Fricking internet companies

[Padmei]

I'm with ihug & pay $40 a month for 1 fricking Gig. That lasts for about 6 days then I start paying bigtime. Ihug have been really good as in no problems with them for the last few years but I know I can do better.
OK so google the best internet deal - anyone else done that?
They are all so fricking different. I haven't found one comparison that states : 'Yep you want 6 gig or so then this is the cheapest & relaiable.'

Help me out guys & girls. I want an easy option of say 5 or so Gig...

[thecharmed01]

Can I recommend Snap Internet?
http://www.snap.net.nz
I've been with them for years and they are great to deal with and voted best ISP 3 years running now.

They have a 5GB plan, it's about $60 but they also have cool add-ons like unimited google and youtube for $2 a month

[SMOKEU]

OK so google the best internet deal - anyone else done that?

There's no such thing in NZ as a good deal on internet. It's all a rip off compared to other first world countries.

I'm with Telstra, and while their cable service is good (by NZ standards), it's expensive and upload speeds are slow (2Mbps). I'm also limited to 40GB a month.

[Edbear]

Been around afew times checking everyone out and basically it's swings and roundabouts. One may be a bit better in one aspect but generally you need to be specifc as to what is important to you and go for that. You won't get everything you want but I've been with TelstraClear for years now and each time I've looked at other offers which are always said to be so much better, I've stayed with TCL. I used to work for them and enjoyed the people and the technical skill of the one's we asked to sort issues and recently when I had an issue they went out of their way to try to sort it before it became apparent it was probably a fault with my particular router or programming.

Their service has been very good with few problems, but of course nobody is perfect and a bit of politeness goes a long way to how you are treated.

I've heard horror stories about all the companies but if KB is anything to go by, that is hardly surprising. Having been on the receiving end of customer complaints and gaining a rep in TCL for being able to resolve them, I know you will either find a company very good or very bad depending on your own attitude and how you interelate with them.

One thing to research is that if you do decide to switch later on, what will the consequences be. One customer of Orcon's found that they couldn't take their business numbers with them to another network as they were on Orcon's own network which was completely seperate and required a physical wiring change and reconnection to the other telco's box and it was TCL that came up with a virtual number solution that would do the job. A frustrating and expensive and disrupting time that cost them a lot.

[Edbear]

There's no such thing in NZ as a good deal on internet. It's all a rip off compared to other first world countries.

I'm with Telstra, and while their cable service is good (by NZ standards), it's expensive and upload speeds are slow (2Mbps). I'm also limited to 40GB a month.

I find their overall package to be the best for my situation, running a business from home. I have free calling nationwide, 40min per month divert to my cellphone from home phone, and 40G internet which is plenty. I have faxability as well as a couple of other bits and pieces and when I added up the competition's offers TCL was well priced and certainly not worth changing from.

[Padmei]

Can I recommend Snap Internet?
http://www.snap.net.nz
I've been with them for years and they are great to deal with and voted best ISP 3 years running now.

They have a 5GB plan, it's about $60 but they also have cool add-ons like unimited google and youtube for $2 a month

Wow charmed one that looks like it could very well be the go.
Thanks very muchly

[SMOKEU]

I have read in Consumer magazine that many people report poor customer service and an unreliable connection through Telecom.

[Padmei]

I have read in Consumer magazine that many people report poor customer service and an unreliable connection through Telecom.

You mean for SNAP or Telecom itself?

[BMWST?]

I have read in Consumer magazine that many people report poor customer service and an unreliable connection through Telecom.

i have been with telecom for ages and have had no problems.

[SMOKEU]

You mean for SNAP or Telecom itself?

Telecom itself. There is an article about it in the latest Consumer magazine.

[thecharmed01]

I think he's saying don't go to Telecom hahahaha

Snap are an ISP in their own right.
I'm excited as I discovered when grabbing you a link, that they now do cell and I've ordered a SIM card tonight to replace my 2Degrees Prepay.
2Degrees suck ASS and their customer service is horrible.
I rang and had a chat to the Snap guys about mobile and I'm sold. So hopefully in a day or two I'll be with them for mobile AND internet.

My contract phone is with Vodafone, but I think Snap's deal is better than having prepay by the looks!

[sil3nt]

http://slingshot.co.nz/internet

[Padmei]

You just settle down there young fella - it's nearly bedtime & we don't want you getting all antsy thinking about your new sim card - you've got a big day tomorrow.

I'm with telecom with my mobile but don't think I'd give them any more business on principle.

[rainman]

2Degrees suck ASS and their customer service is horrible.

Eh? I've been with Vodafone and Telecom over the years and 2degrees are a breath of fresh air - awesome product, good coverage where I am, no long wait times when calling for support, and outstanding customer service over the phone and in the stores. Their tech people actually have brains and speak English.

Just goes to show we're all a bit different in what we'r looking for, I suppose...

[thecharmed01]

Eh? I've been with Vodafone and Telecom over the years and 2degrees are a breath of fresh air - awesome product, good coverage where I am, no long wait times when calling for support, and outstanding customer service over the phone and in the stores. Their tech people actually have brains and speak English.

Just goes to show we're all a bit different in what we'r looking for, I suppose...

Possibly... I've always had good service from Vodafone, but on my recent foray into 2Degrees I found them hard to deal with and unreliable.
They cannot seem to answer any questions about your account on the spot, but promises to call you back with that information, never happen. They are also the most expensive provider about and they don't give you all the information you need.
I spoke to staff in store, and on the phone prior to starting with them and was told Facebook was free. Which I thought was great - and matched Vodafone.
However, not until I managed to chew through $60 credit in an hour, did I find out the catches.
When I called to find out what happened, it took 12 phone calls over two weeks to find out and not once did they call back as they promised.
They also ALL told me on the phone "yes Facebook is free on 2Degrees" but it wasn't until the very last person (a manager no less) I spoke to that I found out actually, it's only the 0.facebook mobile site that is free, and all smartphone apps incur charges as they all port through the main Facebook site. Now that I know, I don't use the apps anymore, but I am so amazed that 11 people couldn't tell me that smartphone apps cost you in data - they were all terribly puzzled about the charges when all I was using was Facebook.

It's a shame, but at least Snap were up front and said they don't yet offer free Facebook but it's coming. They are also cheaper for casual data than 2Degrees. But not as cheap as Vodafone LOL

Vodafone offer free Facebook no matter how you connect as an aside...