[Mr TW]

I've been reading through a few posts and need to clarify a few things with regards to broadband options.

Many people refer to a download cap or paying per Mb - is this usual and are there any exceptions?

Is ADSL readily available in most areas? I'm thinking outskirts of Chch. Is there a cable alternative?

[Moorf]

We're 55km inland from Chch and we've got ADSL - it hasn't been great though, but the kind people at Xtra/Telecom (whoever they were) recently refunded the previous 3 months rental fees to ALL their customers as the service had been dire - I'm sure more techy peeps can fill in the details (!) - but we're just grateful to have a "good" connection this far in the sticks...

[Mr TW]

OMG! They are VERY expensive aren't they :uhoh

[barryp]

Actually, the 'unlimited' Xtra plan was so inexpensive they had to stop taking new customers for awhile. (As well as refund 3 months' fees.) They were simply overwhelmed.

Genuinely good (fast, low latency, no caps) Internet service is only available in limited urban areas. In my area, the best value 'good' plan would cost $200-250 per month plus $500 setup charges. Ulp.

So I'm trying (not too successfully) to live with a 10GB/mo cable plan, which is around $50. It's 1995 here, Internet-wise.

[sizzlingbadger]

Still yet to see this '3 month refund' from Telecom :uhoh

[Mr TW]

So I'm trying (not too successfully) to live with a 10GB/mo cable plan, which is around $50. It's 1995 here, Internet-wise.

So I see, 10gb would be a no go, I use that now and with expanding to give 3 kids video chat to rels back home I've got no chance.

[Trigirl]

we use telstraclear - we dont use the internet heavily so we just use their 10Gb, 4Mbps option.

but their 40Gb option includes phone, digital TV (basic package), plus 10Mbps broadband with a 40Gb cap for $165 a month. Or the internet service is available on its own for $100 a month. they do also have an 80Gb option.

connection was free ("special" offer that they basically always have running!) and we've found the internet connection to be hugely (ten times or more) better than the Telecom one we had before.