Rural Wireless Broadband

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ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#19379 14-Feb-2008 13:55

I'm helping a family member get a broadband connection in their new house outside of Christchurch. It's outside the coverage area for ADSL and Woosh. They are not heavy users, and will mainly use the net for email, browsing, and the odd bit of Skype. From what I understand reading previous threads on Geekzone, there are three major options for delivery:

1) Satellite broadband off the IPSTAR satellite;
2) Wireless broadband using the Kordia Extend network; or
3) Mobile broadband using the mobile operators' networks.

Having checked Kordia's website it appears that they are in range for the Extend wireless service. This appeals because the installation charges and monthly costs are less than for satellite. I'm not seriously considering mobile plans at the moment because they are out of 3G coverage, so I assume speeds and reliability won't be very good.

I've checked out two wireless options thus far:

Xtra Wireless 1000: Install $700, monthly $60, 256/128, 1GB
Compass: Install $250, monthly $35, 1024/256, 1GB

I'm surprised at how much cheaper the Compass option appears to be, both install and monthly, given the faster speed, and that they are delivering a service using (I assume) the same Kordia Extend network as the Xtra option.

I am interested to hear if others would recommend the Compass wireless product over the Xtra offering, or if there is another provider I should consider.

I'm also keen to hear opinions on whether Extend wireless is a good option in general for broadband access outside ADSL coverage areas, or whether I should be considering options 1) or 3) more carefully at this stage.

Cheers,

Ash

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#110606 14-Feb-2008 14:13

ashtonaut: I'm surprised at how much cheaper the Compass option appears to be, both install and monthly, given the faster speed, and that they are delivering a service using (I assume) the same Kordia Extend network as the Xtra option.

Sorry Ash, Compass doesn't use the Kordia Extend network, rather it uses Wired Country and thus is not available in your area

ashtonaut: I'm also keen to hear opinions on whether Extend wireless is a good option in general for broadband access outside ADSL coverage areas, or whether I should be considering options 1) or 3) more carefully at this stage.

I have been using Extend wireless for over 4 years now, and barring a couple of lightning strikes last year, and the odd tropical cloudburst, it has been totally reliable. Since early 2006, I have also used it for my sole phone connection, using VoIP rather than a landline. In that respect too, it has been very reliable, once I found a good VoIP provider (WxC's VFX service).

Another Extend User is looking at switching away from Xtra Wireless and sent me the following prices, which look very good by comparison.

Orcon is now selling Extend, but these prices are not on their website; you have to call them:

1 gig 256/128 $60
5 gig 512/128 $90
10 gig 1M/512 $120

Rural Link is offering:

5 gig 512/128 $75 home plan

The Rural Link offer with its 5GB cap looks very attractive compared to the paltry data cap that Xtra Wireless offers!
Check them out at:

http://www.rurallink.co.nz/

Once again, the Extend plans are not mentioned on their web site; you have to call them.

I would be interested to hear your opinions of the relative merits of these two providers. They are the market leaders so far as Extend ISPs are concerned. Xnet also have their Xtencity offering, but it's WAY expensive compared to the two above

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110610 14-Feb-2008 14:26

grantk: Sorry Ash, Compass doesn't use the Kordia Extend network, rather it uses Wired Country and thus is not available in your area

Oh, my bad, I saw they were listed on Kordia's website so I assumed it was the same thing - thanks for clearing that up.

grantk: I have been using Extend wireless for over 4 years now, and barring a couple of lightning strikes last year, and the odd tropical cloudburst, it has been totally reliable. Since early 2006, I have also used it for my sole phone connection, using VoIP rather than a landline. In that respect too, it has been very reliable, once I found a good VoIP provider (WxC's VFX service).

This is really good information to hear - thanks. I didn't realise it was possible to bundle WxC's VFX with 'non-traditional' ADSL. The people I'm looking on behalf of were considering TCL's Big Back Yard so they could get cheap calls to Christchurch City, but this is another option I hadn't thought of!

grantk: Orcon is now selling Extend ...

Interesting, I will follow this and the Rural Link options up. Thanks again for your thoughts, they are most helpful.

grantk: They are the market leaders so far as Extend ISPs are concerned.

Are you referring to Orcon and Rural Link, or Xtra and Rural Link, or Orcon and Xtra?

Cheers,

Ash

grant_k

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#110612 14-Feb-2008 14:31

ashtonaut: This is really good information to hear - thanks. I didn't realise it was possible to bundle WxC's VFX with 'non-traditional' ADSL. The people I'm looking on behalf of were considering TCL's Big Back Yard so they could get cheap calls to Christchurch City, but this is another option I hadn't thought of!

Seeing as you mentioned it, here are the full details of Xnet's Xtencity which is a bundle of Extend + VFX:

Xtencity 256: 256k/128k with 3GB data cap and VFX with 600 free National minutes $99
Xtencity 512: 512k/256k with 5GB data cap and VFX with 600 free National minutes $129

I am on Xtencity 512 because I wanted the faster upload speed, and my wife makes a lot of phone calls

ashtonaut: Are you referring to Orcon and Rural Link, or Xtra and Rural Link, or Orcon and Xtra?

Yeah, sorry it was a bit confusing: Orcon and Rural Link.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110614 14-Feb-2008 14:41

grankt: Xtencity 256: 256k/128k with 3GB data cap and VFX with 600 free National minutes $99
Xtencity 512: 512k/256k with 5GB data cap and VFX with 600 free National minutes $129

OK, this gets interesting now... so it's possible to get WxC to install and set everything up for Xtencity, or do they still need to get Telecom or someone else to do the actual hardware install? If everything could be done by a single provider that would be a huge advantage. WxC's website is a little light on installation details, in fact it looks from the site that this product isn't actually available yet...

grant_k

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#110624 14-Feb-2008 14:59

ashtonaut: ... so it's possible to get WxC to install and set everything up for Xtencity, or do they still need to get Telecom or someone else to do the actual hardware install? If everything could be done by a single provider that would be a huge advantage. WxC's website is a little light on installation details, in fact it looks from the site that this product isn't actually available yet...

OK, so you've found the page on WxC's web site, and Yes, I have to agree, it is a little light on detail.

I guess that their web master has had his hands full with the Fusion launch, so the page dealing with Xtencity has been left on the backburner. Nevertheless, it's time they posted the full details of Xtencity.

YES indeed, WxC will handle the full installation for you, although obviously it will be Kordia's techs (or a subcontractor to Kordia) who does the actual work.

I would suggest sending a PM to Maverick if you want to firm up the details. Last I heard, the installation cost was around $800.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110625 14-Feb-2008 15:01

Awesome, this is all sounding really good. I'll make some enquiries with WxC, and keep this thread updated as and when I get more info so others can be informed as well.

Cheers,

Ash

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110636 14-Feb-2008 16:10

Just a quick question - does anyone have any experience with Scorch Communications? They offer a wireless broadband product at what seems like a pretty reasonable price, but the website is pretty thin on the ground about what kind of technology they are using...

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maverick

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WorldxChange

#110645 14-Feb-2008 17:37

We have had a number of VFX customers use scorch I must admit we have a couple of issues with thier latency and packet loss early on as customers reported poor call quality and it always comes back to the link itself, but it does appear to be in short periods so this does effect Voice on occassion but I haven't seen to many issues for a little while.

Hopefully someone with a Scorch connection may reply..as a thought maybe post another thread asking about the service directly it may catch someone's attention

Yes I am a employee of WxC (My Profile) ... but I do have my own opinions as well

https://www.facebook.com/wxccommunications

Fraktul

836 posts

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#110650 14-Feb-2008 18:18

grant_k:
ashtonaut: I'm surprised at how much cheaper the Compass option appears to be, both install and monthly, given the faster speed, and that they are delivering a service using (I assume) the same Kordia Extend network as the Xtra option.

Sorry Ash, Compass doesn't use the Kordia Extend network, rather it uses Wired Country and thus is not available in your area

ashtonaut: I'm also keen to hear opinions on whether Extend wireless is a good option in general for broadband access outside ADSL coverage areas, or whether I should be considering options 1) or 3) more carefully at this stage.

I have been using Extend wireless for over 4 years now, and barring a couple of lightning strikes last year, and the odd tropical cloudburst, it has been totally reliable. Since early 2006, I have also used it for my sole phone connection, using VoIP rather than a landline. In that respect too, it has been very reliable, once I found a good VoIP provider (WxC's VFX service).

Another Extend User is looking at switching away from Xtra Wireless and sent me the following prices, which look very good by comparison.

Orcon is now selling Extend, but these prices are not on their website; you have to call them:

1 gig 256/128 $60
5 gig 512/128 $90
10 gig 1M/512 $120

Rural Link is offering:

5 gig 512/128 $75 home plan

The Rural Link offer with its 5GB cap looks very attractive compared to the paltry data cap that Xtra Wireless offers!
Check them out at:

http://www.rurallink.co.nz/

Once again, the Extend plans are not mentioned on their web site; you have to call them.

I would be interested to hear your opinions of the relative merits of these two providers. They are the market leaders so far as Extend ISPs are concerned. Xnet also have their Xtencity offering, but it's WAY expensive compared to the two above

Compass Wireless (being the 3.5GHz 802.16-2004 network purchased from Counties Power) is avaliable in Christchurch - has been for some time. Transmission is from Sugarloaf so the vast majority of the region to the north and west are covered.

Compass also have access to the Kordia Extend range of products.

grant_k

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#110716 14-Feb-2008 22:14

Fraktul: Compass Wireless (being the 3.5GHz 802.16-2004 network purchased from Counties Power) is avaliable in Christchurch - has been for some time. Transmission is from Sugarloaf so the vast majority of the region to the north and west are covered.

Oops, I must have missed that, thanks for pointing it out Fraktul

According to the Compass Wireless web page:

Christchurch

Areas covered: Christchurch CBD, as far north as Belfast and West near to Rolleston.

Line of sight required: The antenna located on the roof of the building at Dyers Pass Rd & Summit Road, Sugarloaf Reserve. This is located beneath the big BCL mast on the hills to the south east of the city.

Fraktul: Compass also have access to the Kordia Extend range of products.

Yes, but like so many who "have access" to Kordia's Extend product, they don't advertise the fact...

Kordia Retail Partners who don't advertise their Extend offering are as follows:

- Bush Wireless
- Compass
- NetSmart
- NetSpeed
- Orcon
- Rural Link

It puzzles me as to why this should be???

But anyway, I digress. On this page on Compass' web site:

http://www.compass.net.nz/residential/internet/wireless_net.asp

It offers the following Upload & Download speeds:

1M/256Kb
Download/
Upload*

2M/256Kb
Download/
Upload*

And it also says: Increase upload speed to 1Mbps

AFAIK, Kordia's Extend Network cannot cope with anything above 1Mbps Download and 340kbps Upload, so it does not look as though the plans quoted on this page are anything to do with Kordia Extend. In fact, I just noticed the page header, and it says:

"Fast wireless broadband from Compass (previously Wired Country)"

It would be really handy if Compass posted details of their Kordia Extend offering on their web site. Then we would have another provider to choose from.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#110771 15-Feb-2008 08:45

For those interested, I called WxC last night, and as these details aren't on the website, I'll post what I found out about Xtencity here. Maverick, if anything I've listed below is incorrect, please feel free to correct me - this is what I was told:

Install
$941 inc. GST, this includes the radio, STU, and a Linksys WRT (I assume this is a WRTP54G-AU?) - basically everything you need to get up and running except a phone (any modern phone will work).
All equipment becomes property of the homeowner.
This price covers installations within 50km of the local contractor's depot.
Includes up to 50m of wiring between the radio and the STU.
Target timeframe for the install is ~10 working days from confirmation of availability.

Plans
$99: 256k/128k, 3GB, $1/GB overage, 1 VFX line, 600 national minutes included
$129: 512k/256k, 5GB, same as above

Voice data does not count towards the data cap.
12 month minimum term, disconnection fee is somewhere in the region of $220.

Given the extras that come as part of the VFX line, I think this is a very competitive package, with one major advantage being that everything is handled through a single provider, on a single bill.

If the people I'm enquiring on behalf of go ahead with the plan, I'll post back and let everyone know how they get on.

Cheers,

Ash

grant_k

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#110775 15-Feb-2008 09:58

ashtonaut: Given the extras that come as part of the VFX line, I think this is a very competitive package, with one major advantage being that everything is handled through a single provider, on a single bill.

Yes, you're right, it is a convenient package. Good to see that the WRTP54G is included as well.

I am very pleased with the performance of mine. The WiFi range is excellent and having the ATA functions in the one box is tidy too.

Thanks for posting the details Ash, it's good to have them in writing for future reference. I'll look forward to any news of how your family member gets on if they decide to go ahead.

Fraktul

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#110796 15-Feb-2008 12:31

grant_k:

It puzzles me as to why this should be???

Indeed - there is probably some history behind this :)

grant_k:

AFAIK, Kordia's Extend Network cannot cope with anything above 1Mbps Download and 340kbps Upload, so it does not look as though the plans quoted on this page are anything to do with Kordia Extend.

1mbps peak download, 512kbps comitted download & upload is the higest throughput Extend plan on offer AFAIK.

ashtonaut

614 posts

Ultimate Geek

#115664 10-Mar-2008 09:52

I've got an update on this for those who may be interested. The family member ended up going with Scorch for broadband, and VFX for phone. Details of the plan:

Install
$250 - radio hardware is leased by the homeowner, not owned
$220 for wireless router (I think they got a WRTP54G-AU)

Total: $470

Monthly
$62.50 for 512k download speed (Nb. 1MB is $79.50, 256k is $49)
2GB data cap
$11.25 for VFX
$15.00 Hardware Lease

Total: $88.75

I'm pretty sure they got a discount for being CRT members.

Compares pretty favorably with Xtencity. They are pretty happy with the overall deal, things appear to be working smoothly.

Cheers

grant_k

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#115672 10-Mar-2008 10:43

ashtonaut: Compares pretty favorably with Xtencity. They are pretty happy with the overall deal, things appear to be working smoothly.

Yep, it's a good deal for what they are getting, thanks for the update Ash.

I was interested to see on Scorch's web site:

"Scorch communications is currently implementing a network that will very quickly cover the whole country."

Of course, many companies have said that before, and then failed to deliver, but even if they cover some of the more sought-after areas, it will provide much-needed competition in this space.

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