Data card coverage in Taranaki

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dpw

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Topic # 9289 5-Sep-2006 13:54

Hi folks,

I'm trying to help a friend in Taranaki get broadband for her computer. She lives near the mountain, on Upper Durham Road. Unfortunately her line is hooked up to a cabinet that doesn't support broadband.

Her options are down to:
1. Xtra or BCL wireless and their exhorbitant charges,
2. See if I can conjure up a long-range wifi setup to piggy-back on someone else's broadband
3. Use Telecom/Vodafone data card.

Option 3 is a bit more appealing at the moment and it seems Telecom has better coverage compared to Vodafone. However, I'd like to find out for certain if that particular property is covered. Not having a Telecom data card I can't exactly test it.

Is there any other way I can find out about this?

Cheers,
Dany.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 45449 5-Sep-2006 13:59

Not really. The only guaranteed way is going up there and using a Telecom mobile broadband device, such as the Apache or a data card.

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dpw

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Reply # 45450 5-Sep-2006 14:02

I was afraid you might say that. I don't know anyone with Apache/data card here, let alone in Taranaki.

I thought using data card and smartphones are different? Don't they rely on different things?

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BrentR

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Reply # 45456 5-Sep-2006 16:11

You'd be far better off with a TCNZ card as VF doesn't have 3G coverage anywhere near the mountain (New Plymouth CBD only really)

tonyhughes

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Reply # 45457 5-Sep-2006 16:14

dpw: I was afraid you might say that. I don't know anyone with Apache/data card here, let alone in Taranaki.

I thought using data card and smartphones are different? Don't they rely on different things?

Same network, only difference is maybe different coverage capabilities between different hardware (i.e. one might be better than other).

Aerials are available to boost signal too, usually by a couple of bars.

If you get 027 phone coverage there, you will get Telecom Mobile Broadband... (mail your friend your phone?? :-))

bbman

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Reply # 45459 5-Sep-2006 16:49

if there's 027 coverage there, EVDO especially, the Sierra wireless aircard 580 with the Extension antenna will work awesome - Unfortunately the PCMCIA card by itself is not that good on avg coverage or lower as it's directional but the external antenna makes a hell of a difference.

On the 1GB data plan the card is $199 + GST and the plan is $49 + GST per mth for a GB, the antenna retails in stores with the nouse to sell em for $149, well worth it!!

The Minimax is also an option, not yet avail on the 1Gb plan but performs well with out an antenna.

I am not famillar with the area but if you are resonably close to the City outskirts you should pick up EVDO mobile broadband with the card and antenna. One way to make that happen is change the setting to only pick up EVDO, makes a big difference for me, EVDO is excellent when just out side of a city or town with EVDO on the main cellsite, the coverage can go for 20+KM from the cell with resonable speed (better the antenna, better the speed)

Hope this helps.

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dpw

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Reply # 45460 5-Sep-2006 16:50

tonyhughes:
dpw: I was afraid you might say that. I don't know anyone with Apache/data card here, let alone in Taranaki.

I thought using data card and smartphones are different? Don't they rely on different things?

Same network, only difference is maybe different coverage capabilities between different hardware (i.e. one might be better than other).

Aerials are available to boost signal too, usually by a couple of bars.

If you get 027 phone coverage there, you will get Telecom Mobile Broadband... (mail your friend your phone?? :-))

Hehehe...that's part of the problem. Both of us are on VF! I certainly don't know anyone with 027, will find out if she does. Are you sure about that assumption, i.e. 027 coverage = TMB coverage?

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bbman

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Reply # 45462 5-Sep-2006 16:59

if you are close to a town or City with EVDO mobile broadband then yes, this network dosn't breath like the 1xRTT network, or so i am told and i have seen in several areas the EVDO network work through atleast 2 cells of !xRTT, I.E in CHCH,

As an example i get EVDO with my antenna on my car 4 km before Rolleston on the State highway one heading to CHCH, i go through 2 1xRTT only sites before reaching CHCH outskirts in Hornby, 100m away for the sites in both cases on the main highway, the sites enabled with EVDO in this area are in Hornby. Thats around 17km by the crow, if not more. I am getting 1 - 2 bars of evdo with speed test of 200 + kbps ave download and 80 - 100kbps upload on speedtest.net.

I know in Rural Ashburton i can go 20km plus and still connect and get similar speeds if not better.

EVDO is good that way

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paradoxsm

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Reply # 45467 5-Sep-2006 18:09

I took a look and endured that horrid "www.telecom.co.nz" site and it shows her being outside coverage.
However not all is lost..
You will find pockets of coverage well outside what is listed on that horrid site (the data of which is which is "dec 2005" too)

If the little dicky antenna on the datacard does not work, you may be able to get an external antenna which may very well work.

Again the only real way is to borrow a "harrier" or "apache" pda device or a PC datacard and test the coverage, hold it up near windows too just to check.

Remember 1GB of data on 027 is just $55 now which is plenty for most "websurfers"

Good luck and be pleased to know your findings!

dpw

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Reply # 45469 5-Sep-2006 18:13

paradoxsm: I took a look and endured that horrid "www.telecom.co.nz" site and it shows her being outside coverage.
However not all is lost..
You will find pockets of coverage well outside what is listed on that horrid site (the data of which is which is "dec 2005" too)

If the little dicky antenna on the datacard does not work, you may be able to get an external antenna which may very well work.

Again the only real way is to borrow a "harrier" or "apache" pda device or a PC datacard and test the coverage, hold it up near windows too just to check.

Remember 1GB of data on 027 is just $55 now which is plenty for most "websurfers"

Good luck and be pleased to know your findings!

That's weird - which map did you look at? I looked at the Taranaki one and it seemed she's on the border between primary and secondary mobile data coverage, the two shades of green.

Did I read it completely wrong?

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tr3v

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Reply # 45471 5-Sep-2006 18:26

dpw: I was afraid you might say that. I don't know anyone with Apache/data card here, let alone in Taranaki.

Hi, I may be able to help out if you are not in too much of a hurry (i.e. this weekend). I am in New Plymouth with an Apache/Data card. How far up the road do I need to go, and how do you suggest I test performance?

dpw

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Reply # 45472 5-Sep-2006 18:37

Hiya, I'm actually going to be up there the weekend after (16/17 Sept). Can I possibly contact you closer to the time? Unless you feel like going for a drive this weekend?

If you do then the place is almost at the end of Upper Durham Road, around 4 km or so from SH3 intersection.

Cheers,
D.

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geekiegeek

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Reply # 45474 5-Sep-2006 18:48

Dany,

Damian here. Have youi thought about borrowing the dev laptop and the data card from your work for the weekend? if its just to test whether it connects and at what speed I would think David would be cool with it.

Just an idea.
D

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dpw

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Reply # 45481 5-Sep-2006 18:58

Jeepers!! What a (funnily) scary avatar! Took me a wee while to figure out who you are!

That's a good idea - I will have to ask him about that. I'm taking my laptop anyway so I only have to borrow the data card. Heck, didn't even know we have one of those.

Thanks for that!

Android user, software developer, a semi-typical (not a gamer) geek, and a Bernese Mountain Dog nut!

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geekiegeek

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Reply # 45482 5-Sep-2006 19:02

no worries man - thought you might get a supprise

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Loftus

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Reply # 45492 5-Sep-2006 20:53

Dpw,

Is your friends house at Upper Durham drive located off Junction Rd in New Plymouth?

If so, theres a good chance your friend is in the EVDO coverage zone. The closest CDMA site at Saltash St has EVDO equipment. However if my memory is correct Powerco, located further along Junction Rd, was in a very low-lying area and their Telecom coverage was not too flash.

As other have said, the best way to tell if you'll have coverage for sure, is to try it out.

I'd also highly recommend an externally mounted antenna as better coverage == better dataspeeds. Cellutronics.co.nz have a nice selection.

Good luck.

L.

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