Which broadband provider?

[Deviant Esq]

I will be back in New Zealand in less than two weeks (Christchurch that is), and one of the things I'm really not looking forward to is setting broadband up again. There's been plenty of grief about the quality of the product recently, with the Go Large debacle amongst others. Had a browse through an old thread that gave Orcon a few good votes, but that was a few months ago. So at the moment, what sort of service are you getting from your provider?

My minimum requirements: 2 Mbps down / 128 kbps up. Data cap: 5 Gig should be enough. Orcon offer this package for $39.95 per month, as long as I have my tolls with them as well. Not sure about the tolls part, but the price seems reasonable.
I also play games online occasionally, so a good ping would be useful. Reliable connection would be nice, as would a relatively speedy helpline if things do go pear shaped.

Vote in the poll: Who would you recommend? Are you with them now?

Also any tips on who to avoid like the plague would be appreciated too!

I know there's a lot of stuff on KB about this topic (did a search, browsed through a couple of threads), but I'm starting a new thread because I'd like current information. Have had rotten service from iHug in the past, so they're not part of the poll, though you can still vote for them through "other". Service with Xtra when I was with them wasn't too bad, but was more expensive than most other providers. I gather Xtra isn't such a good proposition these days, so naturally I'd be wary about joining with them.

Your comments would be much appreciated. :)

[shaneh]

Could I suggest to the moderator that the poll also includes non-ADSL options, such as Wired Country wireless, satellite and fibre. These are all viable alternatives and some run much better than ADSL.

[Juud]

I voted TelstraClear but only if you can get cable (Wellington and Chch region). Otherwise there are tons of better options out there.

I'm with TC, 2 mb up/download, 5 Gb a month paying $39.95 (that includes package discount though).

Edit: Pricing here (http://www.telstraclear.co.nz/products-res/packages/residential_pricing.cfm)

[jetboy]

Do not, for God's sake, go to Woosh. Useless internet - its slooooow, bad customer service as you can wait on hold for over an hour! and all their calls go to a call center in India where you get someone who speaks 5 words of english.

Orcon sounds like the better option.

[Swoop]

Anything other than Tell-lie-con.:Punk:

[GR81]

some of them are only as good as the infrastructure they use. ie: telecom

i voted orcon.

[The Pastor]

I used to be on orcon but switched over to telecock, on telescum im on the go large/goslow plan. They have throttled it way back, I can't connect to any p2p progammes at all, including bit torerrent. Telecon are the biggest bunch of tosses out there.


It is ok for just normal web page based downloads, and browsing websites however.

Anything else its sux

[timorang]

I'm with Actrix at home. Had them for dial up for years and recently changed to their broadband. They have always been excellent for backup, advice, contactability, reliabilty and performance (for our modest needs).

[rwh]

I will be back in New Zealand
Where in NZ?

I'm reasonably happy with TelstraClear cable, but AFAIK it's only available in parts of Wellington and Christchurch. If I was stuck with ADSL ... I've heard good things about Orcon, and also have been reasonably happy with Actrix when I was on dialup, but I'd have to do a bit more research.

Richard

[jrandom]

Yes, it does make a difference where you'll be in the country.

If you're in Auckland, Orcon is a no-brainer.

[ManDownUnder]

Yes, it does make a difference where you'll be in the country.

If you're in Auckland, Orcon is a no-brainer.

And if you're in Wainui, the no brainer would be Cloe...

[Beemer]

And if you're in Wainui, the no brainer would be Cloe...

You are WAY behind the times - look where she is now (from TV1's Close Up, 19 September - possibly 2006):

The Return of Chloe!
She put the tiger into slippers and the wild and the wacky into Wainuiomata. It's 12 years since Chloe Reeves giggled and squeaked her way into our lives on the old "Heartland" programme.
Mother-of-five Chloe's now 46, is a grandmother, has found new love, and long left Wainui behind.
But she still yearns to be a jazz singer, and wouldn't mind her 15 minutes of fame again.
Chloe's now one of Waiheke Island's more recognisable residents and is preparing for a lead role in the local theatre company's production of Footrot Flats. Chloe takes Michael Holland on a tour of heartland Waiheke.

[Toaster]

I used to be on orcon but switched over to telecock, on telescum im on the go large/goslow plan. They have throttled it way back, I can't connect to any p2p progammes at all, including bit torerrent. Telecon are the biggest bunch of tosses out there.

It is ok for just normal web page based downloads, and browsing websites however.

Anything else its sux

I'm on the next one down.... doesn't take long to exceed download limit and get dragged back into the stone-age. I keep telling myself at least it is probably faster than the Go Large thing when it does work!

[NighthawkNZ]

Depends alot on your location... how close you are to an exchange... if to far away wireless or satilite may be an option...

[pete376403]

Another vote for TelstraClear CABLE. I would imagine T/C ADSL is as bad as any other providers as they all use the same infrastructure, controlled by the same monopoly.

[Deviant Esq]

Where in NZ?

I'm reasonably happy with TelstraClear cable, but AFAIK it's only available in parts of Wellington and Christchurch.
Sorry, probably should have specified. Will be in Christchurch, just north of Bealey Ave, so fairly central. Will edit my original post so it's a bit clearer. Cable isn't available at my flat unfortunately, unless we can convince the other four flats to join up (fat chance), we'd have to pay for the cable to be laid. And since we're not going to be at this flat for that long... um... fsck that? :whistle:

I'd like to go with cable as I've heard good things about it, but I guess I'll have to stick with ADSL for the time being. Still mildly concerned about Orcon in Christchurch - I was with them for about three months about 18 months ago, and it was absolutely atrocious. Very very slow (worse than dialup), unreliable, and it wasn't solved for the three months I was with them, so I very grumpily pulled the plug and went to Xtra. They must've improved since then, surely? Any Christchurch members with them?


Do not, for God's sake, go to Woosh.
Back when I used to work at Harvey Norman we used to stock Woosh products. It was absolutely pointless back then, they had about as much coverage as a 50 cent coin, and I've heard it's not improved. We used to refer to it as WOFT Wireless - Waste Of Fscking Time. That's why they're not on my poll! :blip:

Thanks for the comments so far guys... Orcon sounding like the lesser of 14 evils. More opinions still appreciated though. :cool:

[ManDownUnder]

You are WAY behind the times -

... snip...

Chloe's now one of Waiheke Island's more recognisable residents and is preparing for a lead role in the local theatre company's production of Footrot Flats. Chloe takes Michael Holland on a tour of heartland Waiheke.

LOLOL... and yet that "inspired" feeling still eludes me...

[miSTa]

TC cable though they do seem to be having a few issues of late.

[avgas]

Torrents go good on dial up

[Kendog]

Cable is the way to go, if you end up in a cable area.

Edit: Just noticed your flat situation, shame.
Just make sure when you move you move to a cable location.

[Flyingpony]

I'm with TelstraClear (Paradise.net) for dialup. They've been very reliable during the whole time I've been with them (4 years I think). Service in the past three weeks has been shite. Sometimes can connect to websites, sometimes can't. Looks to be IP packet routing problem, might be the phone exchange on the blink again? Being on dialup, I've not bothered with bit torrents or on-line gaming.

Have looked into broadband but Telstra are too expensive and all other service providers would require me to switch my home phone onto Telecom ... no thanks.

If any body knows of a board band package which doesn't include tolls or line rental, let me know. I'm looking for a plan which is pure ADSL without tolls and without line rental because I'd like to cut my home phone off.

[jetboy]

Back when I used to work at Harvey Norman we used to stock Woosh products. It was absolutely pointless back then, they had about as much coverage as a 50 cent coin, and I've heard it's not improved. We used to refer to it as WOFT Wireless - Waste Of Fscking Time. That's why they're not on my poll!


Yeah I used their broadband DSL connection so it's not wireless. Still a AFWOTWTUBC = Absolute Fcuking Waste Of Time With This Useless Bastard Company

[Lias]

I'm with telescum, purely for the uncapped plan, even if its slow I still do 70+gb most months.

I have to vote for orcon thou, was with them for awhile and always had good service and speeds from them.. Its just they went to capped plans (zero shock is just a cappled plan that pretends it isnt)

Ihug used to be good but have gone to shit by all accounts

Didnt like TelstraClear / TelstraSaturn when I was with them on cable in welly ~6 years ago, and I know other people who've had really shocking experiences with them more recently as well. Billing fuckups and a complete lack of customer support or willingess to accept any fault on their end.

My 2 cents.

[Disco Dan]

Woosh.

You can take the wireless modem anywhere. Even has it's own battery. You can sit on the beach and surf the net.. then go home and plug it back into your router, recharge the battery and keep surfing. There is no roaming charges, so I can take the modem on holiday around NZ with me and still have the same internet.

Yes their customer service sucks, but they are obviously trying to keep their overheads as low as they can - this is reflected in the cheaper bill and heavier wallet in my pocket so fine with me. FYI only had to call them once anyway.

[enigma51]

Anything other than Tell-lie-con.:Punk:

Or ihug :sick:

[bladez]

i find inspire great $55 a month and thats 10gig full speed found telli cut me off all the time and oricon would not let me d/l torrents:done:

[Korea]

Have just come off Telecom and now on TelstraClear Cable - 4Mbit up 2 Mbit down - which is just about the speed you get... in New Zealand.
Once you try to connect overseas, the speed drops right down.
Is this the case for all New Zealand broadband???

www.speedtest.net

[disenfranchised]

Slingshot...but then I do work for them, so I'd hardly have a different opinion.

That aside, speed is good. I'm on the fastest plan, came home from work, started the latest episode of a TV show going (350Mb) and it was done 12 minutes later....so I can't complain

[Deviant Esq]

Orcon, it is for sure the best.
Xtra is managed and the speed sucks.

That's pretty much the sort of opinion I'm after Speedie, cheers mate. Still have concerns as to whether or not it's quite as good in Christchurch though... where are the Christchurch KBers hiding?! :Pokey: Telstra's cable sounds as though it would be the best plan... if I was in a place I was able to get it! Tried when we first moved there - shot down. :(

[Grub]

I'm in the majority of voters for "Other" s I've been with IHUG since they started and they are just brilliant. Good speed, good service and cheap as chips with the phone/tolls plan. Oh and our phone bill os WAY cheaper than with telecom

[Deviant Esq]

Just to update anyone who is interested: I heard good things about the services of Slingshot in Christchurch, so I'm now with them. I have a 2Mbps / 128kbps service, with a 6Gb cap, for $39.95 per month - this price includes a $10 discount for having tolls with them as well (which are quite reasonable too). The connection so far has been very good, fast and reliable.

If I were in Auckland or Wellington I almost certainly would have gone with Orcon, if I didn't have the option of Telstra's cable (don't have that option atm either). But since I've been with Orcon down here before and the service was not very good, I thought I'd give Slingshot a try. There was no connection fee, and because I already have a modem, there was no minimum term with them either, which I like.

Thanks to all those that gave helpful advice. :)

[yod]

Do not, for God's sake, go to Woosh. Useless internet - its slooooow, bad customer service as you can wait on hold for over an hour! and all their calls go to a call center in India where you get someone who speaks 5 words of english.

Orcon sounds like the better option.

im on woosh

i've never talked to an indian
it's never slow
and i got the only decent uncapped plan in the country (but its not available anymore muahahahaha)

[MOTOXXX]

i use telstra clear cable. 4m down 2m up.

its fan fucking tastic. they have way less outages than telecom.

go for that if you can get it.

otherwise xnet is good also.