Free Modem Upgrade for Existing Xtra Customers

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cyril7

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#286679 3-Jan-2010 14:38

Hi, Seasons greatings also, dont talk about the weather :( Looks like you are not to be cabinetised and based on your distance from the PRM exchange I doubt you will ever get much more than ADSL1 speeds out of the line anyway, but hey, one never can tell.

I have a number of old 604's pressed into WiFi AP service, seems a good retirment option for them :)

Cheers
Cyril

edge

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#286685 3-Jan-2010 15:03

Ah well, Its only my kids that complain about the speed when they are home from Uni - its generally adequate for an old fella like me!

With a new four lane expressway I will end up with a local road at my gate rather than SH1 - subdivision? More houses might equal improved infrastructure - although probably not in my lifetime!

"It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of what he was never reasoned into."
— most commonly attributed to Jonathan Swift, author/theologian

Wade

2225 posts

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#287267 5-Jan-2010 20:46

Well, this afternoon the courier dropped off my new modem, took less than 10 minutes from unpacking the box, plugging it in and securing the wireless.

These modems might be hated for being geekproof but they are an absolute blessing in disguise for the wireless networking ignorant such as myself :P

Top marks TCNZ, you couldn't have made it easier or any more hassle free!

Ragnor

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#287650 7-Jan-2010 01:58

Yeah I'll admit they are well suited for cases like yours.... but this is GEEKZONE, don't you want to modulate the flux capacitor!

The main thing that bothers me is the contract length, a lot can happen in 24 months... pretty long time to be locked in.

Wade

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#287664 7-Jan-2010 07:16

It's $199 to buy out of the contract, that said what is a ADSL2 wireless 4 port router modem thingy worth to buy new? I needed to buy a new modem anyway so I imagine it would have cost me 100~150 upfront anyway to upgrade so the difference is very little and pay later maybe instead of pay now definitely :P

quickymart

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#287665 7-Jan-2010 07:19

I got my RTA1025W for around $150, in 2006. I'm sure they're less than that now.

Ragnor

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#287821 7-Jan-2010 15:35

Yeah about $110 these days for a RTA1025W I think.

With the TG585 if I remember rightly you can't change the adsl username/password without using the CLI interface or flashing non Telecom firmware. It would be pointless terminating the contract early as the average joe wouldn't be able to use the device on a different ISP anyway.

So you could say that if you are happy to stick with Telecom for the next 2 years you'll save about $110 aka $1 per week (over two years).

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cokemaster

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#287827 7-Jan-2010 15:47

Ragnor:
With the TG585 if I remember rightly you can't change the adsl username/password without using the CLI interface or flashing non Telecom firmware. It would be pointless terminating the contract early as the average joe wouldn't be able to use the device on a different ISP anyway.

I have a 585 right here, and can easily change the username and password from the web interface. Unlike the old dlinks, you don't need to click save and reboot.

By default they are programmed with user@xtrabb.co.nz - so if you have Telecom broadband, you just plug it in and turn it on. The present WPA keys are also very good too.

I've personally found that the modem is fairly reliable, and handles hosting games (broadwar, battlefield 2 etc) quite well. Admittedly I don't use VPN's, but do use SSH with no issues.

webhosting

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Wade

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#287831 7-Jan-2010 15:58

I struggle to see peoples concerns with locking in to a 2 year term :P I (usually) read the fineprint and am very cautious to jumping into 'free or discounted' deals or services but for me there is little if any real risk as I have spent the last 6odd years with them and see no reason to change, their range of plans suit me, I am only locked in to Telecom ISP not locked into a specific plan so can still opt to change to a more suitable plan from their offering should my usage change.

grb67

63 posts

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#290992 18-Jan-2010 22:17

Shame on you "geek", to make changes to the Thompson modem that aren't on the basic menu you just telnet in.

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