RBI Questions

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corksta

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#191725 14-Feb-2016 09:39

Just a couple of quick RBI questions, looking at a section in South Head, north of Auckland but according to the Chorus and ISP maps there is nothing available although it does show as being on the fringes of RBI coverage.

1. When I was there my iPhone showed 4G so I'm assuming because 4G is actually available then RBI is an option even though the maps show it's not?

2. How does the installation work? Does the RBI modem just sit in the house like a normal wireless modem would or can it be set up in a star wiring configuration like UFB is in my existing house that was built a couple years ago?

Thanks!

sbiddle

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#1491933 14-Feb-2016 10:07

Chorus and ISP maps won't show RBI wireless coverage. Vodafone and RBI resellers have the coverage maps on their own sites. Just because there is 4G coverage also does not mean you can get the RBI product - it's only available off RBI sites within the RBI coverage area.

The RBI modem/router sits wherever you want it (within reason) and has a cable running to the external antenna.

Rikkitic

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#1491936 14-Feb-2016 10:17

@sbiddle Would you be willing to explain exactly what the difference is between 4G cell phone and RBI? Do they use different frequencies? Are there other differences in the technology? Is there any technical reason why data on a phone is so much more expensive than data on RBI? Why does a 4G phone work with no external antenna but an RBI router in the same location does not?

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DarkShadow

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#1491970 14-Feb-2016 10:49

RBI is government subsidized, with associated price control, regular mobile data isn't.

corksta

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#1491983 14-Feb-2016 11:48

sbiddle:

Chorus and ISP maps won't show RBI wireless coverage. Vodafone and RBI resellers have the coverage maps on their own sites. Just because there is 4G coverage also does not mean you can get the RBI product - it's only available off RBI sites within the RBI coverage area.

The RBI modem/router sits wherever you want it (within reason) and has a cable running to the external antenna.

Yeah that's what I meant when I said ISP: RBI doesn't show as being available there on Vodafone's site using their address checker.

So you're saying a tower has to be a designated RBI tower? I'm only assuming of course, but pretty sure it would be 700MHz coverage up that way that I was connected to, but if it's not a RBI tower then I'd be stuffed?

dazhann

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#1492046 14-Feb-2016 13:38

Have you tried uber.co.nz they have their own network of transmission sites.

sbiddle

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#1492082 14-Feb-2016 14:24

Rikkitic:

@sbiddle Would you be willing to explain exactly what the difference is between 4G cell phone and RBI? Do they use different frequencies? Are there other differences in the technology? Is there any technical reason why data on a phone is so much more expensive than data on RBI? Why does a 4G phone work with no external antenna but an RBI router in the same location does not?

RBI is a fixed wireless solution so requires an antenna as the modem/router doesn't have one. There is no technical reason why data on a phone is more expensive - it's simply that RBI is a subsidised regulated offering from the Government.

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johnr

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#1492158 14-Feb-2016 18:29

1) just cause 4G is showing does not mean RBI is

coffeebaron

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#1492714 15-Feb-2016 16:09

I do RBI installs for http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz/rbi-wireless.html Waikato to Northland. Southhead has reasonable RBI coverage, but comes down to actual address and local topography. Feel free to PM / email me an address and contact details and I'll see if you are in an area that we'd be happy to attempt an install.

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gareth41

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#1492946 16-Feb-2016 02:16

A pair of ubiquiti powerbeams would work if you can find someone with xdsl and in line of sight. A friend of mine lives on Jordan rd near kaukapakapa has adsl2 and would share his connection if it was paid for. He can see all of the south head peninsular on the harbour side. Failing that there's also Pouto point across at north head and Tapora on the eastern side if you can find anyone there. Pouto point seems to have some vdsl according to chorus map but only problem would be driving distance without a boat, all the way up and around via Dargaville to get access.

iamwill

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#1497551 23-Feb-2016 08:49

Take a look at these guys, website (WirelessNation). They provide a really gud RBI service at my place, and have a pretty big customer base all over NZ. I got up and running really quickly!

Basically if you can get a decent Vodafone cell coverage then RBI should work, since the government is pushing the Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) through mobile towers throughout the country.