Which is the best way to get internet in a rural area, no phone line...

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Which is the best way to get internet in a rural area, no phone line...

pattiwhackz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#102869 24-May-2012 14:18

Hi all,
I'm looking for info on internet in a rural area. I have always had broadband connected via a phone line but there is no phone line in the cottage. Telecom are in the area, not unbundled. Is there another option, please? Hoping that someone reading this can answer/help. Much appreciated if you can.
Thanks.

Patti

LookingUp

411 posts

Ultimate Geek

#629910 24-May-2012 14:28

http://www.farmside.co.nz/

There are other non-satellite options, but these are generally local to specific areas so it will depend where you are.

Things are LookingUp.... A photo from my back yard :-)

jonb

1771 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#629915 24-May-2012 14:46

There are different options, all depending on where you live and your budget.

Put your address into the service availability tool at http://www.chorus.co.nz/sat
and see if you can get ADSL phoneline broadband, which is the best solution if it's an option.

Otherwise farmside, or they be a wireless (WISP) provider in your area.

The Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) is rolling out, see if your address is already covered or will be in the next year or so: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/media-centre/rural-broadband-initiative/coverage/

If you can be a light user, an XT or Vodafone data plan will be an option, but get's expensive quickly if you use a lot of data..

Zeon

3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#629925 24-May-2012 15:04

If you tell us where you are we will tell you what wireless providers are in your area.

Speedtest 2019-10-14

pattiwhackz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#629933 24-May-2012 15:15

Thank you for your replies. I shall be in Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat, Rodney, 0794

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#629937 24-May-2012 15:20

Vodafone upgraded the Dairy Flat 3G site about 3 weeks ago

John

Dynamike

167 posts

Master Geek

#629941 24-May-2012 15:26

If you can get Telecom XT coverage then a T-stick is the cheapest and easiest option. No installation costs other than a T-stick. Biggest problem is the low amount of data. I only get 4GB per month for $80. The price I pay for living in the countryside.

Farmside satellite is expensive for what you get. $99 + GST per month for only 4GB. It's the option when there are no other options. But if you never go to bed they do have cheap data rates from midnight to 8am.

grant_k

3539 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#630011 24-May-2012 18:41

pattiwhackz: Thank you for your replies. I shall be in Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat, Rodney, 0794

Pretty much all of Horseshoe Bush Road has excellent coverage from Vodafone's cellsites according to the coverage map:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/media-centre/rural-broadband-initiative/coverage/

We have recently connected via Vodafone's RBI service and the speed is awesome compared to what we used to get on an older wireless service. We do have a landline, but haven't used it now for 6 years as we have our phone service working via wireless broadband also.

As others have mentioned, you can use a Telecom T-Stick or Vodem, but the drawback is the small amount of data available before you hit your data cap and start paying exorbitant rates.

Vodafone's RBI plans solve this problem with 5 or 10GB data caps available, and the ability to purchase more data at $5 per GB if required:

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/broadband/wireless/

We are really happy with our connection, and glad to not be reliant on an unreliable old landline.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

coffeebaron

6233 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#630027 24-May-2012 19:46

@pattiwhackz I can sort you out with a solution. I'm a dealer for one of the RBI providers and helped Grant get sorted as above. Will flick you a PM.

Cheers
Fraser

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Broadband troubleshooting and master filter installs.
Starlink installer - one month free: https://www.starlink.com/?referral=RC-32845-88860-71
Wi-Fi and networking
Cel-Fi supply and installer - boost your mobile phone coverage legally

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

coffeebaron

6233 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#630028 24-May-2012 19:48

Ah, just noticed you don't accept PM (email). Click on my email button and send me some contact details and I get in touch.
Cheers

Rural IT and Broadband support.

Need help in Auckland, Waikato or BoP? Click my email button, or email me direct: [my user name] at geekzonemail dot com

pattiwhackz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#630033 24-May-2012 20:03

Cheers all, I shall look into all those suggestions. A big thank you for taking the time....