Best/cheapest data for brief New Zealand visit?

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ahkitj

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#228986 1-Feb-2018 23:56

Hello. So I've found myself in the need of visiting New Zealand fairly soon. I've been out of the game with the New Zealand mobile market so thought I should ask here.

I'll be in the country for approximately 1 to 2 weeks, and the more data for my MiFi hotspot the merrier. (I shouldn't need any minutes or any SMS as I'm using other options for those.)

As I have previously lived in New Zealand and upon leaving decided to keep my numbers, I have been keeping a Vodafone prepay SIM and a 2degrees prepay SIM alive with annual top-ups; they have $118 and $102 respectively, so to me it makes sense to use the balances on either.

First, can someone confirm that the best I can get on Vodafone is https://www.vodafone.co.nz/prepay/myflex/ and 4 GB, 50 mins and 50 SMS for $46?

Also, can someone confirm that the best deal I can get with 2degrees is https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/zone-data-packs for 12 GB, 0 mins and 0 SMS for $99?

Or am I missing something with either?

I am also willing to consider Skinny as I have two of their SIMs lying around unactivated should I choose them, and Spark tell me they have a kiosk at AKL and WLG if I chose them.

Thanks!

cadman

1014 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#1950409 2-Feb-2018 00:39

Since you have the credit already, 2degrees. Be aware the 'zone' data packs only work where 2degrees have their own network. Where you are roaming to Vodafone through 2degrees it won't be using that pack - it'll be casual rates eating up any credit balance. So for that purpose, I'd load on a prepay plan too. Or you can 'data clock' as required which I believe is not zone dependant. I know it says "no tethering" but they don't actually mean it.

Personally, I'd just use the cellphone as a hotspot - much easier to keep an eye on data use with the provider app.

In future, instead of topping up regularly to keep your numbers, just port the number around different providers every <12 months. It's virtually free - just need a SIM from the new provider (just the SIM number so anyone here can get them for you). Or port them to Skinny and leave them there - their minimum top is only $5.

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ahkitj

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1970931 7-Mar-2018 22:35

Thanks, cadman.

I like your idea of porting around. I do have a grandfathered prepay plan with Vodafone that I'd like to keep, but less so with my 2degrees prepay. Maybe I can stock up on some SIMs while I am in the country. I do have some Skinny SIMs somewhere around here though, so maybe at least with my 2degrees number (an 027 from the Telecom CDMA days) I can port to said Skinny and only spend $5 as you suggest.

Again, thank you!

richms

26393 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#1970941 7-Mar-2018 23:11

Sims expire and not all telcos are that nice about reactivating them to let you port to or get a new number assigned to them.

Richard rich.ms

wibble

85 posts

Master Geek

#1971723 9-Mar-2018 11:42

You can also get 10GB of national data for $49.

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/prepay/

This also give you 200 mins of calling and unlimited texts for a month.

ahkitj

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1972783 11-Mar-2018 19:17

richms:

Sims expire and not all telcos are that nice about reactivating them to let you port to or get a new number assigned to them.

With activated SIMs it is just a case of paying up the requisite recharge amount ($20/$5/whatever per year/month/whatever), though, right?

Unless you mean unactivated SIMs? I have a pile of unactivated T-Mobile USA SIM cards I have accumulated that have an "activate by" date on them, and I know from experience they're strict on those expiry dates.

wibble:

You can also get 10GB of national data for $49.

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/prepay/

This also give you 200 mins of calling and unlimited texts for a month.

I was thinking a little about the $49 plan wibble, good spotting!

I will be using other solutions for voice and SMS (AT&T USA Wi-Fi Calling on-account with possible Google Voice, for calls to the USA; Google Voice is also cheap enough for NZ calls), however, to minimise the impact on someone travelling with me. That and I will be using the 2degrees SIM in my MiFi hotspot, so I am planning to not be using any calling or SMS with it.

Also, I don't plan to visit NZ again any time soon, so the $99 plan seems fine. But I certainly appreciate your pointing the $49 plan out.

Thanks again, folks for the advice.

As an aside, if anyone per chance wants to chime in: what sorts of real-world speeds can I expect on 2degrees LTE, assuming the right equipment? I of course do not expect my overseas-sourced LTE hardware to necessarily reach such speeds, but I thought it'd be nice to know how much faster/slower it is to what I'm used to in the USA.

wibble

85 posts

Master Geek

#1972928 12-Mar-2018 08:13

Also, I don't plan to visit NZ again any time soon, so the $99 plan seems fine. But I certainly appreciate your pointing the $49 plan out.

The $49 option is not a plan, but a pre-pay pack. There is no long term commitment. If you are planning on being in the country for less than a month the $49 pack is half the price of the $99 and gives you nearly as much data so I'd argue it's a better deal on data alone (ignoring the text/voice).

When are you arriving, there might be some even better deals by then...

As an aside, if anyone per chance wants to chime in: what sorts of real-world speeds can I expect on 2degrees LTE, assuming the right equipment? I of course do not expect my overseas-sourced LTE hardware to necessarily reach such speeds, but I thought it'd be nice to know how much faster/slower it is to what I'm used to in the USA.

It's Monday 8am not far from the city centre and I'm getting 34Mbps down and 26Mbps up 17ms ping on an iPhone7.

wibble

85 posts

Master Geek

#1974399 14-Mar-2018 08:21

2degrees have just launched a new 15GB for $50 pack that is probably just what you are looking for.

ahkitj

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1976685 14-Mar-2018 19:14

wibble:

It's Monday 8am not far from the city centre and I'm getting 34Mbps down and 26Mbps up 17ms ping on an iPhone7.

Nice! Assuming that's typical speeds I might be rather at home. (Well, the download speed in any case. My upload speeds are slower.)

wibble:

2degrees have just launched a new 15GB for $50 pack that is probably just what you are looking for.

Nice find, wibble! Now I just have to find a use for the rest of the balance that's now around $122 after I had to recharge it this last week.

Thank you.

coffeebaron

6073 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1976694 14-Mar-2018 19:30

There is also Vodafone Travel SIM, possibly not what the OP needs in this case, but could help someone else.

https://www.vodafone.co.nz/travel-sim/

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