Satellite Internet on the Westcoast.

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tame

2 posts

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#79439 17-Mar-2011 15:27

I'm in Hokitika and want to ditch my phone line and just get Satellite internet. I have a couple of Qs the most pressing is the best deal in NZ for this kind of service. Does anyone know of a consumer service that give a good guide? I'n not interested in patronising telecom or there hangers on which is another reason i'm detaching. Someone mentioned an independent outfit setting up in Reefton but i cant find them in a quick search.

freitasm

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#449267 17-Mar-2011 15:31

Satellite access to the Internet is costly and slow. Have you considered mobile access (if there's any 3G services around your town)?

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cyril7

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#449270 17-Mar-2011 15:40

Hi, I would second Mauricio's comment, after DSL even not very good DSL you will find Satellite slow awkward, and quite pricey for what you get.

Other than your obvious dislike of Telecom as a corporate, is there an issue with your DSL service that wants you to move.

Cyril

l43a2

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#449279 17-Mar-2011 15:56

http://www.farmside.co.nz/satellite.html

gives you an idea on costs..

tame

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Wannabe Geek

#449481 18-Mar-2011 09:17

Cheers. not just the corporate thing, cell phone reception is patchy where i live in hoki and its possible i'll move completely out of range soon.

Zeon

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#449488 18-Mar-2011 09:46

tame: Cheers. not just the corporate thing, cell phone reception is patchy where i live in hoki and its possible i'll move completely out of range soon.

Get a Yagi antenna for Telecom XT and mount it on your roof. If you've got some signal currently that should get you a better signal and will be cheaper, faster and have less latency than satellite.

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thespeedysparky

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#452578 27-Mar-2011 22:08

Hi, satellite internet is slow and expensive compared to ADSL, you may be better to try and find a local wireless provider. Voip of sat is next to useless. There are two main sat platforms in NZ, Ipstar and AMC23, Farmside, wireless nation and a few others operate off Ipstar. Tuaropaki communications operate AMC23, you can get Big frog, us(rivernet) and inzone of this bird. You might be able to get a naked ADSL connection, or and external aerial for a mobile phone connection, you have to have the right kind of t-stick for this, and they are expensive There is a company in Nelson making the aerials. Our 1GB 512kb sat connections are currently $64.95 plus g.s.t. and you have to have a big 1.2mtr dish on your house. Hope this helps, Dave.

raytaylor

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#453662 30-Mar-2011 23:30

Avoid Satelite at all costs.
I havent seen the rivernet terms but farmside is about a $200 installation, $60 a month and then if you disconnect, another compulsory $250 uninstallation fee to get the tech to remove the dish (you cant do it yourself) and if its still within a 24 month contract term, its also another $200 early disconnection fee.

Plus the surfing speed is still crap. The 800ms+ ping to most nz websites just makes surfing like your on dialup. Really its only good if you download alot of large files/ youtube or emails with attachments.
Surfing usually downloads alot of small files so the delay really does affect it.

DSL is much better - if you can get naked DSL then go with that.

They say that a mormon goes preaching door to door because they feel the same as if a flood was coming and they need to alert the townspeople.
Well I feel the same way about ipstar based satelite internet. I must warn those that it may affect.

Ray Taylor

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l43a2

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#453673 31-Mar-2011 00:01

the internet (ADSL/2+) in hokitika is pretty good, just pay telecom and get a great service :)

thespeedysparky

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Wannabe Geek

#453699 31-Mar-2011 08:18

Naked DSL will be your best option of you can get it, you can then use a cheap voip line if you wish for voice calls, we still find the international calls are crap over voip. But local and national seem to be bareable, you will need a decent voip unit. Satellite is only really an alternative for people who can't get anything else, and we certainly check they cant get service any other way before signing them up with us.
Dave