minute, any ideas who the best mobile phone Company would be to go with?

Thru your Broadband connection Voip based services are cheapest internationally as you know, and theres companies that offer those services. The main mobile companies Telecom/Vodafone offer some good international calling rates and deals (if you need to use your mobile) if you poke around on their websites.

If your other half is working with one of the rebuild companies they may get a mobile... again it'll be with either Telecom or Vodafone. So I'd start by knowing what those 2 are offering as each have their ways of bundling minutes and data, and friends/mates or family that are on the same network, into the calling plans.

Azzura

603 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#646886 27-Jun-2012 10:57

We are actually with Telecom, for phone and internet. I looked at a mobile....but the amount I would potentially use data would be a crazy monthly bill, I just can't bring myself to want to pay. I could imagine how many apps I would have running sucking data.

I do have a site I might suggest to you for helping to move to NZ (if you haven't found it already). They will have info on any moving companies, immigration - any question you can think of in regards to "the move" you might have - http://www.enz.org

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5