Is a two year ISP contract a good idea?

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tfield

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Topic # 113857 30-Jan-2013 10:44

Hello there - first time poster but avid reader.

Just back from a year overseas and looking at phoneline and broadband installs.

Not a gamer or a downloader, but intend to become a streamer - we used to have mySky but I don't think it's worth it so I will be signing up with unlock-us or simliar and streaming Netflix US and BBC.

Looking at my ISP options, Flip would be best (I like the idea of buying data blocks as usage is likely to vary) but they're not available in my part of Wellington. I used Orcon before and don't like their idea of customer service. So I'm leaning towards Snap. Phoneline + ADSL2, 25GB for $75/month.

They are offering a one-year or two-year contract, if you go with two years and chuck in $50 extra they will provide a Fritz (great name) 7390 router. My current router is a Dynalink of three(?) years vintage.

Is signing up for two years and getting the router a good deal, or will I regret it, say when UFB comes along leaving me stuck with the contract? Although having said that I'm not sure I'd be desperate to go UFB the minute it became available.
Or is two years just too long to sign up for with anyone? The termination fee after the first year is $150.

Thoughts and opinions anyone ?

Thanks in advance.

sidefx

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Reply # 753143 30-Jan-2013 10:57

I decided to go with a 2 year contract in exchange for for a fritzbox 7340 - great piece of kit and I haven't regreted it. If you know you'll be with them for at least 1 year, then the $150 termination fee seems completely reasonable for the fritzbox.

I personally wouldn't bother with the 7390 though; the main advantage I can see on it is extra ethernet ports so you could just go for the 7340 and get a cheap gigE switch (~$15-20) to put behind it if you need them (the 7340 has gigE, but only 2 ports) I think the 7390 also has some more advanced telephony stuff and extra RAM, but nothing essential in my view.

Also, I think (but you might want to check this) that you can upgrade to a UFB contract with snap from ADSL with no penalties.

Varying data caps are also no problem with snap - their web account management system lets you log in and change it month-to-month on the fly.

(EDIT: I'd also think about forgoing the phoneline unless you really need it - many people on these forums do 100% fine on VOIP, myself included, and while it's not that much cheaper than the phoneline deals you get a lot more features and options IMO)

reven

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Reply # 753211 30-Jan-2013 12:43

$50 for the better model fritzbox, i'd pay the extra $50, not much and you may need a couple more ports in future.

i bought the 7340 from snap a few months ago, best router ive ever used, used to get frequent disconnects with netgear and linksys ones, and could take hours to reconnect with those (even after manual reboots/shutdowns). with fritzbox i rarely get a disconnect and if i do get disconnected i'm quickly reconnected.

however the wifi in it sucks, and has a pathetic range, using my old linksys router as a wifi hotspot now.

oh and on the 2 year contract thing, err 2 years is probably fine, there has been some really amazing price reductions in ISPs the last few months, which makes you wonder what it would be like in a years time...