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Thread ID: 91081 2008-06-25 08:11:00 Vodafone 3g broadband. pine-o-cleen (2955) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
682404 2008-06-25 08:11:00 Moving into a new home and need broadband for work (just emails etc). At the moment we use approx 4 Gb / month.

We decided we can go without a land line and have (nearly) decided to go with Vodafone 3g broadband pro at $70 / month for 3 Gb ($10 for an extra 3Gb).

The plus? No phone connection! = Don't have to pay for the initial connection, can use broadband anywhere I take the laptop.

The minus? No phone connection! = If I want to make any sort of phone call, I have to pay per minute and have to sign up for 24 months or the plan is an extra $10 / month and they charge $700 for the vodem and VMC card.

What I really want to know is, do you knowledgeable guys and girls think this is a wise decision? (2 years seems an awful long time)

Also, has anybody signed up to 3g broadband and if so, experiences?

Thanks.
pine-o-cleen (2955)
682405 2008-06-25 09:51:00 Two years isn't really that long and considering the $40 odd dollars just for a line in if 3gig will keep you happy most of the time then I would go go for it. Are you sure you will get 3G though. mikebartnz (21)
682406 2008-06-25 09:53:00 ...Are you sure you will get 3G though.

Huh?
pine-o-cleen (2955)
682407 2008-06-25 09:56:00 Huh?

Isn't 3G only in the main NZ centres, and not out in the suburbs? Outside the coverage and you will only get very slow speeds. This map has 3G coverage, and as you will see, it is patchy www.vodafone.co.nz
robbyp (2751)
682408 2008-06-25 10:55:00 You have to really WANT wireless to put up with it - it is not to be compared with proper internet unless you enjoy gnashing your teeth.
I used it for a while, and other than being slow, erratic and expensive, it is handy on the bus etc. According to the coverage map, we are in a good signal area, but things work much better when the repeater/cell tower shadow falls on your section. If you have only previously had dial-up on a bad line, then the wireless doesn't seem so bad.
It suited me while I had it, but it is a far better experience being on X*** Fus***.
R2x1 (4628)
682409 2008-06-25 22:11:00 Get a Skype phone and a local number johcar (6283)
682410 2008-06-26 01:11:00 Have been using the same plan for the last year.... Check the broad band speed where you are first. Vodafone's site has a page to check just by typing in your address.
Most of NZ is on 2G, if any, coverage, some city areas are on 3G but speed depends on distance from the signal tower. Line of sight preferably.
Sue (33)
682411 2008-06-26 01:53:00 We decided we can go without a land line and have (nearly) decided to go with Vodafone 3g broadband pro at $70 / month for 3 Gb ($10 for an extra 3Gb).

The plus? No phone connection!

The minus? No phone connection! = If I want to make any sort of phone call, I have to pay per minute and have to sign up for 24 months or the plan is an extra $10 / month and they charge $700 for the vodem and VMC card.
.

Go with Snaps Naked dsl then, $70 gets you 10GB and VOIP. No contract if you use your own modem.
pctek (84)
682412 2008-06-26 05:44:00 +1 for NDSL.

Unless your right in a decent size city, you will get dial up speeds on 3G. (Or 2G, as the case may be). And massive pings, you can hardly measure the latency. It's horrible.
wratterus (105)
682413 2008-06-26 22:22:00 Vodafone's 3G coverage currently extends to about 63% of the footprint of our 2G network (which covers 97% of the places New Zealanders live work and play) but I would check the coverage at your address first before jumping in. Paul Brislen (13625)
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