Using mobile phone phone as modem, usage problem

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Using mobile phone phone as modem, usage problem

keyz

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#12100 28-Feb-2007 03:30

Hi guys

IM not from new zealand but, since theres no other broadband specific forum, i thought i'd post here.
Anyway the question is pretty broad....

Ive been looking into the possibility of using my phone as a modem, however i would like to know, if the speeds are actually worth it. Also i have a cap of 2gb per month, i plan on using it for university work and playing games online. I know i may be stating the obvious but isnt that way too low? or am i better off paying for a landline? Thanks for feedback...

raytaylor

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#62726 4-Mar-2007 17:06

You are much better off paying for a landline. It would probably be cheaper than your 2gb cellular plan, and give you much more bandwidth.

Ray Taylor

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freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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Geekzone

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#62729 4-Mar-2007 17:18

Welcome to Geekzone...

First, there's no 2GB (GB is gigabyte, gb is gigabit) plan from operators in New Zealand. There's a 1GB plan ($49/month) and Vodafone offers a $10 option to have 100% added (another 1GB) to your plan,

As for speeds, if you are in a 3G coverage area you can get something between 200Kbps through 1Mbps average speeds, depending if you are using Vodafone (UMTS/HSDPA) or Telecom New Zealand (CDMA EVDO). Mind you 3G coverage is only in the main centres and speeds flutctuate a lot.

If you want broadband it's cheaper and more reliable to get a wired option - either DSL or cable modem services depending on where you will be living. Also available is Woosh wireless, which uses a special modem and provide wireless broadband, but only in a few main centres.

If your 2GB plan is actually one you have from somewhere else, remember that data roaming is very expensive, so don't plan to use your existing mobile phone from an overseas operator here.