The Great ISP's 'Unlimited Quota' War

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euanandrews

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Topic # 9805 14-Oct-2006 16:51

The Battle to Date:

Woosh Wireless
Plan: Orbit Flatrate
Type: adsl
Speed: 7.6mb down - 128kb up
Price: $50mo
Covergae: nationwide
Phoneline required?: yes, telecom phoneline $42.20mo?
Notes: Reasonable Use policy applys....(700mb max download between 5pm-12am)
Woosh Wireless Plans

Xtra
Plan: Go Large
Type: adsl
Speed: 7.6mb down - 128kb up
Price: $50mo
Coverage: nationwide
Phoneline required?: yes, telecom phoneline $42.20mo?
Notes: Fair use policy & traffic management applys...(700mb max download between 4pm-12am)
Xtra Plans

Maxnet
Plan: Dash WBS MX/128-Mega

Type: adsl
Speed: 7.6mb down - 128kb up
Price: $60mo
Coverage: nationwide
Phoneline required?: yes, telecom $42.20mo?
Notes: 'managed', simular restictions to xtra 'fair use policy' and traffic management
Maxnet Plans

Slingshot
Plan: Max Extreme
Type: WiMax
Speed: 10mb down - 10mb up
Price: $50mo
Coverage: Whangarei
Phoneline required: Yes, you have to include their phone in package at cost of: $50mo
Notes:
Slingshot Plans

Gasp
Plan: Gasp Unlimited
Type: wireless
Speed: 256kb down - 256kb up? (International traffic) 3mb down - 3mb up? (national traffic)
Price: $70mo
Coverage: Wellington, Auckland
Phoneline required?: no
Notes:
Gasp Plans

NZnet
Plan: 256kb Residential
Type: adsl
Speed: 256kb down - 128kb up
Price: $60mo
Coverage: nationwide?
Phoneline Required?: yes, telecom phoneline $42.20mo?
Notes:
NZnet Plans

Webworld
Plan: Surf Flat Rate
Type: adsl
Speed: 256kb down - 128kb up
Price: $70mo
Coverage: nationwide?
Phoneline required?: yes, telecom $42.20mo?
Notes:
Webworld Plans

Wise Net
Plan: Residential
Type: wireless
Speed: 3mb down - 3mb up?
Price: $73mo
Coverage: Wairarapa
Phoneline required?: no
Notes: 'resonable use' is required
Wise Net Plans

* Stated plans above include current and 'just about to be released' plans
* Please notify me if any info incorrect and I will modify to be as acurate as possible

Winner???

My thoughts are Slingshot, but will be a while before WiMax will be available in Wellington, if ever.
10mb up & down, no quota, phone and net $100mo...very well priced.

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BDFL - Memuneh
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Reply # 48657 14-Oct-2006 17:42

Since you are in Wellington, why not list TelstraClear? I am on their 10 Mbps plan and it's excellent. Unlike Slingshot Max it's not 10 Mbps up though. But I doubt you will get 10 Mbps up/down on a wireless link. There are many factors, such as number of obstacles, atmospheric conditions, etc.

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antoniosk

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Reply # 48666 14-Oct-2006 21:00

fixed wireless devices (which is what WiMax is) can achieve synchronous speeds, and so 10mb/s up. TelstraClear wireless in other parts of the country can definetly achieve it, quite fun to watch.

Only challenge is that the frequency bands available - about 7Mhz - mean that the maximum the AIR INTERFACE will go is 10mb/s (give or take). So add 2 users hitting it at the same time, bandwidth roughly halves and so on.

So the first user to get Slingshot broadband will have a stomper service. The next guy along will probably ruin it for him ;-)

FullyWired

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Reply # 48671 14-Oct-2006 21:44

No WiMAX is not only fixed - it can also be mobile (802.16d vs. 802.16e). The mobile verison allows handoff between basestations and about 120km/h. And I presume you mean symetrical - not synchronous. Whether a symetrical service is provided is up to the ISP.

The argument about 2 users hitting the service at the same time is true for any shared medium service - but then for many people the RTT / latency in the Internet at large will never let them get to those speeds. Pluis of course WiMAX speed decays as you get further from the basestation.

euanandrews

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Reply # 48679 15-Oct-2006 04:03

freitasm: Since you are in Wellington, why not list TelstraClear?

I was just comparing 'unlimited quota' plans...TelstraClear have none at present...

As someone else pointed out, TelstraClear have been very quiet lately, having been 'trumped' by telecoms new upgraded plans...Im waiting with interest to see what if anything TelstraClear do to compete with the new speed, quotas and prices of adsl...and wireless for that fact. Cable is getting left behind.

freitasm

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Reply # 48690 15-Oct-2006 09:19

TheBartender:

Xtra
Notes: Fair use policy & traffic management applys...(700mb max download between 4pm-12am)

Maxnet
Notes: 'managed', simular restictions to xtra 'fair use policy' and traffic management

Wise Net
Notes: 'resonable use' is required

I really hope TelstraClear does not introduce an "unlimited" plan like the ones above. I use TelstraClear because I pay for 80GB/month and I download as many Windows Vista ISO images as I wish, within those limits. If they do, please don't go around moving people automatically to this "unlimited" plan.

On a Xtra plan you'd be damned, because their "fair use" and "traffic management" applies for downloads of 700MB during certain periods. Knowing the crawling speeds of Xtra it's very likely a 2.5GB download will fall into that window of time.

No thanks. I rather have a 10 Mbps connection where I can manage it myself, instead of the drones.

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Snoop

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Reply # 48699 15-Oct-2006 11:49

why wont they upgrade thier stuff to compete with the world? wth the plans atm it really sux. 10mb upload and 128kb download & DATA CAPS!. if they would make a plan somewhat like 2mb upload and download with no caps it would be great. i never heared of data caps overseas. juz imagine this, everything now is electronically done, even study guides etc are online, research information also done online etc. limiting users to data caps means that they are limiting the productivity of students, work etc.

yes i agree even 10gb is enough for this things but have you ever thinked aout the outrageous price? for caps and crappy upload speed? is it worth the price ? how much are we paying for it?

here is something to think about, 5mb upload and download & no data caps is worth around NZD$35 overseas.(dont wanna mention where but quite many places have it) 24/7 available and no unusual errors. hosting etc wont be a problem from home XD

here for 10GB plan you pay almost/more then $100, and crappy upload speed.

maybe there is no competetion between ISP's. no competetion = no improvement.

freitasm

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Reply # 48700 15-Oct-2006 11:56

Snoop: why wont they upgrade thier stuff to compete with the world? wth the plans atm it really sux. 10mb upload and 128kb download & DATA CAPS!. if they would make a plan somewhat like 2mb upload and download with no caps it would be great.

Are you talking of TelstraClear? First If so, then you have "download" and "upload" the other way around.

Second, they do have a 10 Mbps down/2 Mbps up plan. I am using it right now.

My point is not that they shouldn't create an "unlimited" plan. Please read the comment again. I am clear: they should not implement a "managed" plan like Xtra does.

Snoop: here for 10GB plan you pay almost/more then $100, and crappy upload speed.

Again, if you are talking about TelstraClear check the plans: I am paying just about this on a 80 GB plan, not 10 GB.

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freitasm

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Reply # 48701 15-Oct-2006 12:01

Snoop: why wont they upgrade thier stuff to compete with the world?

Because they don't have to. They have to compete to other New Zealand ISPs. You can't compare prices in the U.S and the UK with prices in New Zealand. Different market sizes, different rules, different costs to deliver services.

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euanandrews

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Reply # 48703 15-Oct-2006 12:33

freitasm: I really hope TelstraClear does not introduce an "unlimited" plan like the ones above.

On a Xtra plan you'd be damned, because their "fair use" and "traffic management" applies for downloads of 700MB during certain periods.

Yeah theres no denying thats not a appealing feature of those plans...but for a user like me, I am happy to do the bulk of my heavy downloading during the non peak hours.

The slingshot plans have no bandwidth throttling...just limited in location...

I personally would like to see 'unlimited quota' plans, and I am willing to sacrafice some speed for such a plan to be available at a resonable price...eg. 3.5mb down - 128kb up with no quota or throttling at say $50mo would be very attractive.

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Reply # 48707 15-Oct-2006 13:39

TheBartender:
freitasm: Since you are in Wellington, why not list TelstraClear?

I was just comparing 'unlimited quota' plans...TelstraClear have none at present...

As someone else pointed out, TelstraClear have been very quiet lately, having been 'trumped' by telecoms new upgraded plans...Im waiting with interest to see what if anything TelstraClear do to compete with the new speed, quotas and prices of adsl...and wireless for that fact. Cable is getting left behind.

How exactly is cable being left behind? It offers the fastest (excluding commercial) broadband speeds in NZ with 10Mbps and the slower plans offer you 4Mbps.

We have yet to see what impact the uncapped ADSL will have on have on average ADSL speeds but it's clear that a large number of users will not receive any increase in their broadband speeds I think we can quite safely say that TCL users will not be disadvantaged.

Remember TCL's HFC & copper network is what Telecom want to have in a few years time - a large network of fibre fed cabinets. It would take a substancially different ADSL offering and large improved network management for many cable users to switch. Some users out there may be obsessed by flat rate data plans and super fast speeds but there are many people prepared to pay more for a better end user experience.

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Reply # 48710 15-Oct-2006 14:13

sbiddle: How exactly is cable being left behind? It offers the fastest (excluding commercial) broadband speeds in NZ with 10Mbps and the slower plans offer you 4Mbps.

Let me rephrase...its not that they have been left behind, but that they will get left behind, as there has been many rapid changes in adsl and wireless, and few if any at TelstraClear...they have been left behind in terms of price though, TelstraClear while good, are not cheap.

sbiddle: Some users out there may be obsessed by flat rate data plans and super fast speeds but there are many people prepared to pay more for a better end user experience.

Fair enough, but I speak for those obsessed folks who want flat rate data plans and super fast speeds at a low to medium cost, and Im am not willing nor can I afford to shell out $160mo for 80gb of data (of the top of my head)...

But that being said, nor do I have to have the fastest speed...I would happely have a connection speed of 2-3mb download so to have unlimited quota that is not throtteled...but most the ISP's seem to be obsessed with just offering top speed now, with the price and restrictions that goes with it...

If I recall, I think this is because telecom have to wholesale thier offerings all at the same price, regardless of speed, as set down by the competition watchdog...

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Reply # 48712 15-Oct-2006 14:58

TheBartender: Let me rephrase...its not that they have been left behind, but that they will get left behind, as there has been many rapid changes in adsl and wireless, and few if any at TelstraClear...they have been left behind in terms of price though, TelstraClear while good, are not cheap.

In technical terms, there's plenty of capacity to wring out of TCL's HFC network yet.

Telstra is also going to lay a new cable to the US, as I'm guessing they're not keen on SCC's monopoly and stiff pricing.

Juha

Snoop

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Reply # 48714 15-Oct-2006 15:08

freitasm:
Snoop: why wont they upgrade thier stuff to compete with the world? wth the plans atm it really sux. 10mb upload and 128kb download & DATA CAPS!. if they would make a plan somewhat like 2mb upload and download with no caps it would be great.

Are you talking of TelstraClear? First If so, then you have "download" and "upload" the other way around.

Second, they do have a 10 Mbps down/2 Mbps up plan. I am using it right now.

My point is not that they shouldn't create an "unlimited" plan. Please read the comment again. I am clear: they should not implement a "managed" plan like Xtra does.

Snoop: here for 10GB plan you pay almost/more then $100, and crappy upload speed.

Again, if you are talking about TelstraClear check the plans: I am paying just about this on a 80 GB plan, not 10 GB.

ROFL, typo sry bout the upload and dload. unlimited plan like how?

i was wondering when would we get connection with no caps XD download as much as you want. maybe caps for transfer rate. then we wont need to worry when we hit the limit. dont wanna pay so much for 80GB plan from telstraclear. $20 is still hard earned money >.<

freitasm:
Snoop: why wont they upgrade thier stuff to compete with the world?

Because they don't have to. They have to compete to other New Zealand ISPs. You can't compare prices in the U.S and the UK with prices in New Zealand. Different market sizes, different rules, different costs to deliver services.

yes..i agree but it looks very behind time >.< even different market size and rules etc, i really believe that market would grow if price drop and service up. about income, cheaper price = more users & more loyal customers. it still can cover the costs. maybe its a little bit more work. well thats the price to pay for better income. Xtra not very generous with thier plans ..

euanandrews

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Reply # 48715 15-Oct-2006 15:21

juha: In technical terms, there's plenty of capacity to wring out of TCL's HFC network yet.

The 'PowerLine Communications (PLC)' your blogging about sounds alot like 'HomePlug'...been around quite some time but never took off here, and while some Homeplug and simular products can still be found for sale here, the prices are not very competitive with the likes of wireless...I looked at with alot off interest some time ago...

In the US there are some states that supply broadband etc via the local power grid...

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Reply # 48721 15-Oct-2006 16:25

Broadband PLC has problems, in most countries that it has been deployed they have had to pull it out. Recently the Budespost of Austria shutdown 50,000 PLC users due to the system totally blocking existing HF radio services. Same thing happend in Australia, and about 6 other European countries. Singapore had a trial, snap, same problem.

Cyril

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