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

[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.

[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:Me]

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.