Pre-Paid Wireless Broadband

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neillisa

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#41779 23-Sep-2009 14:18

Hi

I'm visiting the north island of NZ soon (yah!) and need to be able to check emails etc whilst on the go.

Here in Australia I use a 'Pre-paid Wireless Broadband' that just plugs into my laptop's USB drive and gives me internet access. Whilst I can get 'International Roaming' the cost is horrendous!

Is there anything similar in NZ? Any options available? (even paying for a few months would be cheaper that the roaming option).

Thanks!

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#257816 23-Sep-2009 14:22

What model is it that you have now? You might be able to just grab a Vodafone SIM card and use prepaid internet. Its quite cheap for very low use.

Don't forget to change your North Island currency for South Island currency if you decide to visit the South Island after all. And you will need a South Island visa to cross the Cook Strait. Available from any Star Mart or public library.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#257822 23-Sep-2009 14:36

tonyhughes: What model is it that you have now? You might be able to just grab a Vodafone SIM card and use prepaid internet. Its quite cheap for very low use.

Don't forget to change your North Island currency for South Island currency if you decide to visit the South Island after all. And you will need a South Island visa to cross the Cook Strait. Available from any Star Mart or public library.

You could always just drive over the bridge or use the tunnel if you don't want to take the ferry. But if you do that you have to remember to change which side of the road you drive on when you arrive as they drive on the right in the south island.

(true story: I once had an American friend ask me, totally seriously, if there was a bridge between NZ and Australia to drive between the two countries)

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek

#257845 23-Sep-2009 15:28

If your device is locked in OZ you can always buy a prepay stick here (they are sold unlocked) and use it when your back in OZ

If you're visiting the main centres then either network should be OK, I perosnally think telecom is faster but Vodafone is acceptable for web browsing.

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/plans/prepay/prepay-data.jsp

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobilebroadband/plansandpricing

With telecom you have to buy a pre sim pack for $29.95 on top of the device ($200)

Interested to know which mobile broadband you're using in OZ, I'm going over in October and plan on using virgin or optus.

neillisa

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#258008 24-Sep-2009 10:09

Ha Ha - your all comedians :-)

Nitotech - I'm using 'Telstra - Bigpond' pre-paid wireless broadband.
Unfortunately, if you are traveling outside the major cities Telstra is really the only viable option as they have the best coverage, but if you are only visiting cities and not going 'off the beaten track' than the others should be fine.

Thanks I'll check out 'vodafone' and 'telecom'.

Thanks

Paulthagerous

698 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#258020 24-Sep-2009 10:41

Depending on the model and frequencies of the card (and assuming it is unlocked), one would definately be better than another. If the card supports:

WCDMA 850 - use Telecom
WCDMA 900 - use Vodafone.

All brand loyalties aside, if your device supports one of these then it is definately the way to go.

nitrotech

1285 posts

Uber Geek

#258022 24-Sep-2009 10:42

If you can get your bigpond modem unlocked then it is the perfect fit for Telecom's XT network and saves you buying a modem here, you just need to change the APN to internet.telecom.co.nz

bonkiebonks

389 posts

Ultimate Geek

#258027 24-Sep-2009 10:52

On Vodafone, you can only get 512MB on prepay, and that's $40.

Whereas on Telecom you can get 3GB (also on prepay), and that's $84.95. But bear in mind that Telecom credits you a bonus $20 everytime you topup $60, so that effectively makes the 3GB plan ~ $63. There are also lower data plans, 1GB ($54.95), and 2GB ($69.95). Additional data comes at $15 for 1GB, and $0.20/MB thereafter.

I would choose to go with Telecom if I were you.