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HiDefinition

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#127065 29-Jul-2013 00:00
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Evening gurus, some clarification required please regarding RBI type "wireless" broadband for a holiday home.

The property in question is on the North side of Waiheke Is between, Oneroa and Onetangi. There is absolutely no fixed line option, the site is some 2km from the nearest possible connection, it's never going to happen!

It's my understanding (from reading other posts - specifically from johnr) that RBI wireless broadband is 3G broadband - i.e. it uses the same towers and same technology.

Using the Vodafone map showing the 2/2.5G, 3G and 3G extended coverage, the property is well served. However, according to the RBI coverage map, it is not and as far as I can tell, never will be.

So what gives? Again, from reading other posts it appears that the difference relates specifically to the hardware and transmitters on the towers. And from what I can ascertain, said hardware etc, enhances the up/down speed thus enabling the gov't to meet its objectives for rural NZ covered by the UFB comittment?

The reason for this question is that, I called Vodafone last week to ask about 3G wireless at the site and was told that, despite having the coverage as per 3G etc, I would not be able to make use of wireless broadband because, the property was not covered by RBI.

Assuming I can utilise 3G wireless, can someone tell me what is the max length the lead in cable (from the external aerial) to the 3G modem can be?

Finally and again, assuming I can make use of the service, what sort of up/down speed might I expect - and how much slower than the RBI speed are we talking?

Apologies for asking such inane questions, your assistance is greatly valued.

Cheers

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lucky015
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  #867626 29-Jul-2013 06:11
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From what I understand RBI wireless is a service specifically set up for within certain areas (installers, tower upgrades, etc) Normal towers while capable of performing the core portions of this service are not considered prime locations for installer contracts and more complex systems to be set up right away.

Short answer: You can achieve a similar task through Home Phone Wireless and Mobile Broadband type device but you are not in an area deemed to be ready for primary coverage so they are not wanting to offer you a full install as it may not be up to expectations based on what is already present.

TLDR: Borrow or buy some equipment and test then look into the already available options rather than waiting for the full solution to be right at your feet.

Side Note: This service is not fibre and like with any other service in NZ other than fibre there is nothing that evenly remotely resembles a guarantee on speed.



sbiddle
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  #867632 29-Jul-2013 07:42
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Isn't there a WISP that covers most of Waiheke?


icepicknz
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  #867638 29-Jul-2013 08:19
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Provided you dont need to use a lot of data RBI should work... We have a test unit here in the office. While RBI is not supported where their map says it's not, it can generally be used just about anywhere.




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HiDefinition

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  #867685 29-Jul-2013 10:25
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icepicknz: Provided you dont need to use a lot of data RBI should work... We have a test unit here in the office. While RBI is not supported where their map says it's not, it can generally be used just about anywhere.


Thanks for the replies, much appreciated...icepick, what does your "test unit" comprise?
And what does it test per se'?

Cheers

HiDefinition

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  #867695 29-Jul-2013 10:31
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sbiddle: Isn't there a WISP that covers most of Waiheke?



Yep, thanks for the tip, YNet...I'd done a reasonably exhaustive Google search, unless I missed them, they hadn't come up by page 20...:-(
I've emailed them the coordinates, just waiting for them to get back to me.

Cheers

HiDefinition

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  #867698 29-Jul-2013 10:34
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lucky015:
Side Note: This service is not fibre and like with any other service in NZ other than fibre there is nothing that evenly remotely resembles a guarantee on speed.


Thanks for the insight.

In my experience, brief and limited as it is, fibre speeds are far from guaranteed...

Cheers

trig42
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  #867700 29-Jul-2013 10:45
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North Side between Onetangi and Oneroa, that's a fair bit of Real estate, most of it would be covered pretty well by 3G (and then 4G if and when Waiheke gets an upgrade). I'm not sure how you can be 2km from a road (and therefore a phone line) between those points. I can understand it easily beyond Onetangi.

If you are not down on a beach (like Hekerua Bay, Sandy Bay, Palm Beach), then Ynet should be able to help you out.

I have lived on Waiheke for over 30 years, so I know it reasonably well.

 
 
 

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

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  #867876 29-Jul-2013 14:53
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trig42: North Side between Onetangi and Oneroa, that's a fair bit of Real estate, most of it would be covered pretty well by 3G (and then 4G if and when Waiheke gets an upgrade). I'm not sure how you can be 2km from a road (and therefore a phone line) between those points. I can understand it easily beyond Onetangi.

If you are not down on a beach (like Hekerua Bay, Sandy Bay, Palm Beach), then Ynet should be able to help you out.

I have lived on Waiheke for over 30 years, so I know it reasonably well.


Thanks for the reply yes, it is a fair bit of real estate, more specifically then, the block of land (farm) to the North of, View Rd and Seaview Rd.
The site in question is on the Northern tip and whilst I haven't measured it, it's a f%!*ing long way from the nearest viable fixed line connection and the terrain in not conducive to laying cables...indeed, there's no power either.

The site is not "down" on the beach per se' rather, in an elevated position above. It is well protected (by natural terrain) to the South. As explained, there is currently satisfactory 3G cover there and as you say, 4G if and when.

I've contacted YNet and will await their reply.

Thanks again.

Cheers

coffeebaron
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  #867936 29-Jul-2013 15:48
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If you don't have any success with YNet, flick me a PM / Email. I can certainly get you sorted with a 3G solution that doesn't cost the earth (just half the earth).

Cheers
Fraser




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HiDefinition

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  #867940 29-Jul-2013 15:51
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coffeebaron: If you don't have any success with YNet, flick me a PM / Email. I can certainly get you sorted with a 3G solution that doesn't cost the earth (just half the earth).

Cheers
Fraser


Cheers Frazer, will do.

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