[Going2NZ]

OK, I keep reading up on the getting wireless set up so that I can stop spending so much time and money in internet cafes. I understand that there are quite a few companies, lots of access (particularly in Wellington) and decent speeds. But how do they charge? Is it $10 a day, everyday you're signed up? Or do they charge per minute/second/millisecond that you're connected? Or is it literally just the download time i.e. the page loads in 3 seconds, you spend 10 minutes reading it, you get charge just for the 3 seconds of download?

Also, since the latest postings I could find on this topic were last January, could anyone update their feelings and experiences on what companies to avoid or sign up with?

Thanks to anyone who can help me figure this out. I just can't seem to glue all the information I've found together to come up with a solution.

Susan

[Timbo]

You beat me to it with this one Susan. I am trying to decide whether it is worth buying a wifi enabled laptop to tie me over till our container arrives. But, I am not covinced that there is enough wireless coverage in NZ to justify it.
From what I can make out, airports and major towns/citys are ok, but once you get into suburbs or beyond, thats your lot.

[Timbo]

Have been checking out Telecom nz coverage.

http://www.telecom.co.nz/content/0,3900,204173-1066,00.html?region=

It seems that you are ok so long as you like Macs and Starbucks :uhoh

[StevieD]

There is another company called Whoosh telecom doing wireless broadband. I have heard that they have hit problems especially in the rural areas. Hope they don't rectify it too early coz I looking for a job with them!

[Miffy]

Do you mean taking your lap top in and uses wireless service offered by say starbucks ?
If you were a bad person you could hook up your laptop and just use one of the wireless conntections that are floating around unsecured. Where we live our laptop detects 5 wireless contections from neighbours or business. only two of them (one of them ours) are secured!!!! (btw i think this could be illegal but at the minmul to do this is morally wrong!!!)

Or do you mean getting broadband and using your laptop at home, but via a wireless modem?

[Timbo]

Perish the thought Miffy. I wouldnt dream of "borrowing" someone elses connection :yes ;)
I was thinking along the lines of using a laptop in or around wifi hotspots, while travelling around.
Stevie, judging by the limited coverage I have seen offered by Whoosh, they need all the help they can get.

[Going2NZ]

For me, I want to use wireless services at whatever hotspots are available. I'm not settled in anywhere so I don't have an address to set up with my own service.

If I understand correctly, there are plenty of places in Wellington like the public library that have the connections. I assume that the "public" ones aren't secured but not sure about that. As for Macs and Starbucks, my preference is Macs but the one time I had coffee at a Starbucks in Chch it was terrible! <sorry, off topic but important>

I've looked at the Whoosh and Telecom sites but they don't really explain the system very well. I know what they charge per hour or per day but I can't see that it would be worth paying $10 a day on top of the cost of buying a laptop. If regular, as in landline, broadband costs $80 a month, you would be paying $300 a month for the mobile equivilent if they charged $10 per day. I think.

Eventually, I'll have my desktop here. But I think I'd get more done if I could use a laptop offline to write letters, applications, etc. then pay the wifi connection fee only when I need it. I know, I want the best of both worlds. I'll keep looking and make some phone calls and let you know what I come up with.

Thanks,
Susan

[clg]

We went with Whoosh after we arrived. The montly service is something like 40 but you need to buy a modem or sign up for a 1 year agreement. It worked fine in the wellington CBD. I bought a whoosh modem and will be listing it soon on trademe...

Chris

[Going2NZ]

Hmmm, I'll give Whoosh a call. And please let me know if you're going to sell that modem. Maybe we can work something out.

[Smiler]

Susan

I just got Gary to type you a 10000 word reply. He has pressed the wrong button and lost his answer. (:D snigga snigga) Oh that'll be the IT security professional in him!

Anyways, can you wait til we see you next, if not email me. He is now sitting in the corner mumbling about cafenet. I think the link is www.cafenet.co.nz (http://www.cafenet.co.nz/). We've used them here.

Deborah