Broadband without a landline

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webstereo

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Master Geek

Topic # 18312 6-Jan-2008 08:56

Is this possible?

I'm in Auckland and I don't want anything to do with telecom. I figure I don't need a phone line either but a broadband connection would be good. I don't want to spend a fortune and I don't imagine I'll be downloading lots of media - although I do subscribe to a few iTunes podcasts.

I'm out of Whoosh range so that rules them out. THe other issue I have is that I may be moving so I don't really want to be tied into something.

Is there a fixed line or wireless option that wont cost the earth and wont tie me in and wont force me to have a phone?

cyril7

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Reply # 103115 6-Jan-2008 09:14

Your obvious options are cellular based, both Vodafone and Telecom have 3G broadband plans at reasonable prices. From recent experence the Telecom EVDO service has better coverage than Voda,s UMTS service, however if you are in Auckland that probably is not an issue.

Cyril

alasta

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Reply # 103116 6-Jan-2008 09:14

Have you considered Vodafone 3G Broadband?

cokemaster

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Reply # 103126 6-Jan-2008 10:28

If you simply don't want fixed line phone service but still want to use DSL, have a look at the naked DSL options.

Otherwise have a look at the mobile data options. As noted previously, Telecom CDMA generally has better coverage and performance overall (particularly when comparing 1X against GPRS outside of the main centres).

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webstereo

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Master Geek

Reply # 103211 6-Jan-2008 21:17

Thanks for all the responses. I suspect the naked option was what I was after but the prices seem too high to me. I paid £14.99 in London and that was about three years ago. Seems to me it's a big rip in this country.

adventdesigns

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Master Geek

Reply # 103256 7-Jan-2008 09:29

Welcome to New Zealand.

Canterbury

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Reply # 103266 7-Jan-2008 09:53

I have cable via Telstra- is this an option for you? (no phone) 10GB d/l limit @ 4Mb rate from memory $50 a month... cheaper rates with less d/l limit and bandwidth.

cyril7

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Reply # 103269 7-Jan-2008 10:00

Auckland has no TCL cable.

Cyril

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Reply # 103274 7-Jan-2008 10:07

One thing to keep in mind is that Naked DSL is not a magic bullet. You are still using the same copper cables that you used to use, and you are still subject to the same issues & costs surrounding them - the only difference is that you are not running voice services over them.

So there is a cost associated with installing that copper and maintaining it. Its a bit less than your voice service but its not exactly free either.

Comparing costs becomes a messy business as there are a lot of factors to take into account. Going off topic, though when it comes to high prices, there are certainly high prices in the UK at times.

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MauriceWinn

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Reply # 103483 7-Jan-2008 23:27

If you have a friendly neighbour, you could share their [non-Telecom] ADSL line by plugging in a Wi-Fi router to their ADSL and using that via a laptop at your place. You could pay them half the cost or something. Skype would enable you to make phone calls. Or you/they could buy a Zenbu Wi-Fi router and plug that in and that would enable capacity to be controlled so nobody uses more than their share; other people in the area might buy capacity from your neighbour too. See http://www.Zenbu.net.nz for details.

In some areas there are wide area network Wi-Fi providers like EOL in the Bay of Plenty: http://www.eol.co.nz/products_wireless.php I don't know if there's one like that in Auckland.