Looking for a new ISP

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › Looking for a new ISP

acefire10

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#57408 12-Feb-2010 12:30

Hey,

Am currently looking around for a decent ISP for our flat this year. Have had a good experience with telecom in the past, but with a relatively large flat with a couple of hefty internet users their 20GB plan isn't suitable, neither is the Big Time plan due to our online gaming needs. (The Pro plan is also out of the question - while most likely offering a high enough cap - the 2c/mb charge if going over the cap is something we definitely can't afford to pay).

Snap/Telstra/Orcon/Vodafone all have suitable plans - are all of these suitable for online gaming? A lot of it is WoW related - so which of these ISP provide stable connection with relatively low/normal latency? (Located in North Dunedin if anyone has any 1st hand experience)

Any replies are much appreciated.

1 | 2

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#298530 13-Feb-2010 00:04

At the moment (for many months) Telstra has a problem with very slow youtube.. last I heard Snap has some annoying peak time performance problems for regular http downloads. My parents are on Vodafone and I found peak time performance a bit lackluster.

I would say Maxnet or Telecom right now.

If you need more than 40GB and want to go with Telecom, they have some buisness plans that might suit you (anyone can sign up to them) eg 60GB with ~$2-3 per GB after that.

https://www.telecombusinesshub.co.nz/Internet/Broadband/Pages/Pricing.aspx
Note: Business prices are ex GST

Have been hearing only good things about Maxnet lately.

NonprayingMantis

6434 posts

Uber Geek

#298534 13-Feb-2010 00:28

what sort of online gaming do you do? I've found big time to be generally pretty good for gaming. All the games I play on steam work just fine

If you are on Telecom right now it can't hurt to switch for a week or so and try it out. If it sucks then just change ISPs like you were planning to do all along.

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#298536 13-Feb-2010 00:45

If you want a plan with a lower overage rate from Telecom, try one of the business plans.

https://www.telecombusinesshub.co.nz/Internet/Broadband/Pages/Pricing.aspx

Business Broadband has a 24 month contact, includes a 2wire business gateway and a premium service desk during business hours.

nzbnw

acefire10

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#298540 13-Feb-2010 01:48

NonprayingMantis: what sort of online gaming do you do? I've found big time to be generally pretty good for gaming. All the games I play on steam work just fine.

Most of it is WoW (so US located servers) - was 100% unplayable on Big Time around August/October. From the reading I've done today, it seems they've made significant improvements ove the past month or two in regards to gaming related traffic.

I think the flats current connection is through telecom, so its looking like it might be worth giving Big Time a shot again.

Thanks for the telecom business links, I'll check them out aswell.

Such a difficult decision to make

hellhound

41 posts

Geek

#301099 22-Feb-2010 18:01

can someone answer a quick question on the telecom business plans? Am I right in assumming that the prices do not include a phone line and that one is needed (not naked adsl)?

If a phone line is needed on top of the costs does it have to be with telecom or can I go with a different provider without increasing the cost of the broadband?

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#301269 22-Feb-2010 22:36

Yes you need a phone line on top of those prices. Pricing for landlines depends where you are located and what sort of calling rates you want. It is possible to have a residential home phone plan + business broadband.

Telecom require the home phone to be with Telecom to subscribe to Telecom Broadband.

nzbnw

KraserK

41 posts

Geek

#301302 23-Feb-2010 02:53

so what's so great about the business plan?

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#301310 23-Feb-2010 06:43

They have a lower overage rate compared to the consumer plans, most of which are speed limited to 64kbps after reaching you're cap.

They also have an increased level of support from 9am to 9pm and come with a 2wire business gateway.

nzbnw

Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#301435 23-Feb-2010 11:35

I ordered the business plan with a residential phone line, and they didnt send me the 2wire gateway, rang them up about it and they said they would not send it out, just a single port router.

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#301503 23-Feb-2010 14:43

KraserK: so what's so great about the business plan?

Their residential 40GB plan (Pro) has a retarded $20/GB overage and they don't offer any residential plans with higher limits so another ISP or the business plan are the only options unless you are happy to live with Big Times shaping.

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#301633 23-Feb-2010 19:48

Torquenstein: I ordered the business plan with a residential phone line, and they didnt send me the 2wire gateway, rang them up about it and they said they would not send it out, just a single port router.

Who did you call, and how long ago? Try 0800 Business during 9am to 9pm and ask this team; they should be able to sort it for you.

nzbnw

Torquenstein

102 posts

Master Geek

#301646 23-Feb-2010 20:30

I rang Business, they put me through to residential who then put me back through to business broadband who said they would only send me the thompson single port.

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#301648 23-Feb-2010 20:37

Can you send me a PM with some detail's and I'll try look into it for you.

nzbnw

KraserK

41 posts

Geek

#301649 23-Feb-2010 20:43

Damn. I forgot that im getting the tg585 router from telecom. That 2way one is loads better isn't it? BTW the support seems very good 9-9pm is great

nzbnw

2374 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Spark NZ

#301650 23-Feb-2010 20:48

2wire modem just has more functions; I've got one here as well as a TG585 and for what I use it for; a wireless router it works fine. However I do find the different levels of filtering handy.

nzbnw

1 | 2