New to NZ, semi-Geek requiring Broadband Help!

Forums › New Zealand Broadband › New to NZ, semi-Geek requiring Broadband Help!

davros1984

18 posts

Geek

#85487 20-Jun-2011 14:16

Hi there,

I'm moving into an apartment in Takapuna (North Shore) this Friday.

I consider myself to be "good" with IT and Broadband, however I'm really struggling to make a decision when it comes to what broadband provider to go with here in NZ. In the UK... I could get an unlimited 20Mbps connection for about $25 a month. I know that its very different here, so I'll list what I'll mainly be doing Internet wise.

1) Streaming & Legally Downloading UK tv (iplayer/sky player/C4&5 onDemand). Bandwidth requirements are from a sustainable 400Kbps to 2000Kbps (Kilobits per second). This would be using a Squid Proxy server based in the UK - thus I'd be connecting to a custom web port from my system to the UK proxy (so that it appears I have a UK IP). The proxy server would then connect to the streaming site.
2) Skype video calls with family in the UK
3) Web Browsing
4) ISO & Linux update downloads
5) Occasional P2P (2-5GBmax a month on average).

Realistically, I'm looking for a plan that can allow 60-100GB a month, that can be a mixture of limited on-peak and scheduling some downloads i.e. p2p and iplayer downloads for off-peak times.

I've been leaning toward Slingshot and their $55 - 40GB plan, but from what I've read...... I'm not sure they could meet the requirements in point 1. Any insight or advice anyone?

The other company I have seen that looks somewhat positive is.. Actrix.

Thanks,
David.

hellonearthisman

1819 posts

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#483202 20-Jun-2011 14:27

Slingshot would fail at point one. Streaming would not happen with them.

I would say look at http://www.snap.net.nz/home/package/broadband

Cyris

121 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#483204 20-Jun-2011 14:34

Nice, I work in Takapuna.

but back to the broadband issue, I would recommend either Orcon or TelstraClear.

I've never had any problems with Orcon, running ADSL 2+ and get about 2.4megabytes per second download, and this is all the way down south in Pukekohe.

So I'm quite happy with them, TelstraClear however is coming up fast, and thinking about adding alot of websites to their freezone for free bandwidth.

Have a look between their different broadband packages and decide what suits you best there.

webwat

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#483259 20-Jun-2011 16:34

slingshot definitely isnt great at peak times weekends and 5pm to 11pm or so, probably not great for skype video at those times either.

Time to find a new industry!

davros1984

18 posts

Geek

#483282 20-Jun-2011 17:12

Thanks for the replies so far. I think I'm going to go with Orcon, the current occupier is with them and he said he never had any issues... so fingers crossed.

Bronze package, 105GB - $155 a month = damn expensive (4-5 times what I paid in the UK!!!).

Please let me know if that's a bad idea!

Thanks,
David.

Zeon

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#483285 20-Jun-2011 17:20

Orcon should be good. They now have their own network to the US West Coast which will hopefully keep latency down. TBH latency will be a problem with any ISP and limit your throughput to the UK, no matter how good the ISP is.

Speedtest 2019-10-14

knoydart

904 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 154

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#483296 20-Jun-2011 17:38

Just to remind you, there is no BBC tv via the iplayer outside of the UK, only radio

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davros1984

18 posts

Geek

#483340 20-Jun-2011 19:08

Thanks Zeon! Orcon it is.

I am already using iplayer here in NZ.... as I said above, I have a proxy server in the UK so when I am here in NZ I have a UK IP.

knoydart

904 posts

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#483342 20-Jun-2011 19:12

That will teach me to read to OP more closely

kyhwana2

2572 posts

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#483394 20-Jun-2011 20:49

Just a note, your speed will firstly be dependant on your line stats. If you end up with a crap line, you're only going to be able to do your line sync - 10-20~ of overhead!

hangon

398 posts

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#483406 20-Jun-2011 21:15

Zeon: Orcon should be good. They now have their own network to the US West Coast which will hopefully keep latency down. TBH latency will be a problem with any ISP and limit your throughput to the UK, no matter how good the ISP is.

What do you mean Orcon has own network to US West Coast? Thought southern cross is still the only way out, n Orcon is buying wholesale from Telecom?

Been thinking about either Orcon or Telecom, Orcon has ll+40GB @ $81, while Telecom @105, if Orcon doesn't have many issues as the thread titles in Orcon forum suggested, then I'm leaning towards Orcon...

Beccara

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#483440 20-Jun-2011 22:20

Orcon by capacity off SCC and run their own network to the US rather than simply handing that bit to Vocus/Pacnet to handle. Gives them better response and insight into problems

Most problems are the result of previous solutions...

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