[JohnM]

Has anyone used their laptop in hotels/motels with dial-up phone lines to get on the internet? I am bringing a borrowed laptop from the States, and have rooms booked where they only have phone line connections for computers. What number did you have to dial from your modem? And was it a charge to the hotel bill?

Thanks!
John

[Jaideco]

Hi,

I tried this recently...

When you need an external line from a hotel room you will typically need to dial "1" first so you will need to add this to your dialling string.

Secondly you need an account with an ISP that doesn't validate on the number you are dialling from (yes FreeNet I am talking about you) ;)

I would personally recommend you start by just buying a Kia-Ora phone card that comes with some credit and gives you a choice of local numbers to connect to and then search for an ISP that serves your region with a package you like.

As for charging... I don't know but I think you would be lucky to find a hotel that doesn't charge a local rate for your call even if the number used is actually a freephone number.

Hopefully this will set you on your way!

[jdbob]

I stayed at the Bella Vista in Blenheim recently. They had an ethernet jack in the wall for broadband (NZ$1 for first MB, $0.50 for each extra MB per day).

They also had a note about dial-up, I think the hotel charged something like NZ$0.10 per minute for use of the phone line.

[JohnM]

Jaideco,
So, I have to get an Internet Provider when I'm traveling around NZ and staying at different hotels? How would I go about that?

thanks,
John

[Jaideco]

That really depends on how much you are going to be using the web.

If you are just going to be checking email occasionally, I would probably stick with the kia-ora card or similar... just find something with a decent price that works for you and had good coverage.

If you are going to be using a lot and you are sure you don't want to use internet cafe's etc (they are in most decent sized towns). Just go to www.google.co.nz and search nz for free dialup providers, you should get a list to choose from.

Despite my dig at FreeNet, they are actually my telecom provider of choice until I get a place with broadband. They require a "calling from" number but if you dial your mobile from the hotel room and hang up immediately you can check the number on your mobile. They are free for the first 60 minutes each month and then $9.95 for unlimited time online. Please note that the hotel can still charge you time on the phone if they feel like it.

I shall have a rummage and if I can find a decent list of providers, I shall let you know.

All the best,

PS. NZ Vodafone PAYG Sim cards cost $35 and come with $15 credit at the moment. This should give you an idea of how much that can cost.

[JohnM]

Thanks for all of that Jaedico, very useful information. I've since found out that my employer here (large research University with people all over the world), has local phone numbers in most countries including NZ that I can dial into. Since this is a personal trip, I have to "fund" an account here with some bucks to use it, but the usage charge is only $2.50/hour US. I realize I will still incur the call charge from the hotel but it shouldn't be that much so hopefully I can get online for an hour or so at each hotel. And I will definitely also purchase a phone card to use while in NZ so can call folks here in the US while I'm there.

Thanks for the replies, this has helped a lot.

One week until I fly to NZ for the big adventure!

John