Free wireless modem

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Free wireless modem - questions

zion

16 posts

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#39573 17-Aug-2009 12:08

Currently Telecom are offering a free wireless modem on 12 month connections.

I have a number of questions, if someone may be in the know;

What model is this?
How does it perform?
And most specifically, does it have a LAN port for direct connection to a PC or hub?

Thanks :)

freitasm

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#247581 17-Aug-2009 12:15

It is one of their two USB modems. You plug to a USB port on your laptop/PC - if you want it to be used as a network access for your LAN then you're looking for something like the Cradlepoint. I have one and it works well with both Telecom and Vodafone USB modems.

Paulthagerous

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#247584 17-Aug-2009 12:18

zion: Currently Telecom are offering a free wireless modem on 12 month connections.

I have a number of questions, if someone may be in the know;

What model is this?
How does it perform?
And most specifically, does it have a LAN port for direct connection to a PC or hub?

Thanks :)

1) Model is Thomson TG585 Wireless Multi-User ADSL2+ Modem, details can be found here:
https://www.telecom.co.nz/broadband/wireless

2) I got one of these modems the first week Telecom switched to them (maybe a year ago now, I am not sure). I don't get much exposure to other modems, but I rate it much better than the old D-Link one I had. I am sure others here will be able to give you more detail about it compared to netgear etc modems. But it is free, so you can always test it yourself and if you dont like it buy yourself another make/model.

3) It has 4 LAN ports in the back. For me this replaced my old dlink modem and hub AND gave me wireless, so tidied up my ddesk a bit :)

Paulthagerous

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#247586 17-Aug-2009 12:20

freitasm: It is one of their two USB modems. You plug to a USB port on your laptop/PC - if you want it to be used as a network access for your LAN then you're looking for something like the Cradlepoint. I have one and it works well with both Telecom and Vodafone USB modems.

As there are no free data cards on 12 month contracts I can see on the TNZ website, I assume he is talking about landline broadbamd, where he can get a free wireless modem. May be wrong though...

zion

16 posts

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#247590 17-Aug-2009 12:27

Paulthagerous: I assume he is talking about landline broadband, where he can get a free wireless modem.

Yes.

Sorry, should have made it clearer in light of the fact that this subsection of the forum covers mobile as well as fixed line broadband. Thanks for highlighting :)

Paulthagerous: 3) It has 4 LAN ports in the back. For me this replaced my old dlink modem and hub AND gave me wireless, so tidied up my ddesk a bit :)

That's appreciated thanks. Sounds like it would be ideal for my environment, which occasionally includes some multiplayer LAN gaming :)

Paulthagerous

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#247594 17-Aug-2009 12:30

I have found that ping times too are BETTER than they were on the old Dlink (obviously great for gaming!). Still wouldn't exactly call them great, but an improvement (in my case at least)...

NonprayingMantis

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#247711 17-Aug-2009 15:11

I've recently upgraded from the old dlink wireless to the thomson wireless, and I have found that, as a non-techy person, it is far easier to set up and use than the dlink.
The interface actually makes intuitive sense.

nate

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#247721 17-Aug-2009 15:21

NonprayingMantis: I've recently upgraded from the old dlink wireless to the thomson wireless, and I have found that, as a non-techy person, it is far easier to set up and use than the dlink.
The interface actually makes intuitive sense.

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ajobbins

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#247737 17-Aug-2009 15:43

I changed from Xnet to Xtra about 2 weeks before they changed from the Ethernet only to the Wireless modems :(

I would be happy to sign up for another 12 months if Telecom would like to give me one...

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freitasm

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#247743 17-Aug-2009 15:54

Ooops. I see I was replying thinking of their mobile broadband modems... I am out of here!

grb67

63 posts

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#247921 17-Aug-2009 21:11

The Thomson wireless works well. Almost always noticed an increase in speed when replacing a DLink.
Easy to set up. The average user can't mess with the settings. (Use telnet if you want to change the default IP range etc etc, if you can't telnet, you shouldn't be changing things:))
Currently free on all Telecom 3 Gb plus plans with 12 month contract and Free on Total Home with 24 month contract. I always recommend getting the wireless one, your next computer will be a laptop.

mcb

18 posts

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#250834 26-Aug-2009 21:25

my next pc may be a laptop but my current ones aren't. with this modem is it possible to turn off the wireless functions if i'm just using the ethernet at the back?

nzbnw

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#250847 26-Aug-2009 21:45

mcb: my next pc may be a laptop but my current ones aren't. with this modem is it possible to turn off the wireless functions if i'm just using the ethernet at the back?

The TG585 has 4 Ethernet ports available for use. No need to turn the wireless off, it is encrypted out of the box.

nzbnw

NoranRadd13

27 posts

Geek

#250849 26-Aug-2009 21:48

You can turn the wifi off buy holding the little button on the front for about 10 sec if you really need it. But like nzbnw said, why bother?

mcb

18 posts

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#250854 26-Aug-2009 21:55

well yes i know, i just don't like all those unnecessary radio waves around the house. next house i'm gonna line it with x-ray proof gib if i can afford it. maybe i could shield the little aerial in mesh and aim it out the window at the neighbours cat.

Paulthagerous

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#250855 26-Aug-2009 21:56

nzbnw: The TG585 has 4 Ethernet ports available for use. No need to turn the wireless off, it is encrypted out of the box.

NoranRadd13: You can turn the wifi off buy holding the little button on the front for about 10 sec if you really need it. But like nzbnw said, why bother?

Allthough I agree in theory, in reality having the wireless off COULD save a reasonable amount of electricity if it is on for long periods, and reduce chances of overheating or other such problems. But that is just a small thing...