Camper Van Internet options Spark not competing in this space?

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Stan

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#226114 21-Dec-2017 09:06

Looking at camper van internet options it seems there are 2 options:
Wireless nation through NZMCA and netspeed.

Are there any other options I am missing? Both run through vodafone infrastructure. Is there anything on the spark network?

To be clear neither of the two companies plans are poor for value just wanting all the options?

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#1922949 21-Dec-2017 09:16

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Stan

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#1922952 21-Dec-2017 09:26

Inphinity:

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Well basically you can use it anywhere as opposed to be tied down to one cell tower. Its not as cost effective as something like skinnys 100gb 4g plan for $52 however you can use it anywhere.

Wireless nation offer 130gb for $99 so its not badly priced.

Coil

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#1922953 21-Dec-2017 09:27

Inphinity:

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Exactly this, Every provider offers a wireless broadband service.

I don't think any service wireless nation will offer will be anything of any use at all. Given the aerials are directional as well.

sbiddle

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#1922958 21-Dec-2017 09:33

Coil:

Inphinity:

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Exactly this, Every provider offers a wireless broadband service.

I don't think any service wireless nation will offer will be anything of any use at all. Given the aerials are directional as well.

NZMCA in conjunction with Wireless Nation offer a 4G service which is exactly what the OP is probably after. You need to be a NZMCA member to get this.

Coil

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#1922963 21-Dec-2017 09:35

sbiddle:

Coil:

Inphinity:

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Exactly this, Every provider offers a wireless broadband service.

I don't think any service wireless nation will offer will be anything of any use at all. Given the aerials are directional as well.

NZMCA in conjunction with Wireless Nation offer a 4G service which is exactly what the OP is probably after. You need to be a NZMCA member to get this.

Ahh, Good stuff.

So it's just a standard 4g/3g hotspot or MiFi like VF used to call them.
Do they connect via a high gain omni directional antenna?

Stan

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#1922969 21-Dec-2017 09:41

sbiddle:

Coil:

Inphinity:

Sorry if this isn't helpful, but how does camper van internet vary from any other mobile broadband service - just more tailored plans? I know Spark offer Wireless Broadband, but I believe there are some T&Cs about using it only at the registered location.

Exactly this, Every provider offers a wireless broadband service.

I don't think any service wireless nation will offer will be anything of any use at all. Given the aerials are directional as well.

NZMCA in conjunction with Wireless Nation offer a 4G service which is exactly what the OP is probably after. You need to be a NZMCA member to get this.

Netspeed does not require this however considering NZMCA seems to be worth while organization to belong to I will probably join them.

High Gain Antenna is optional and is naturally not directional.

Linuxluver

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#1922973 21-Dec-2017 09:47

Stan:
Looking at camper van internet options it seems there are 2 options:
Wireless nation through NZMCA and netspeed.

Are there any other options I am missing? Both run through vodafone infrastructure. Is there anything on the spark network?

To be clear neither of the two companies plans are poor for value just wanting all the options?

Why not an MF910 mobile Internet device? It's the size of a credit card and about 1cm thick. It takes a SIM. Its wifi coverage is pretty good.

I put a prepay SIM in it and pay for about 3GB / month. $50/month? Or 6GB? Can't remember.

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Stan

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#1922977 21-Dec-2017 09:51

Linuxluver:
Stan:

Looking at camper van internet options it seems there are 2 options:
Wireless nation through NZMCA and netspeed.

Are there any other options I am missing? Both run through vodafone infrastructure. Is there anything on the spark network?

To be clear neither of the two companies plans are poor for value just wanting all the options?

Why not an MF910 mobile Internet device? It's the size of a credit card and about 1cm thick. It takes a SIM. Its wifi coverage is pretty good.

I put a prepay SIM in it and pay for about 3GB / month. $50?

3gb is far to low for me if I upgraded my skinny direct plan I would get 25gb and just tether my phone for a total of $65 per month.

Im not looking for a weekend camping experience looking to do a few months solid around NZ taking a GAP year next year.

Linuxluver

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#1922978 21-Dec-2017 09:55

Stan:
Im not looking for a weekend camping experience looking to do a few months solid around NZ taking a GAP year next year.

There may be a better deal. I haven't looked.

But technically, this solution works and, generally, Spark offer better network coverage overall. I gave up on Vodafone for this reason. Just too many coverage holes.

But really, you want both if you want more reliable coverage.

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Stan

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#1922981 21-Dec-2017 09:59

Linuxluver:
Stan:

Im not looking for a weekend camping experience looking to do a few months solid around NZ taking a GAP year next year.

There may be a better deal. I haven't looked.

But technically, Spark offer better network coverage overall. I have up on Vodafone for this reason. Just too many coverage holes.

But really, you want both if you want more reliable coverage.

I was wondering this too one of the reasons I would rather be under using spark coverage is this still correct?

Really looking at 100gb plus plans would be nice for using youtube to upload stuff plus netflix on rainy days

Linux

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#1922986 21-Dec-2017 10:07

No carrier can claim to have more coverage between Spark and Vodafone, Coverage is not static and changes every week

The carriers don't mirror image each others coverage foot print. I know of places up North that have poor Spark coverage and great Vodafone but I also know places of great Spark coverage and poor Vodafone,

I am not even a Vodafone mobile customer but every week on the Vodafone NZ community they post about new site builds and upgrades not sure if Spark provide these updates via it's website (please let me know if they do)

Mobile coverage has come a long way over the last 12 - 18 months from all NZ mobile carriers including 4G roll out

Linux

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#1922988 21-Dec-2017 10:12

Here is this weeks list that includes new site builds and planned 3G / 4G upgrades including bands

http://community.vodafone.co.nz/t5/Network-status/Planned-maintenance-amp-upgrades-Mobile-Network-updated-7-Dec/td-p/213276

Here is the list of completed upgrades for December

http://community.vodafone.co.nz/t5/Network-status/December-2017-upgrades-completed-mobile-network/td-p/215989

Things change sooo fast

Linux

SCUBADOO

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#1923040 21-Dec-2017 10:43

We have been fulltime travelling in our motorhome for the last 3 years and use the $99/month 120 GB peak plus 50GB (10pm-6am) plan.
I joined with Netspeed in May last year prior to the NZMCA (Wireless Nation) options becoming available. It has changed our Internet usage entirely and we no longer spend half the time checking data usage as we had to do with our previous and cheapest at the time $120 for 10GB Skinny plan.
Netflix, NZTV live and On demand etc. are now the norm.
Antennas? I have nine to choose from here ranging from the puck type to whips to yagi and while you can spend time mucking around in an attempt to improve reception (speeds) the gains are usually at best marginally worthwhile and at worst pointless. No external antenna to date has made the difference between Internet or none. The internal B315 router/modem antennas work just fine. Our motorhome is of fibreglass construction but with metal walled vehicles it would probably make some difference.
Wireless Nation or Netspeed? A little test. Call their respective helpdesks. We made the right choice.
We also have a Skinny Direct $35 3GB rollover, unlimited NZ/Aus/texts phone plan as our plan B option when (rarely) Vodafone service is not available.

gehenna

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#1923053 21-Dec-2017 11:08

IMO Anything that makes Camper Vans a less attractive option is OK in my book.

hio77

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#1923069 21-Dec-2017 11:34

NZMCA is an interesting requirement.

Currently at this time, Spark do not offer this. Spark do have an ongoing trial looking at allowing a holiday home location.

The spark setup is currently a Fixed wireless setup (be it generally without antenna as honestly that doesn't always improve things in the customer's eyes)

Spark prefer to have the network in optimal condition, which is why we do things like stopsells while we upgrade areas where the wireless service is heavily used at peak.

This allows us to ensure our customer's still get the solid experience.

Where i land on the fence, i get a fair bit of viability to this and are always impressed with our LTE rollout targeted at the network performance - Often upgrades are adding multiple carriers at once; jumping to "4.5G"

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