Advice requested: low usage phone and internet plans

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mm1352000

1148 posts

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#138583 9-Jan-2014 18:44

Hello everyone

My mum has asked me to help her find a phone and internet solution. Looking around, I'm not really finding anything that really fits. Would appreciate advice...

The requirements are minimal. In short: functional, reliable and cheap.

Internet: mum hardly uses it except to check email and watch the odd Youtube video. Probably just as important is that kids, grand kids and friends could use it for homework and/or the odd Google search when they're at her place. In short 5 GB per month would be more than sufficient for cap; speed doesn't matter as long as it is broadband; objectionable content filtering ALA Maxnet would be a bonus.

Phone: a home phone is really desirable as mum wants to remain accessible for people who can't afford [long] cellphone calls. Probably wouldn't matter if it is VOIP or POTS - just as long the service is simple and reliable like a traditional phone service. She does have a "feature" cellphone (ie. not a smartphone - no data) which she uses a fair amount for txting, but I don't think she makes very many calls (estimate 300 minutes per month???).

Every popular phone/ISP company I look at - the Telecoms, Vodafones, Orcons and Slingshots of this world - have great family internet/phone deals. Typically $75+ for 30+ GB per month + home phone + [insert competitive differentiator here]. These are reasonable... but the internet cap is massive overkill and in general it is more than what mum wants to spend.

A $19 or $29 cellphone plan seems really attractive value wise. Not having a home line wouldn't be ideal, but I guess if somebody wanted to call her she could call them back with the copious free minutes they put on such plans these days. The bigger problem is mum is not very IT literate. I'm not sure that she'd be truly comfortable with such a solution: tethering to her laptop for internet, avoiding being stung for using too much data...

Comments or suggestions would be appreciated!

mm

PS: Mods, please feel free to move the thread. It isn't strictly broadband... but nor is it strictly phone... and nor did I think it was right to put it in "off topic".

PeterReader

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Geekzone

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#964036 9-Jan-2014 18:44

Hello... Our robot found some keywords in your post, so here is an automated reply with some important things to note regarding broadband speeds.

If you are posting regarding DSL speeds please check that

- you have reset your modem and router

- your PC (or other PCs in your LAN) is not downloading large files when you are testing

- you are not being throttled by your ISP due to going over the monthly cap

- your tests are always done on an ethernet connection to the router - do not use wireless for testing

- you read this topic and follow the instructions there.

Make sure you provide information for other users to help you. If you have not already done it, please EDIT your post and add this now:

- Your ISP and plan

- Type of connection (ADSL, ADSL2, VDSL)

- Your modem DSL stats (do not worry about posting Speedtest, we need sync rate, attenuation and noise margin)

- Your general location (or street)

- If you are rural or urban

- If you know your connection is to an exchange, cabinet or conklin

- If your connection is to a ULL or wholesale service

- If you have done an isolation test as per the link above

Most of the problems with speed are likely to be related to internal wiring issues. Read this discussion to find out more about this. Your ISP is not intentionally slowing you down today (unless you are on a managed plan). Also if this is the school holidays it's likely you will notice slower than usual speed due to more users online.

A master splitter is required for VDSL2 and in most cases will improve speeds on DSL connections. Regular disconnections can be a monitored alarm or a set top box trying to connect. If there's an alarm connected to your line even if you don't have an alarm contract it may still try to connect so it's worth checking.

I recommend you read these two blog posts:

- Is your premises phone wiring impacting your broadband performance? (very technical)

- Are you receiving a substandard ULL ADSL2+ connection from your ISP?

I am the Geekzone Robot and I am here to help. I am from the Internet. I do not interact. Do not expect other replies from me.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#964119 9-Jan-2014 20:39

probably Flip will be best for her, provided you are willing to help her set it up. they don't provide a modem so you will need to get one and do any configuration etc.

$55 for 10GB including unlimited national calling.

no contract but there is a $45 connection fee (which might be free at the moment?)

wongtop

543 posts

Ultimate Geek

#964124 9-Jan-2014 20:45

If data usage is really low then your could go with vodafone home phone wireless ($20/month for a pseudo landline dilivered over the cellular network) and 2 degrees $99/12GB/6months, but she would need to be in the 2degrees zone.

eXDee

4025 posts

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#964172 9-Jan-2014 22:18

mm1352000: A $19 or $29 cellphone plan seems really attractive value wise. Not having a home line wouldn't be ideal, but I guess if somebody wanted to call her she could call them back with the copious free minutes they put on such plans these days. The bigger problem is mum is not very IT literate. I'm not sure that she'd be truly comfortable with such a solution: tethering to her laptop for internet, avoiding being stung for using too much data...

If you want this here's my suggestion:

http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/paymonthly/plans
Take note of: "All our Share Everything Plans include free Landline on Your Mobile". I believe it costs $20 otherwise for the privilege on the cheaper plans.

Then simply share the data with a 3G hotspot using this:
http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/paymonthly/why-paymonthly/shared-data'

Note this is separate from the charge per person that a "share everything" plan carries.

The result is her featurephone has unlimited calls and texts to aussie and nz, and can take inbound landline calls no matter where she is. And the data is shared to a 3G hotspot or even fixed home router with 3G modem support which can sit at home for her main internet access. The data is carry over so she should be able to build up a nice stock pile from the slow months for when the kids come over during the busy months, and if she goes over she can buy more 3G carry over data here: http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile-data/data-packs

Unsure if this suits you or not, but starting at $69/m for landline, mobile and broadband seems fairly decent overall. It isnt ideal for high internet usage, but for low usage it seems fairly decent bang for buck.

Coil

6615 posts

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#964199 9-Jan-2014 23:34

I saw this thing called terrible talk.
Maybe try that??

mm1352000

1148 posts

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#964412 10-Jan-2014 11:37

Thanks folks - some good ideas. :)

@Nonprayingmantis
I agree. Flip was the best "traditional" option I'd seen. Thanks.

@wongtop
With the Vodafone home phone wireless it seems like local calls from the number are free, but what about calls to the number? Am I right to assume they cost the equivalent of a mobile call even from a "local" landline?

@exDee
The way I read the "landline on your mobile" conditions, you need to have a landline to actually enable this. Am I misunderstanding? Otherwise, you're right - seems to be an option.

@TimA
I hadn't come across Terrible Talk. Certainly a potential option there. The only catch is possibly the 24 month contract. Without giving away too much in the way of personal details, mum might not be able to commit to 24 months. In any case, thank you for an excellent suggestion.

scheduler

263 posts

Ultimate Geek

#964422 10-Jan-2014 12:08

Hi

Calls to a Vodafone Homephone wireless are classed as local calls rather then mobile. It is exactly the same as having landline except there is no physical connection.

My understanding of Landline on mobile is call routed to your landline number come to your mobile number and are charged as a local call . However outgoing calls are charged as mobile calls and come of the minute allocation

Coil

6615 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#964439 10-Jan-2014 12:27

scheduler: Hi

Calls to a Vodafone Homephone wireless are classed as local calls rather then mobile. It is exactly the same as having landline except there is no physical connection.

My understanding of Landline on mobile is call routed to your landline number come to your mobile number and are charged as a local call . However outgoing calls are charged as mobile calls and come of the minute allocation

The only difference between a homephone wireless and a homephone is the technology it uses to connect. I think you can text off it too??

vexxxboy

3180 posts

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#964445 10-Jan-2014 12:34

my parents were in the same situation and in the end Flip was the best way to go. They have been on it 2 months and my father hasn't contacted me so it must be going ok. They use 3 GB a month total and what they dont use it carry's over which is good when the family goes and stays for a few days.

Common sense is not as common as you think.