[TelstraClear] Joining Telstra cable internet.

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rayonline

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#10922 19-Dec-2006 19:29

Hi, I am new to this site, just joined up.

I am located in Wellington, the bottom part of the not so newish part of Churton Park.

Is cable internet able available? My other questions are, given they do not use telephone exchanges how do they compare to say ADSL with a good ISP such as Orcon or Xnet on a non unlimited plan? The TCL option I am considering is the 4Mbit 10GB. The 10Mbit is a bit expensive. What is the transfer rate that I can obtain when downloading files such as game demo's and stuff? How many k/sec?

Do they provide a modem or can we buy one and how much is it?
I take it we just buy a wireless router to network it with other computers?
Lastly the Telstra phoneline, will it be a different number than a Telecom phoneline?

Many thanks.

freitasm

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#55893 19-Dec-2006 19:36

You can call TelstraClear and provide them with an address and they will tell right then if you can have cable modem service on that location.

They provide a modem, and you can attach a wireless router or a single computer - it's up to you for your configuration.

The phone number will be different. Number Portability is not here until April 2007.

I will leave to others to answer the question on speed, since my connection is 10 Mbps - and it is really good, with speeds of up to (and sometime more than) 1 MB/s (this is megabytes per second not megabits).

antoniosk

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#55895 19-Dec-2006 19:42

rayonline: Hi, I am new to this site, just joined up.

I am located in Wellington, the bottom part of the not so newish part of Churton Park.

Is cable internet able available? My other questions are, given they do not use telephone exchanges how do they compare to say ADSL with a good ISP such as Orcon or Xnet on a non unlimited plan? The TCL option I am considering is the 4Mbit 10GB. The 10Mbit is a bit expensive. What is the transfer rate that I can obtain when downloading files such as game demo's and stuff? How many k/sec?

Do they provide a modem or can we buy one and how much is it?
I take it we just buy a wireless router to network it with other computers?
Lastly the Telstra phoneline, will it be a different number than a Telecom phoneline?

Many thanks.

Ray

(I work for TCL)
1. I believe that part of churton park is covered - if you can see a thickish black cable hung on the power pole about 2 metres below the power lines, then you're covered.

2. TCL does have telephone exchanges, and cabinets in the CBD for business customers, with ADSL. Residential access has cabinets tied back to the central exchange, providing cable access. No ADSL in sight, which isn't a bad thing!

3. Orcon and Xnet use Telecom's access network - so any congestion there (and there is congestion there - see all the other threads on geekzone) will slow you down. TCL also has a busy cable network, but the average speeds you'll get tend to be quite high - again, check the threads on this website. Actual speeds when transferring files depends on the location of the file server, size of their connection to the internet and so on. The Microsoft website is very fast, as is Activisions.

4. On cable a Motorola modem is provided. Ethernet or USB presentation

5. You can attach a wireless Ethernet router to your cable modem - I use a Linksys WRG54. Or you can use a wired ethernet router - just don't get one with an ADSL modem built in

6. If you have a Telecom phone number now, you can get it ported to TCL free. You'll also get a TelstraClear number, and either will work fine. In April 2007 you'll be able to have just one number, when number portability is introduced by government mandate.

________

Antoniosk

mushion22

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#55924 20-Dec-2006 11:09

Just make sure you use the Telstraclear number when ordering pizza or calling places that check the caller ID. The CID comes up with your telstra number, not your old telecom number, although people can still call you on the telecom number which is redirected.

Once you go to cable, you'll realise how bad DSL really is in NZ =). Only bad thing i've found is TC's lack of peering but that's not really a major for most people.

Also check out various postings on here about setting up your router with the cable modem - people often get snagged if they let the TC tech hook up the modem directly to a computer and then try to set up their router.

chiefie

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#55925 20-Dec-2006 11:17

antoniosk: 6. If you have a Telecom phone number now, you can get it ported to TCL free. You'll also get a TelstraClear number, and either will work fine. In April 2007 you'll be able to have just one number, when number portability is introduced by government mandate.

This is freaking me out a bit... So comes April 07, what number will I have (to keep)? I have partial contacts on old Telecom number which is ported now, and some new contacts got my new TCL number... or do we have the options to keep both going/availabled even after April 07?

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sbiddle

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#55928 20-Dec-2006 11:42

chiefie:
antoniosk: 6. If you have a Telecom phone number now, you can get it ported to TCL free. You'll also get a TelstraClear number, and either will work fine. In April 2007 you'll be able to have just one number, when number portability is introduced by government mandate.

This is freaking me out a bit... So comes April 07, what number will I have (to keep)? I have partial contacts on old Telecom number which is ported now, and some new contacts got my new TCL number... or do we have the options to keep both going/availabled even after April 07?

As I understand it TCL will still keep both numbers active if you have ported prior to April. If you sign up after portability and port your number you will keep that and not be allocated a TCL number.

Their portability at present is simply just call forwarding - your Telecom number diverts to a TCL number but your CID still originates from your TCL number.

chiefie

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#55934 20-Dec-2006 12:12

Phew... sounds alright to me then.

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rayonline

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#55937 20-Dec-2006 12:48

Thanks guys. I rang Telstra this morning and my place is not covered. I went into Courtenay Central and the guy showed me the computer screen and its not covered. The place doesn't even have power lines let alone that black cable 2m under it. I think the cables in our area are underground

Man, I wished I can ditch Telecom.
What I am looking at now is Xnet on ADSL since they don't have terms or disconnection penalties or a transfer of telephone line to them or any toll charges min usage.

Cheers

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

antoniosk

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#55966 20-Dec-2006 19:34

chiefie:
antoniosk: 6. If you have a Telecom phone number now, you can get it ported to TCL free. You'll also get a TelstraClear number, and either will work fine. In April 2007 you'll be able to have just one number, when number portability is introduced by government mandate.

This is freaking me out a bit... So comes April 07, what number will I have (to keep)? I have partial contacts on old Telecom number which is ported now, and some new contacts got my new TCL number... or do we have the options to keep both going/availabled even after April 07?

Kelvin, for you we can even get a block of 100 numbers for just $60pa. Will that keep you sweet.....?

________

Antoniosk

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#55968 20-Dec-2006 19:52

Antonio, that sounds great. hehe.

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