[nativecolo]

Just a few days to leave...I fly on the 9th and reach on the 11th...

I was thinking about having a mobile phone number to keep in touch.....does anyone have any advice about SIM cards...which companies have good coverage...not that I'll be going anywhere remote just yet

Regards
NC

[ellenmelon]

you only have a choice of vodafone or telecom here. both are pretty much the same in my experience but others might be able to comment further..

[nativecolo]

Thanks....

I noticed on the internet that Telecomis CDMA and Vodafone is GSM...and also it seems importnt what frequencies the phone works on...I'm bringing a Nokia N70M...will this be an issue? I guess in this case Vodafone is the only option since it's GSM phone.

[BkyMonster]

You can buy a sim card in the airport for Vodaphone. Just make sure your phone is unlocked and the appropriate band (GSM 900) if you plan to use it in NZ.
I bought my prepaid sim card and unlocked phone from http://www.telestial.com/

[nate]

If your Nokia N70M is unlocked, then it will work fine on the Vodafone network here in New Zealand. Your phone won't work with the other wireless provider, Telecom. You can get a Vodafone SIM card as soon as you step off the plane. Or if you'd rather do it online, they're doing a special right now for $15NZ, to set up a prepaid SIM card with $5 credit. Their website is www.vodafone.co.nz

[IanW99]

...
Your phone won't work with the other wireless provider, Telecom....


Just in case anyone doesn't know?

Telecom will be launching their own GSM network this June (2009) so at that time you will be able to get a Telecom SIM card and use their network if you prefer.

It should also be noted that they will stop supporting the CDMA network once enough people have replaced their mobile phones with ones on the GSM network, so it might not be a good time to buy an expensive Telecom phone unless of course you change them often... :exit

Ian