[Wahlet]

We arrived in Wellington!!! Beautiful city, we are NOT disappointed.

We've been using a rechargeable calling card to call back home to the US but it's 8.9c per minute...I'm sure there's got to be something cheaper. Anyone aware of a cheaper rate available? On a slightly different topic, I wouldn't mind getting a cell phone. How are cell phone rates for calls to the US?

Another related question: when we find a permanent place to live, we will be shopping for internet access. Is it possible to get the internet service only and not pay for a landline (use a cell phone instead), or do the internet and phone come as a package as is common with DSL access in the US?

Thanks,
David

[Ojai]

We do this with TelstraClear. We have TV and internet service, and use Skype's $10/mo package for unlimited calling in NZ and to the US.

As for the cell calls and calling cards to the US, I don't know. We used Skype with hotspots and CafeNet (cafenet.co.nz) before we got our flat.

Welcome to Welly!

[benhila]

We use Cheap Chat rechargeable phone card to call the UK and Israel and it is unbelievably cheap. I don't know about calls to the US but perhaps you should give it a try.

[M-Squared]

I get 90 mins international calling a month with my mobile plan (Vodafone). Telecom seems really expensive. We can't get wireless broadband where we live, so we have mobile broadband. It sucks, big time! Last night over 90 minutes I lost my connection a mere 4 times grrrrr.

I just tend to use Skype through the computer to chat to my folks in England.

Welcome to Wellington though! :nice1

[Bozeman]

Cardcall.co.nz offers a number of different calling card options. The cheapest for the US seems to be 2.4 cents per minute. You should notice the cardcall fliers about town.

[Bruckner]

The post office also sells calling cards. We bought a $10 Good Call card but I don't think it's as low as the 2.4 above. Think it's nearer the 3.0 mark.

Emily

[sbinder]

David:
I think if you stop in at most dairies, they will have a bunch of fliers advertising calling cards in the window. I presently have Talk2U from ChiTel, which is pretty cheap (under 3ct/min to the US) but has pretty poor call quality. My old Yabba card from Telecom had much better quality but was quite a bit more expensive. I am sure there is a happy medium.

My prepaid Vodafone costs 89ct/min to call the States, but I have a deal that gives me free weekend texting whenever I spend $5 the week prior so the calls are expensive but I get a little kick-back on the weekend!

As far as internet goes, I am going through setting up my own shortly as well, and my impression is that you are pretty well limited to DSL if you don't want to pay an arm and leg. But I am pretty new at this...

[Wahlet]

Hey, thanks so much for all the advice people! I am going to check out the options you mentioned when I have some time away from work!!!

David