Unfortunately Skinny doesn't do data only plans. Any suggestions for a data-only plan that's decent in terms of speeds and coverage, AND cost??J
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Data only (iPad) plans?
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Virtual numbers that suppply their own caller IDs?
Problem: I use my iPhone (Vodafone account) for personal use and for the two businesses that I run. When somebody calls, I can't tell if they are trying to reach me personally or one of the businesses, so have to just answer with my name and try (often unsuccessfully) to guess what/who they want.Question: is there a service out that there that could provide a virtual phone number for each of the businesses AND let me know through caller ID or even just a distinguishing phone number that I could store in my phone, which business an incoming call is for?TIA
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Skinny mobile plans seems to be better worth it?
I was just looking at the Skinny's plans esp their Skinny direct plans or those $36+ plans. Why would anyone go with another company other than those who have marginal reception, but generally speaking of a typical resident in NZ . Call waiting and the like .. yeah. Edit. Also what is the difference between Skinny and Skinny Direct? Skinny $36 plan vs Skinny Direct's $35 plan. Seems to be the difference with 28 and 30 day plan. Anything else? Oh the direct is 4GB but the normal Skinny is 4.5GB. Why direct ... Cheers.
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Broadband Options for shared accommodation
I am currently living in shared accommodation which provides WiFi access to the internet.There is a variety of options available, 4/60/80/150GB per month to unlimited.Speedtest shows performance as:-Ping - 6ms, Download 24.8 Mbps, Upload 16.9 Mbps My question is, "Would any of the 4G services currently available better that performance?".
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Wireless Nation RBI - 3G/4G General Speed and Reliability ?
HiJust wondering if any users have a view on Wireless Nation RBI Wireless 3G/4G Internet ? Mainly concerning download and upload speeds and reliability.We are looking at purchasing a property in rural Northland which already has the service. We work from home uploading and downloading large media files so this is a big consideration for us. Currently on Spark ADSL at our current property so a good reference point.How does Wireless Nation RBI wireless compare to ADSL and standard mobile handset 3G/4G speeds ?** Not interested in Satellite due to cost **Thanks in advance.Matt
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2degrees or Spark
I am confusing now. My mobile provider is Skinny currently. I want to switch to another provider. To search website. 2degrees and Spark have a promotion for Prepay. 2degressis $29 plan has a double data for 3 months(https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/mobile/prepay/). Spark $29 plan has a bouns data until 4 March 2019. (https://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile-plans/prepaid.html). How should I choose? Which one is best about mobile network speed and coverage? Thanks.
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Pre-paid accounts with call/txt/data use history available?
One of the reasons I use a post-paid plan is that I can see everything I have been billed for. With pre-paid you only know the current balance and historically you never could know how that balance was spent.My usage levels are low and therefore pre-paid would cost less than post-paid. Are there any pre-paid plans that offer online access to account activity similar to a post-paid account statement?
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SIMs for RBI
I have a question about SIMs for RBI: I'm out in the wops a lot with no phone coverage. If I buy a phone with Band28, will a standard VF SIM access RBI towers, or do I need a special SIM?I'm told VF controls who accesses RBI towers for load balance management, so fixed-location RBI customers technically only pay for access to the tower their antenna points to (carrier aggregation aside), and urban users cannot get access to RBI at all.I'm a WirelessNation customer, and assume I pay a premium for the privelidge of being able to swan around the country with my B525 router, accessing every tower I come across. W/N tell me the SIM in the B525 is locked to work only with my specific router and no other.So all SIMs are not created equal, which to me leaves open the question of whether phone users get access to RBI towers or not? VF help desk's response to the question ("I don't see why not...") was vague and unconvincing.Thoughts, anyone?
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SMS to many people
Hi, I work for a DHB and at present we use a primitive texting service (a cell phone loaded with a template) to the causal staff offering shifts. I have spoken to my Op's manager about using cloud based or software based bulk sms that can send a message to 80+ people at a time.Any recommendations?
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Dropping costs for Warehouse Mobile and now a new promotion
I've noticed that you are getting more for you money on several of the packs offered by Warehouse Mobile. Unlimited texts are still $4 per 31 days and 500MB of data is still $4 per 21 days, but $4 per 31 days will get you 200 minutes of voice calls instead of the 120 minutes it used to be. The $8 & $30 data packs have changed from 1GB & 4GB to 1.25 & 5GB respectively.Then a few days ago I needed to renew my $4 data pack and when I did so I got a surprise - 500MB data plus a bonus 500MB data. Then I got a text thanking me for renewing my data pack and telling me that I'd received a bonus 100MB data. I don't know what I'll do with all this data, but I am going on holiday January/February and will take my 10.5" WiFi tablet as well as my phone - with some WiFi hotspot tablet to phone connections, I'll use more data than usual.It seems to me that I'm getting quite a lot for my money right now. I'm paying $4 per 31 days for data plus 2c when I send a text (I send 10-40 texts per month) and 6c per minute on voice calls (I make 0 to 10 minutes of voice calls per month, mostly 0 minutes). So I can access my EMail as I want to, read the nzherald, use Trip Advisor, use Google Maps or Waze, use Plugshare, etc. I've averaged less than $5 per month since I joined over a year ago, seriously, I've spent less than $60 over the last year with WM.Has anyone seen any advertising over this bonus data? It isn't until I click to add a data pack that I see that there is 1000MB until 14 January, it still says 500MB for $4 when you are just looking at the page. My next two data packs will be before 14 January, so I'll end up with a lot of data rolled over when I start my holiday near the end of January.
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Best wireless provider (Carterton area)
Hi AllMy parents have recently moved house into a rural area just outside of Carterton,My Dad is looking for a wireless provider as they want to be able to watch streaming services on there tv, they have no copper or fibre connection. They would probably use less than 100gb a month easy. Anyone have a provider they use and like? Also that wouldnt break the bank? Around $80ish?
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70MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band acquired for "network extension services"
According to Computerworld NZUK based company Dense Air - a subsidiary of US based small cell manufacturer Airspan Networks - has acquired 70MHz of spectrum in the 2.5GHz band (used by mobile networks) and has announced plans to offer network extension services to existing NZ mobile operators using small cell technology.Dense Air has acquired its spectrum rights from two existing owners Blue Reach and Cayman Wireless and says it these will enable it to start its operations almost immediatelyhttps://www.computerworld.co.nz/article/649939/dense-air-wants-expand-nz-cellular-networks-small-cellsSo which 4G/5G bands would this correspond to?Are there phones in NZ that are ready to use these bands? A few / lots / most / almost all? (Edit to make URL work)
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VoLTE in NZ
Does any know if NZ will ever get VoLTE? And why it's taking so long?
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Trump wants to build a government owned 5G network in the USA
It sounds almost exactly like the 5G network proposal that Chorus floated in NZ. Main reason given is national security.https://www.axios.com/trump-team-debates-nationalizing-5g-network-f1e92a49-60f2-4e3e-acd4-f3eb03d910ff.html Mod Edit MM: Fixed hyperlink
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Spark told it cant use Huawei tech in 5G network due to national security risks
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108940155/gcsb-declines-huawei-proposal? The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) has declined Spark's proposal to use Huawei 5G equipment in its 5G network.Spark recently notified the director-general of the spy agency, as it is required by law to do, of its planned approach to implementing 5G technology on its mobile network.The plan involved the deployment of Huawei 5G equipment in Spark's planned 5G radio access network (RAN), which involves technology associated with cell tower infrastructure.Spark said it had been informed on Wednesday that the director-general considered that the plan would raise "significant national security risks". This means Spark cannot implement its proposal.Spark said it would review the reasoning behind the decision and consider what further steps it could take."While we are disappointed with this decision, we are confident that the decision will not affect our plans to launch Spark's 5G network by July 1,2020, subject to the necessary spectrum being made available by the New Zealand Government."Huawei's links to the Chinese Communist Party and the business environment in China, where even private companies have strong Government connections, has led to Huawei being considered a security threat.Australia and the United States have blocked the firm from supplying 5G equipment for security reasons.Earlier, 2degrees warned that Kiwis can expect to pay more for mobile services if Chinese giant Huawei is barred from selling 5G telecommunications equipment to New Zealand.Spark warned a ban would also impact its costs.
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Future for 3G UMTS data?
The company I work for has a large number of modems in remote locations in NZ and Australia, connecting to the internet on 3G UMTS.Recently we had an email from Telstra advising of the pending closure of their 3G service in B1 2100MHz. https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/t5/News-Feed/Additional-information-about-the-2100-MHz-layer-of-our-3G-mobile/ba-p/780699They do say that service on 850MHz will continue "for a number of years" but it raises the question as to the longevity of 3G data both in Australia and NZ (and also world wide for that matter). If 3G data disappears altogether then we will be up for a very expensive modem upgrade programme ...Can any insiders here offer suggestions / predictions as to the future lifetime of 3G data?
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Anyone provide mobile data without CGNAT?
I've set up an IPSEC L2TP link so that I can get a remote LTE router VPNing back to another router so that the remote device can be logged into (damn you CGNAT, damn you to hell). This isn't the best solution I was hoping for ... is anyone providing a private IP on mobile data? Would prefer to be hosting the VPN at the remote device to remove the need for the remote device to be always connected back home.Ps, using the Mikrotik LtAP.It's possible to create a script that initiates the VPN connection when sent a specific SMS message to save it being connected 24/7 but don't want to be adding more steps.Vodafone used to offer a direct.vodafone.net.nz apn but don't think this works. There's these threads but times have changed.
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Rain fade and B315 settings
My 4G RBI connection sometimes varies a lot. Right now it has absolutely plummeted. At the moment I mainly attribute this to the weather, as we have been under a constant rain dump for the last two days. Today has been the worst I have ever experienced, less than 1 Mbps down and pings as much as nearly 400 ms (usually around 50-60 ms). It occurred to me that 3G might do better under these conditions so I decided to give it a try. It didn't really seem to make much difference but it did make me wonder about something. On the Huawei there are only three network settings, LTE Preferred, 4G, and 3G. I understand 3G but I wonder what the difference is between LTE Preferred and 4G. I have two antennas but they are not in LTE configuration. Both are vertically oriented, pointed the same way. When I set them up this gave me the best result. When I tilted the antennas at 45 degrees my speeds dropped regardless of how I positioned them.So what difference does the Huawei see between LTE and 4G?
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Wireless RBI & VPN. Help needed please.
Hi all, l am not a complete tech newbie but this issue is doing my head in. I live in Central Southland and use NetSpeed RBI as my wireless broadband provider. We are way to far from anywhere to ever have a hope of getting connected to fibre. I also have our home/small biz phone on the same connection. Broadband speed is actually pretty good and will be fine for my streaming needs.My setup is as follows:Standard Huawei 315 router.Wireless Network utilising Netgear Orbi AC3000 Mesh Booster.4 to 5 mobile phones:1 to 2 laptops:1 to 2 TVs:Network printer:All connecting ocassionally to my network.I want to use a VPN to connect to overseas sites e.g. Netflix, but l want to shield all devices inside my network.Ideally l would put the VPN on the Huawei but the 315 doesn't support that. It seems like l might be able to use a VPN on the Orbi but this looks pretty complex.I have had it suggested to me to get a specialised VPN enabled router to run inside the Huawei but this is surely an overly complex & expensive solution. Also a static IP would be just another ongoing cost.Is it possible to purchase & receive RBI wireless on a router other than those currently approved? That too would obviosly be another expense!So has anyone please got any ideas about what might be the best solution for me? Is anyone out there running a network like mine? How does it work?Thanks in advance and Merry Christmas to all.Cheers Dave
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Does the Cel-Fi PRO for Spark Actually Work?
Hi I've been looking through all the threads to see if anyone actually has one of these Cel-Fi PRO to boost a Spark signal.We get one bar if you stand upstairs on one leg and hold your tongue right, at our house.My wife and I both work for large companies, who use Spark, so there's no option for us to move to another provider.I spoke to Spark and had an extremely frustrating conversation, where Mary Jane basically said, "we can't help, go and google one, but it will probably be illegal"I asked specifically about the Cell-Fi booster (as one of the threads here said it was the only legal option) and the response was the generic, "we don't support any boosters".So a couple of questions....1. Are these things actually legal if you buy them from Cell-Fi (The website looks dodgey as, and it smacks of a marketing gimmick)?2. Do they work? Your input would be greatly appreciated before I drop $1,500 on one of these. Thanks Ben
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