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Slowbozo

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#204500 4-Oct-2016 17:44
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Hi there,

 

I currently reside in Ardmore, South Auckland. It's classified as a rural area but a short drive to Papakura, Clevedon etc.

 

We're with Spark at the moment but we're looking to change providers as they don't provide satisfactory services. We average 400kbps - Coming from a household of at least 10mbps it's absolutely SHOCKING. I can't remember the last time I watched a video over 360p

 

Spark has said there's absolutely no way that they can increase our speed as we're too far away from the (communications?) box - 4g Modems are not an option either as we're out of range. They've also told me we can't expect our lines to be upgraded until another year ATLEAST.

 

SO. I want to know if Farmside is worth singing up to - They've told me we're in great coverage for the 4G Self Install modem and we can expect massive speed increases, but I'm not totally confident in that as a Spark rep told me over the phone that we're not in 4G coverage for any provider (blatant lie or?)

 

If anyone can give me their opinion of the company and what I could expect that would be great!

 

 


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michaelmurfy
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  #1645356 4-Oct-2016 17:57
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Farmside will likely be worse.

Flick me a DM with your address - I can look at some options for you.





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Slowbozo

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#1645366 4-Oct-2016 18:29
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Worse, Really? I thought being a 4g Modem I'd have exceptional speed. Then again I don't know a whole lot about this field!


  #1645367 4-Oct-2016 18:31
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vodafone RBI?




michaelmurfy
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  #1645375 4-Oct-2016 18:48
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Yeah I would suggest asking Ultimate Broadband looking at your address - http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html

 

Don't go with Farmside - they're terrible (IMO). There isn't anything in your area for Uber Wireless or there is no plans to upgrade your area with faster landline copper. The Spark address checker is however showing coverage so could be worth trying to signup with them?

 

@coffeebaron could likely chime in with some options since this is his turf (Clevedon-Takanini Road, Auckland)





Michael Murphy | https://murfy.nz
Referral Links: Quic Broadband (use R122101E7CV7Q for free setup)

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johny99
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  #1645377 4-Oct-2016 18:49
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Not the cheapest but compass wireless (WiMAX) is an option, they do 10/3 so not too bad.

Slowbozo

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  #1645384 4-Oct-2016 19:33
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michaelmurfy:

 

Yeah I would suggest asking Ultimate Broadband looking at your address - http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html

 

Don't go with Farmside - they're terrible (IMO). The Spark address checker is however showing coverage so could be worth trying to signup with them?

 

 

 

 

I will look into Ultimate broadband, thank you for the suggestion. Even though I've seen a few bad posts about Farmside, however I may give their 30day trial a go. I don't really have anything lose - Spark is our current provider


  #1645437 4-Oct-2016 20:25
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are you testing the signal with your cell phone? cause it could be a lot different with an external aerial installed.

 

for ultimate, check out the vodafone coverage map here: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/coverage/

 

Select rural broadband and then choose one of the 4 selections.

 

looks like most of the area has 3g with an aerial, sporadic 4G but it looks to be planned and patchy without an aerial.


 
 
 

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Slowbozo

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  #1645459 4-Oct-2016 20:59
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Jase2985:

 

are you testing the signal with your cell phone? cause it could be a lot different with an external aerial installed.

 

for ultimate, check out the vodafone coverage map here: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/coverage/

 

Select rural broadband and then choose one of the 4 selections.

 

looks like most of the area has 3g with an aerial, sporadic 4G but it looks to be planned and patchy without an aerial.

 

 

Just checked with the coverage map, very annoyingly we're in a small red box where 4g w/ariel is unavailable - However 3g w/ ariel is.. orange? I guess that means it's available. How is the speed with 3g?


  #1645462 4-Oct-2016 21:03
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30ish down 5 up is common i think, pretty sure it goes higher though. you also get more data with 3g (check the ultimate site for the plans)


Rikkitic
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  #1645526 4-Oct-2016 23:53
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We often get Farmside advertising because of where we live. When we were on dial-up and desperate, we looked long and hard at their satellite service. I am glad to say we held out for something better until RBI came along. I don't have actual experience of Farmside, but their advertising and web site plans don't impress me much, especially when I compare them to our RBI. They charge far more for much less and their T&C seem fairly onerous. 

 

 

 

 





Plesse igmore amd axxept applogies in adbance fir anu typos

 


 


kingjj
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  #1645927 5-Oct-2016 14:00
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A colleague who as up until recently on Farmside Satellite in South Canterbury got hit with a $450+ overage charge one month thanks to the Windows 10 self download (he's not the most tech savy so had no inclination to avoid it, he would still rather be using XP). He couldn't speak highly enough of Farmside on this occasion. He called them to inquire about the overage and they wiped it without him even asking. They certainly have their issues but on this occasion their customer service was excellent. He's now on RBI with a much better data cap which he will never get near using (he's an email-check-the-weather-and-stock-prices kind of guy only). My two cents on Farmside.


raytaylor
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  #1648151 9-Oct-2016 19:03
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Go with ultimate. Farmside 4g is different to the satelite service, but Ultimate has much better customer support in general.

 

3g speeds typically average around 3 to 5mbits

 

4g can be anything from 5mbits to 30mbits

 

It all depends upon signal levels and the maps dont really take trees and other objects into account. So you may be in luck even if it shows you are marginal.





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