[mmcguire2020]

Hi, I moving to NZ in Dec and was wondering if it was worth have a mobile phone. I currently live in the US and have unlimited plan w/ unlimited minutes, data, internet, text, for $45.00USD and was wondering is there a similar plan in NZ. I can't see myself without a mobile phone so I'm hoping they are affordable.

[Mrs Pony]

umm... how the heck do you have?! We're getting screwed!

[melly]

Don't know exact details, but have been looking and to get all that you get on your current plan is going to be quite expensive in NZ. It's that data, internet part that is expensive.

[mmcguire2020]

In the US I have Cricket Wireless. But I found Vodafone for NZ but I dont understand the rates. I would like everything unlimited but it looks costly. I guess I will have to learn to live without once I get there.

[BkyMonster]

Ha. I was wondering how you got such a good deal and I thought it must be Cricket or US Cellular. My OH used to work for Cricket back when they launched. Before they declared bankruptcy and closed a lot of markets. (Shoves the oodles of Cricket coffee mugs and old shirts) ;)
Unlimited is not something you'll see a lot of in NZ I think. There are unlimited text plans, but I don't think there are unlimited data or voice plans. You certainly won't find anything like Cricket yet.

[mmcguire2020]

Yeah Cricket does the job. I mainly use text so if unlimited text is in NZ I guess i'll be fine. But thanks for all your replys. It seems prepaid phones are more popular in NZ than contract phones is this correct?

[AndyR]

I think vodaphone do an 1 GIG per month plan for the iphone and it works out at 90 quid or 180 dollars a month. So prepared to be abducted and probed on the prices!

[mmcguire2020]

Thanks Andy, yeah I would like to get an iphone. I was actually going to buy one here in the states but will wait till I get to NZ to buy it there. The iphone is almost $1000 in NZ:no but here its $200 so I dont know. I might just get a cheap prepay phone when I move there and just wait until services expand and wait on the iphone to drop in price:).

[James 1077]

Mobile phone costs here are very expensive (especially data costs) so you won't find anything like the deal you had in the US.

As for your question on is it worth having one the answer, in my mind, is a resounding yes; but then I would feel slightly less naked leaving home without my trousers on than without a phone!

Get a cheap Pay as You Go on Vodafone so that you have a number to give to people and then later investigate if a contract is better for you - if your current phone is able to do GSM then you only need a SIM card.

[mmcguire2020]

Thanks everyone for answering my question:clap The help is much appreciated:o

[Mr TW]

I've looked into plans and they are certainly more expensive than the UK. What I've done is to get a Voda pay as you go sim sent out to me (they should arrive in the next few days). This gives people an NZ contact number, prior to us landing ( you can choose the number from a list so you get an easy to remember one).

I can get it working on my existing phone by geting the phone unlocked, then it gives me time to check out the plans once I am there, as the number can be ported to my new plan.

[melly]

I've looked into plans and they are certainly more expensive than the UK. What I've done is to get a Voda pay as you go sim sent out to me (they should arrive in the next few days). This gives people an NZ contact number, prior to us landing ( you can choose the number from a list so you get an easy to remember one).

I can get it working on my existing phone by geting the phone unlocked, then it gives me time to check out the plans once I am there, as the number can be ported to my new plan.

Can you give me more details on how you got the Voda pay thing? Did you buy it from Vodafone NZ? How much did it cost? Can you do it via the website?

I'm interested in getting one before we go so we can give a contact number to family.

[jandk]

I bought a voda pay as you go when i arrived in nz as at the time there was also a good rate on calls to uk . It is still $35 for a sim (correct me if im wrong) and if you register it you get $15 talk time

[SNK05]

Can you give me more details on how you got the Voda pay thing? Did you buy it from Vodafone NZ? How much did it cost? Can you do it via the website?

I'm interested in getting one before we go so we can give a contact number to family.

I too would be interested. I currently have a monthly plan with Vodafone UK but may switch to pay-as-you-go initially in NZ. Would be good to know your number in advance, contact for family etc. especially as I imagine it will be a while before I get sorted with an internet provider!?

Sue
xx

[AndyR]

I had a sim from carphone warehouse, sim4travel its called. I got it so I can call Home for cheaper. I will be getting a phone when I land.

[mmcguire2020]

For anyone that wants a Vodafone sim for NZ before they leave can probably get one from ebay. If you have a friend in NZ they can mail you one. My kiwi fiancee is going to be sending me one so no worries.:raebanana

[BkyMonster]

I bought mine (and a decent unlocked phone as we needed a new phone anyhow) through http://www.telestial.com/

[tigerlily]

Bring a GSM phone with you! Save money first on the phone. Then save money buy getting a monthly plan. I felt like we really got the short end of the stick when we first got here and we were doing pay as you go. Also, get used to txting. It is much cheaper than calling!

[optrex]

Hi Folks,

Using the vodafone supa prepay (normal prepay is no longer available to new orders) he got

- Free Connection pack (worth $35)
- Free BestMate Add-On for 6 mths (worth $36)
- Free Weekends
- $45.00 total airtime balance

for $40 NZD using the info at http://store.vodafone.co.nz/Plan_Details.aspx?PlanID=2

Your billing address can be international, but the sims need to be delivered to an physical NZ address so he asked a friend on the forum to act as "go between". The sims arrived yesterday (one week after placing the order) and all we need to do is unlock the phones.

The additional postage incurred by the friend was 9 NZD, which was paid back using paypal at 9.06 NZD including fees.

Don't forget you end up with 45 NZD airtime :)

PS admin - alternate colour skin - multiquote is not working after post 1 on each page.