Which broadband provider?

[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?

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!

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

[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.

Or ihug

[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

[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?! 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