Mobile Broadband or Fixed Line Broadband on a very tight budget

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photoman

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#81953 20-Apr-2011 14:08

Looking for some assistance here with regards to either opting for mobile broadband or just adding it to my current land line.

Circumstances are such that at present I just have a Telecom phone line (cheapest option available). I can access my Gmail from work (on occasions) but prefer not to. All I need internet access for is to check my emails and also to use Skype to communicate with family in the UK, nothing else. It doesn't even have to be mobile, as it would be primarily used at home (99.9%).

Someone suggested buying the likes of a Vodem but on a quick check, it seems these seem like a good idea but the price soon mounts up. It's either that or sign up to an ISP through my current land line. Ideally, it would have to be a no frills package with no contract, as I'm uncertain as to how long I will be remaining in the house, so early termination contracts are out.

Over the last five years, I have been with Orcon, World Exchange and Telecom. I don't really have a preference to any ISP so long as they can provide a service capable of delivering Skype capability of a consistent quality.

xpd

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#460949 20-Apr-2011 14:36

Skype is hit and miss, I use it quite often without any problems to chat to people around NZ but when it comes to international, its pot luck.... sometimes you wont have any problems at all (used it occasionally for o/seas contact, was fine 80% of the time), other times the call quality degrades - just depends on traffic and routes.

Most of my Skype calling is done from home on a Orcon+ connection.

If you can get Orcon+, then youll be looking at approx $70 a month.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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#460976 20-Apr-2011 15:53

I don't think anyone can guarantee skype, but several ISPs can get you a local voip phone number. I know Woosh isn't that great but they might be enough to use a NZ voip service so that you can ditch the phone line, and hopefully you can still use woosh at your next house.

Time to find a new industry!

itxtme

2102 posts

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#461088 20-Apr-2011 21:33

What does "tight budget" mean? Also do you NEED the phoneline? Or are you open to alternatives? Where are you situated as this could have some bearing on the recommendations people give you. Also who is your current mobile charges with? Is it a contract?

photoman

217 posts

Master Geek

#461194 21-Apr-2011 08:48

Think separation, child support, lawyers, house sale and that's what I mean by 'tight budget'. Unless it's food, petrol or bills, I don't buy it.

The phoneline is essential to keep in touch with family. Live in Kapiti but restricted to Telecom. Use Vodafone for mobile (pay as you go), but just on the boundary of reception area - depends on which way the wind is blowing if I get reception or not :)

njm

22 posts

Geek

#461204 21-Apr-2011 09:05

The cheapest fixed option with Telecom is Total Home Starter that has 1GB of data and homeline for $78 per month and i think they have no contract options.

photoman

217 posts

Master Geek

#461212 21-Apr-2011 09:30

Thanks njm, I'll check their site out and see how much extra it will cost.

SepticSceptic

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#461535 22-Apr-2011 11:10

photoman: Think separation, child support, lawyers, house sale and that's what I mean by 'tight budget'. Unless it's food, petrol or bills, I don't buy it.

The phoneline is essential to keep in touch with family. Live in Kapiti but restricted to Telecom. Use Vodafone for mobile (pay as you go), but just on the boundary of reception area - depends on which way the wind is blowing if I get reception or not :)

You would need to make a judgement call on whether you really need to keep in touch with your family via the phone. Most kids these days are on facebook, or communicate via txt.

if you are making toll calls to keep in touch, it wouldnt be that much more to use a mobile to make that call.

Telecom charge is near on $50 / month, and that is assuming no tolls, and you pay on time. Miss the due date, bang ! another 7.00 bucks.

finding it hard to justify the landline, as I make so few calls, so I'm looking at mobile BB - bit tricky - right on the edge of most mobile BB plans, defaulting to GPRS data plans which are more expensive than mobile BB. Unless it's telecom XT - looks like mobile data allowance is included in the mobile BB allowance.

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wanghou168

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Ultimate Geek

#462304 25-Apr-2011 23:36

Not sure if you can connect to Xnet or not.
If you can that will save you some buck
Mobile broadband wont be any cheaper than telecom Broadband.

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