Planning a holiday to NZ

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Planning a holiday to NZ

matts231

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#61761 22-May-2010 18:33

So, I'm going to be going on holidays to NZ in early july. I'll also be after a prepaid Telecom SIM for while i'm there.

I've got a few questions, namely:

* Is there a Telecom store at/near Christchurch airport?
* How easy is activating the SIM? i.e what details do I need, can it be done in store, and do I need to be a new zealand resident to activate it?
* I'll only be using data, so i'm thinking of a prepaid wireless broadband SIM - can you use these in an iPhone?

Thanks,

Matt

l43a2

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#333353 22-May-2010 19:31

matts231: So, I'm going to be going on holidays to NZ in early july. I'll also be after a prepaid Telecom SIM for while i'm there.

I've got a few questions, namely:

* Is there a Telecom store at/near Christchurch airport?
* How easy is activating the SIM? i.e what details do I need, can it be done in store, and do I need to be a new zealand resident to activate it?
* I'll only be using data, so i'm thinking of a prepaid wireless broadband SIM - can you use these in an iPhone?

Thanks,

Matt

if you go on google maps an type in Christchurch airport then go search near by an enter in "orb" or telecom, you will find the cloest store to the airport.

Simcards are easy to activate, soon as you buy it you can use it, you dont need to be a NZ resident to buy or use one. the telecom XT network supports IPhones.

i hope this helps.

freitasm

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#333356 22-May-2010 19:46

Just remember Telecom uses a WCDMA 850MHz network. It's the same as Telstra NextG. If you are with any other Australia operator your device may not support this.

Yes, the iPhone does 850MHz WCDMA and fits well into that...

1eStar

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#333367 22-May-2010 19:57

You'll need to make sure your iPhone is SIM unlocked. Not many countries sell them unlocked. Also you'll need to set the APN to Internet.telecom.co.nz

matts231

29 posts

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#333372 22-May-2010 20:02

freitasm: Just remember Telecom uses a WCDMA 850MHz network. It's the same as Telstra NextG. If you are with any other Australia operator your device may not support this.

Yes, the iPhone does 850MHz WCDMA and fits well into that...

Hence my reason for choosing telecom :).

Just wanting to confirm though - will a prepaid mobile broadband SIM work?

matts231

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#333373 22-May-2010 20:03

1eStar: You'll need to make sure your iPhone is SIM unlocked. Not many countries sell them unlocked. Also you'll need to set the APN to Internet.telecom.co.nz

It's unlocked. So Telecom don't hide the APN settings on the iPhone? My iPhone is on Telstra here, and while the Telstra SIM is in, the APN settings are hidden.

freitasm

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#333374 22-May-2010 20:05

Yes, it will work.

1eStar

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#333378 22-May-2010 20:14

APN settings are able to be custom configured. If you'd like to preconfigure your iPhone so all the settings are right before you insert your new SIM. You can load a custom carrier bundle available for free from iphonewzealand.co.nz
I'd personally recommend you purchase a prepaid SIM and get the 500meg data addon which you pay 10c per meg until you hit $30 for the month.

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PhoenixNZ

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#333380 22-May-2010 20:16

There is an Orb Communications store in Burnside, Christchurch.

Orb Communications
36 Sheffield Crescent

Burnside

Christchurch

However you dont specifically need a Telecom dealer to get a prepaid SIM card, most electronics shops that sell Telecom devices will be able to provide one (such as Dick Smith, The Warehouse) and they are all preloaded with the 500mb data plan.

matts231

29 posts

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#333408 22-May-2010 22:38

PhoenixNZ: There is an Orb Communications store in Burnside, Christchurch.

Orb Communications
36 Sheffield Crescent

Burnside

Christchurch

However you dont specifically need a Telecom dealer to get a prepaid SIM card, most electronics shops that sell Telecom devices will be able to provide one (such as Dick Smith, The Warehouse) and they are all preloaded with the 500mb data plan.

Hmm okay, so the 500MB data plan is an option when activating the SIM?

PhoenixNZ

52 posts

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#333430 23-May-2010 00:02

matts231:

Hmm okay, so the 500MB data plan is an option when activating the SIM?

Its the one thats on by default. When you start using the data stick you are charged at 10c per MB until you hit 300mb of data (which costs 29.95). After this the next 200mb in the month is free meaning you get 500mb total for $29.95.

Also be aware its done on a calendar month so if you start using it part way through the month it doesn't carry over to the following one.

1eStar

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#333514 23-May-2010 09:02

Maybe a data USB stick comes with a default data plan..., but you'll be getting just a Prepaid SIM pack, which by default is $1 a day for up to 10meg. After activating the SIM you'll need to ring *333 and the options in there will allow you to choose your data extra. The telecom website shows three data addon amounts for $6 $12 and $18, but there are more available, namely the 500meg for $30 and the 1gig for $50.

PhoenixNZ

52 posts

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#333518 23-May-2010 09:14

1eStar: Maybe a data USB stick comes with a default data plan..., but you'll be getting just a Prepaid SIM pack, which by default is $1 a day for up to 10meg. After activating the SIM you'll need to ring *333 and the options in there will allow you to choose your data extra. The telecom website shows three data addon amounts for $6 $12 and $18, but there are more available, namely the 500meg for $30 and the 1gig for $50.

The Prepaid SIMs all come with the 500mb plan loaded as default. Because it works in a similar manner to how $10 text used to you dont need to specifically call up to get that plan loaded.

teletek

45 posts

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#333559 23-May-2010 11:31

PhoenixNZ:
1eStar: Maybe a data USB stick comes with a default data plan..., but you'll be getting just a Prepaid SIM pack, which by default is $1 a day for up to 10meg. After activating the SIM you'll need to ring *333 and the options in there will allow you to choose your data extra. The telecom website shows three data addon amounts for $6 $12 and $18, but there are more available, namely the 500meg for $30 and the 1gig for $50.

The Prepaid SIMs all come with the 500mb plan loaded as default. Because it works in a similar manner to how $10 text used to you dont need to specifically call up to get that plan loaded.

I'm pretty sure its only the Prepaid USB Data sticks that come with 500MB preloaded and set to the 500Mb + 500Mb.

Prepaid Sim Packs come with the defaults of Casual Text & Casual Data.

You're best to confirm which plan you're on when you get your SIM by dialing *333 and following the IVR prompts to setup for 500Mb + 500Mb which is the highest Prepaid Data plan available now for Prepaid on the IVR.