Cellphone coverage - North/South Island in current environment?

[Grant`]

HI Guys

Have some people who are coming out from England in a couple of weeks to do a trip around the countryside on Motorcycles and they have asked about cellphones (Pre Pay Sim) and who provides best coverage. I was leaning towards more so Vodafone/Telecom with Telecom having slightly better coverage in out of town areas than the likes of Vodafone.

However I am guessing, so would like some peoples insights into this as to whether things are different to how I am thinking above and which provider would suit these guys the best.

Also Telstra Clear and 2degrees are they any good, I believe Telstra uses vodafones network, is 2degrees the same?

Any help would be appreciated.

[Jay GTI]

As a generalisation (so not always the case) Telecom seem to cover the middle of nowhere areas better than Vodafone, but if they are just hitting the main drags, then this isn't so much of an issue.

2Deg have their own network in the main centres (I think still Auck and Welly, but they are expanding) and you piggyback off Vodafone where they don't have their own cell sites. Telstra are an MVNO (virtual operator) and basically re-sell Vodafone, so no difference in coverage.

2Deg is generally quite a bit cheaper than VF and TNZ, so as coverage and service aren't really a differentiating factor, then cost is the next thing to look at.

[Scuba_Steve]

2degrees uses their own in main centres but Vodafone's everywhere else
Telstra is straight Vodafone & not sure their worth looking into unless business customer (that tends to be their focus)
Telecom vs Vodafone, well the old CDMA was best for reception but thats a thing of the past now, tho I'd still lean Telecom as they're more likely to offer coverage in the "cool little shitty out of the way" places round NZ the sort of places bikers tend to end up when cruising for fun
However 2degress is likely to be cheapest still

[cheshirecat]

If they want to use their own phones then Telecom net is not always compatible. Also warn them of the horendous cost of phone internet use here compared to what they are used to. IE An unlimited plan for some $30 per month. I found it cheaper to use my UK simcard (and therefore number) here then my 2 degrees one! The only down is that people calling you get clobbered.
See Gifgaf (http://giffgaff.com/)

[MaxCannon]

I carry one Vodafone and one Telecom.
Vodafone's coverage is miserable - EVERYWHERE. Even in Auckland I constantly have issues with drop offs, no signal etc.
Rural areas around Auckland - forget about making a call on Vodafone.

Telecom seems to offer much better service.

[Jay GTI]

If they want to use their own phones then Telecom net is not always compatible.

Ah yes, forgot about that point, TNZ use an 850MHz carrier frequency, so if they don't have a quad-band or similar handset that is 850 compatable, it won't work. And of course, should they still be using a 2G handset, that won't work on TNZ either...

[pritch]

Last time I was down the West Coast, it didn't matter who you were with, there was no coverage around the Franz Joseph / Fox area.

Some surprising out-of-the-way places like Dansey's Pass had broadband though IIRC.

[Grant`]

So realistically its quite surprising we are not walking with the old brick telephones still. :brick:

I will pass this link on to him so all information is most welcome.

[EJK]

I twice went travel down South Island (all over) and was using data + GPS + calls. I tell you, Vodafone coverage is just pathetic. I don't know about Telecom but, just 2-3kms outside of any town has no coverage what so ever.

I don't know about other service providers but Vodafone's coverage is.... bad.

[FJRider]

Last time I was down the West Coast, it didn't matter who you were with, there was no coverage around the Franz Joseph / Fox area.



Between Ross and Hawea ... Fox and Franz ONLY are in cell coverage now. Arthurs pass township has coverage.

[EJK]

Between Ross and Hawea ... Fox and Franz ONLY are in cell coverage now. Arthurs pass township has coverage.

Just. Between residents and towns are still twilight zone. I just been through there last Wednesday (Vodafone).

[FJRider]

Just. Between residents and towns are still twilight zone. I just been through there last Wednesday (Vodafone).

And that also depends on which way the wind is blowing ... and how you hold your tounge.

The sight of "visitors" on the side of the road holding up their cellphones to the sky to get a signal ALWAYS makes me smile.

[Gremlin]

As already said, there are still plenty of areas that have zilch coverage, even the odd town.

However, on a balance of odds, you're going to get Telecom coverage before you get Vodafone... and the speeds and signal strength will be better on Telecom.

Going down in two days... I can do some Telecom testing if you like (I'm on Telecom)

[Grant`]

As already said, there are still plenty of areas that have zilch coverage, even the odd town.

However, on a balance of odds, you're going to get Telecom coverage before you get Vodafone... and the speeds and signal strength will be better on Telecom.

Going down in two days... I can do some Telecom testing if you like (I'm on Telecom)

Yeah your thoughts would be appreciated.

[Virago]

Thankfully Telecom have dropped their misleading claims in recent years - something along the lines of "We cover 98% of the places NZers live work and play" - the truth was "We cover the places where 98% of NZers live work and play" - a slight difference.

That said, Telecom are the best option for coverage out of the main centres.

Coverage map here: http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobile/ournetwork/newzealandxtmobilecoverage/