Mobile Broadband Options

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euanandrews

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#29465 8-Jan-2009 02:10

I am looking for the best mobile broadband plan I can find for a mobile phone, but the options currently available seem to be pretty poor...

Both Telecom and Vodafone offer up to 1GB (for mobiles, not pc) and then offer to double that data for another $10 or so, with Vodfafone being slightly cheaper in both cases...but...they appear to require to be on-account...adding extra cost.

The only option available for prepay appears to be 'casual data' (10MB a day on Vodafone for $1)...

Why can't I buy 1GB or 3GB just like an add-on for prepay?
Top it up when I need, just like prepay?
Have it while on prepay.

What else is available?
Is there any word of new data plans coming soon, with the coming fight between Vodafone and Telecom with their new network?

I would like 2-3GB, without having to be on-account...unless there is a really good plan that includes that amount of data...I do not care for minutes or txt....I just want 2-3GB data, and use bestmates/family (hopefully Telecom will introduce something simular and competitive)

Any suggestions?

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#188161 8-Jan-2009 09:41

Perhaps johnR will verify, but there is a 3GB plan on Voda (called Broadband Pro) which I am about 90% sure can be put on a dataplan with no term.

Might mean it is not discounted $10 a month for instance - or has no device (such as the Vodem stick)bundled in with it) but might fit what you after. I think its about $70 a month.

Apologies about the lack of detail, don't know too much about the consumer side of things.

cisconz

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#188196 8-Jan-2009 12:45

I have a 3gb vodem on no term for $70 i think.

All the data plans from 200mb and up are available as stand alone plans.

Hmmmm

euanandrews

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#188202 8-Jan-2009 13:41

brentbart: Perhaps johnR will verify, but there is a 3GB plan on Voda (called Broadband Pro) which I am about 90% sure can be put on a dataplan with no term.

Might mean it is not discounted $10 a month for instance - or has no device (such as the Vodem stick)bundled in with it) but might fit what you after. I think its about $70 a month.

Apologies about the lack of detail, don't know too much about the consumer side of things.

I have seen that.

It appears the 'Broadband Pro' plan is for PC's only, not mobile phones.
The plans available to mobile phones appear to only go upto 1GB, and require the subscriber to be 'On Account'

Otherwise...that would have been perfect.

cisconz: I have a 3gb vodem on no term for $70 i think.

All the data plans from 200mb and up are available as stand alone plans.

Once again, that is plans for PC's, not mobile phones.

eXDee

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#188203 8-Jan-2009 14:09

I wish i could do a decent amount of data on telecom for a reasonable price, but first i'd want to get my touch put on prepaid which still annoys me that they don't allow.
I hope NZComms + telecoms new network + possible competition helps get rid of some of these very lame restrictions.

cisconz

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#188234 8-Jan-2009 16:00

TheBartender:
cisconz: I have a 3gb vodem on no term for $70 i think.

All the data plans from 200mb and up are available as stand alone plans.

Once again, that is plans for PC's, not mobile phones.

What do you mean it is not avaiable to mobile phones.
They don't care what you put your simcard in, all it means is you can't add a voice plan to a 3 gb data plan.

Casual voice is .70c per min I think

Hmmmm

euanandrews

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#188256 8-Jan-2009 17:38

cisconz: What do you mean it is not avaiable to mobile phones.
They don't care what you put your simcard in, all it means is you can't add a voice plan to a 3 gb data plan.

Casual voice is .70c per min I think

I am just stating what is on the Vodafone website...it clearly shows 'mobile' plans split between 'Computer' and 'Mobiles'

That said, are you confirming that can actually be done? (use the Computer mobile plans for Mobile Phones instead)

John, can you shed some light here?

johnr

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#188262 8-Jan-2009 18:02

Put the SIM in what ever device you want

John

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euanandrews

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#188317 9-Jan-2009 01:25

Now I am confused...being that I have never used mobile broadband so don't know how it works...

Obviously my cellphone already has a SIM card in it...

How does mobile broadband work in laptop?

I figured you just brought a data card, slot it in, punch in a login and password and your connected?

But are you saying the datacard itself, has its own SIM card, to identify itself?

If that is so, and I was to use that SIM card in my mobile for data, then while using that SIM, my cellphone would not be identfied by my regular mobile number, hence I would be able to recieve any calls or txt's....correct?

That would mean having to swap in and out the SIM cards yes?

Hardly an ideal solution.

xlinknz

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#188325 9-Jan-2009 08:11

As much as I would like mobile broadband I am not willing to pay these ridiculous [imho outragous] charges that VF and TCNZ charge for mobile data

VFNZ $60-$70 for 1Gb or $70-$80 for 3Gb [depending on if you want no term not not]

They charge these prices because people are willing to pay for them. It is a rip off imho

Bring on the day where I pay $1-$2 per Gb to my Telco regardless of what access method I use [whoops I better stop dreaming]

cisconz

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#188386 9-Jan-2009 13:10

TheBartender:
Now I am confused...being that I have never used mobile broadband so don't know how it works...

Obviously my cellphone already has a SIM card in it...

How does mobile broadband work in laptop?

I figured you just brought a data card, slot it in, punch in a login and password and your connected?

But are you saying the datacard itself, has its own SIM card, to identify itself?

Yes that is correct. Every device on the Vodafone network requires a sim card.

TheBartender:

If that is so, and I was to use that SIM card in my mobile for data, then while using that SIM, my cellphone would not be identfied by my regular mobile number, hence I would be able to recieve any calls or txt's....correct?

Again correct.

TheBartender:

That would mean having to swap in and out the SIM cards yes?
Hardly an ideal solution.

Yes you do need to change simcards.

If you want it on the same sim as your mobile (for calls and texts) then the sim will either have no text and voice mins, or needs to be on account.

Hmmmm

euanandrews

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#188445 9-Jan-2009 19:10

cisconz: Yes you do need to change simcards.
If you want it on the same sim as your mobile (for calls and texts) then the sim will either have no text and voice mins, or needs to be on account.

Being that I am currently on Prepay, I don't have any pre-purchased txt or voice minutes...so how do I go about getting the 3GB plan on the same SIM as my mobile number then?

The alternative, if I was on account...do they then just load that 3GB plan onto your current SIM/mobile number?

If that is the case...there is no real reason why they should not be able to do that for Prepay...it appears just a case of, they don't want to.

I can say, I certainly am not interested in a solution that requires having 2 SIMS, having to swap in and out all the time to recieve calls/txt and get my broadband.

That said...as I won't be signing up for mobile broadband until I get my Nokia N97 in March (I plan to be the 1st in New Zealand with one!....must beat NZtechfreak to it!)

So that gives me a bit of time to see what both Vodafone and Telecom bring out with the introduction of Telecoms new network.

johnr

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#188454 9-Jan-2009 19:58

You can't have the 3G plan on your prepay SIM

John

euanandrews

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#188459 9-Jan-2009 20:13

johnr: You can't have the 3G plan on your prepay SIM

John

But you can on account?

That I do not understand.

Why can't I buy a 3G block for my prepay, just like 600 txt's or 20 minutes voice....use it when and how I wish, and when it all used up, buy another block...

Or subscribe to a monthly allowance, 3G, that if and when it runs out, can be doubled for $10...but the downside is its monthly, so whatever is not used, is not carried over.

Nor should there be a limit on the size of blocks able to be purchased...the larger the block, the bigger the discount.

I hope Vodafone is going to annouce something along these lines in the near future...or Telecom...may be good reason to change?

johnr

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#188460 9-Jan-2009 20:28

Cause data blocks are not offered on prepay at this stage its that simple

So have telecom announced data blocks that don't expire on prepay?

I am not sure but I think Telecom is still $10 per meg for prepay (someone quote me if I am wrong)

Well if you want to pay $10 per meg on Telecom that is your call

John

euanandrews

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#188486 10-Jan-2009 00:16

I never suggested Telecom have such plans...I just stated what I would like to see and I hope the coming renewed competition between Telecom and Vodafone will provide as such.

No need to take it so personally John.

A good company listens to what their customers want, and endevours to provide it...not just dismiss it outright.

That said, I am looking foward to coming annoucements (if any)

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