[Klipa]

We are moving from Canada in September. From what I have read, many people have brought over unlocked cell phones from their original country and used them in New Zealand.

I am aware of the type of phone I need to bring (my current phone is not compatible) so I am wondering if it is still better for us to purchase a brand new phone here and have it unlocked or whether it would make more sense financially to buy it in NZ. Do the providers offer discounts on phones when purchased with a plan for example or do you pay full price for the phone no matter what.

Just figuring out if we should start shopping around while still here!

Thanks.

[kanatakiwi]

yes providers do offer deals on phones if you purchase a plan. I brought my triband phone from canada and got a new sim card here. However, this phone which gives me excellent network coverage anywhere in BC , is very spotty on coverage in auckland. there is nothing wrong with the phone, I have had it checked out. Some people say its because I am just using pre pay top up phone cards,and I should go on a plan, but its often the case that I have no network coverage (Vodaphone) while my husband who has a cheap $20 second hand phone , also on vodaphone prepay cards, has no problems at all with coverage. When I turn my phone on it goes first to Rogers network and then to vodaphone, that might be the problem. I dont know why it does that. That said, I bought this phone for $80 when it was a year old and about to be replaced by newer Nokia models, but it has the QWERTY keyboard for texting, (good for us older folks with failing eyesight!) and to get somethign similar here would cost $800. ! phones are not cheap here. If you bring a triband phone here you have no choice but to go with Vodaphone, not that Telecom is that great anyway, but both offer some good plans, and you can get a phone with them.
A sim card here costs $35 (and I just bought a Canadian sim card for $8 when I was home last month) so it makes for a pretty cheap phone, but maybe I will try upgrading my plan and see if that makes any difference.
Hope to see you soon. and the lovely husky!
G

[IanW99]

If your current phone is not compatible with NZ then I would probably wait until you are in NZ. That way if there is a problem you can get it sorted easily.

There are currently two incompatible systems here, you either go with Vodaphone or with Telecom and it isn't possible to switch between them with the same phone.

You will need to decide which network you want to go with and decide from there, and that decision will be on a per person basis so can't really advise.

Yes you can buy phones on plans here to save costs and phoning mobiles is very expensive (IMO) and you will find because of this most people text instead.

I would suggest you look at the Telecom and Vodaphone websites to look at the phones on offer and also the calling plans available.

If you decide on Telecom then you will have to wait till NZ.

If you decide on Vodaphone then check the prices and also availability as not all phones are available here. If you still decide to buy from Canada then don't forget to check costs of getting the phone unlocked.

Ian