New Zealand coverage

wco81 · **New Zealand coverage -** 31-03-2015, 19:31

I see Vodaphone and Spark are suppose to have the best networks, according to Prepaidwikia, with both carriers having started to roll out 4G.

They all show coverage in the major cities and tourist destinations but how are they generally in less populated areas?

In researching itineraries on the South Island, there are often long drives, 3-5 hours between destinations. As I would be interested in using data for GPS and maybe also to check email and look up things, I'd like to have as much coverage in between the bigger or more well known towns.

kiwisteve · **4G in NZ -** 27-11-2015, 04:16

We are rolling out 700 4G LTE to the rural areas and a mix of 700 and 1800 lte to the Metro areas . All three networks have reasonable coverage maps via their websites SPARK VODAFONE and 2DEGREES

I run a Samsung J1 on 700 MHz and a Vodafone 890 N on 1800
have had in excess of 100 megabit on speedtest.net

Al networks have data add on bundles some rollover for up to 12 months
depending on the add on

cheers
Steve

wco81 · 27-11-2015, 05:06

After doing some research, I found out that many hotels in even the big cities don't offer free Internet.

So I'm leaning towards Spark since it includes wifi at some pay phones in the cities in addition to comparable data bundles.

Also just ordered an iPad Air 2 which offers more LTE bands than the iPad mini 2which I've been using on my trips.

Also believe NZ may use some unusual 3G bands as well.

kiwisteve · **NZ -** 27-11-2015, 07:08

I don't stay in NZ Hotels so cant comment on free internet .
If I stay somewhere without fibre or VDSL I tend to use my bundled data .
As for frequencies pretty standard really except for Spark / Skinny
which has 3G on 850 MHz

Vodafone 2g 900Mhz a little 1800mhz in early days
3g 900mhz ( extended ) and 2100mhz
4g 700mhz ( extended ) 1800 and 2600mhz
2 Degrees 2g 900mhz
3g 900mhz ( extended ) 2100mhz
4g 1800 MHz
Spark
Skinny 3g 850mhz / 2100mhz
4g 700mhz ( extended ) 1800Mhz

If you want to use the Spark Network for Data Skinny has some good bundled add ons
I used the Spark Wifi a few times was disappointed in the speed !

wco81 · 27-11-2015, 07:35

Yeah I don't now if I will count on the Spark Wifi or not. There aren't as many Wifi spots in even the bigger cities as one might suspect. Seems they didn't convert all the public phones to Wifi hotspots.

Instead, I'm contemplating buying a 5 GB bundle for around 80 NZD, IIRC and then using it if the hotel wifi is inadequate.

Then renew if necessary, during my 21-day trip.

Just hope that the US dollar stays high relative to the NZD through February.

kiwisteve · 27-11-2015, 07:42

Skinny as a promo at the moment for new activations . If you go on the $16 combo sms data calls etc
you get a bonus 1 gig of data each month for 3 months

wco81 · 04-02-2016, 08:29

Arrived late into Wellington airport and in the baggage claims area was a Verizon kiosk so I bought the 5GB bundle with the nano sim for 85 NZD.

Right smack in the middle of Wellington cbd, no LTE. Went into a Verizon shop in town and they said they didn't know. They tried swapping the Sim and no difference.

3G speeds are around 9 Mpps.

They said maybe because I was trying a non NZ iPad but iPad Air 2 is shown to support most of the LTE bands in Europe, Asia including Oceania as well as North America.

Bummed. If I need more, I'm gonna give Spark a try.

kiwisteve · 08-02-2016, 10:22

You will need the Asia Pacific version of phone for 700 / 1800 LTE in NZ

wco81 · 08-02-2016, 10:37

http://www.apple.com/ipad/LTE/

My iPhone 6s Plus gets Vodaphone LTE in Wellington and Nelson using a USA t mobile sim.

wco81 · 10-02-2016, 07:48

Went to a mall in Chistchurch which has both Spark and Vodaphone stores.

First, the Vodaphone store tried and still couldn't get LTE or 4g on my iPad Air 2.

Then I went to the Spark store, told them my concerns about getting LTE or 4g. The sales clerk took the sim out of her iPhone 5, where it displayed 4g and it showed LTE on my iPad Air 2.

Only thing is, they didn't have a trio SIM with no data for $5. Instead all they had was the $29 sim with 1.5 GB. And then I could add data bundles. So I bought the $29 sim even though it wasn't as good a rate as buying the $5 sim and adding a $50 or $90 bundle.

One of the places I stayed in only had Zenbu with 100 MB bundles so I want to have mobile data as a backup.

The next day I went to a different Spark store. They did have the $5 trio sim but they would not exchange or credit the $29 sim I had bought at the other Spark store. They claim no returns, unless the first store was willing to refund my money. I had the receipt and I didn't open it at all.

First, maybe not all Spark stores are owned by Spark? Second, I can't believe there is no return policy for unopened items. Is it specific to Spark? Is it a general policy in NZ?

I remember on a tour I went in Wellington the guide said the city is offering free wifi for 30 minute sessions in many public areas -- as many cities around the world were doing.

He said Wellington wants to become a tech hub for the region.

But their telecom infrastructure could be more competitive. It would be nice if there was a third mobile network, so these mobile cos. Had more competitive prices and more consumer friendly attitude.

And then there is the inadequate wired service at travel lodgings. Daily limits and slow speeds. At least Zenbu seems to be on the way to becoming more rare.

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	(#1)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	New Zealand coverage - 31-03-2015, 19:31 I see Vodaphone and Spark are suppose to have the best networks, according to Prepaidwikia, with both carriers having started to roll out 4G. They all show coverage in the major cities and tourist destinations but how are they generally in less populated areas? In researching itineraries on the South Island, there are often long drives, 3-5 hours between destinations. As I would be interested in using data for GPS and maybe also to check email and look up things, I'd like to have as much coverage in between the bigger or more well known towns.

	(#2)
kiwisteve (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 526 Join Date: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Aotearoa / New Zealand Country:	4G in NZ - 27-11-2015, 04:16 We are rolling out 700 4G LTE to the rural areas and a mix of 700 and 1800 lte to the Metro areas . All three networks have reasonable coverage maps via their websites SPARK VODAFONE and 2DEGREES I run a Samsung J1 on 700 MHz and a Vodafone 890 N on 1800 have had in excess of 100 megabit on speedtest.net Al networks have data add on bundles some rollover for up to 12 months depending on the add on cheers Steve Prepaid Sims Spark NZ, Skinny , 2 Degrees , Vodafone NZ and Australia, EE UK , Travel Sim , Plus Poland Phones: GSM: Nokia 5110 , 6110 , 6310i , UMTS - LG P970 ZTE R54 Galaxy Mini Samsung GTE3210 LTE 4G / 700Mhz Samsung J1 and J 2 LTE 4G / 1800 Vodafone 890N . Samsung Tablet CDMA: Nokia 6385 ( now dead ) TDMA / AMPS Nokia 6120 ( all dead ) SMS contact and Tests +64 20 4577475

	(#3)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	27-11-2015, 05:06 After doing some research, I found out that many hotels in even the big cities don't offer free Internet. So I'm leaning towards Spark since it includes wifi at some pay phones in the cities in addition to comparable data bundles. Also just ordered an iPad Air 2 which offers more LTE bands than the iPad mini 2which I've been using on my trips. Also believe NZ may use some unusual 3G bands as well.

	(#4)
kiwisteve (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 526 Join Date: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Aotearoa / New Zealand Country:	NZ - 27-11-2015, 07:08 I don't stay in NZ Hotels so cant comment on free internet . If I stay somewhere without fibre or VDSL I tend to use my bundled data . As for frequencies pretty standard really except for Spark / Skinny which has 3G on 850 MHz Vodafone 2g 900Mhz a little 1800mhz in early days 3g 900mhz ( extended ) and 2100mhz 4g 700mhz ( extended ) 1800 and 2600mhz 2 Degrees 2g 900mhz 3g 900mhz ( extended ) 2100mhz 4g 1800 MHz Spark Skinny 3g 850mhz / 2100mhz 4g 700mhz ( extended ) 1800Mhz If you want to use the Spark Network for Data Skinny has some good bundled add ons I used the Spark Wifi a few times was disappointed in the speed ! Prepaid Sims Spark NZ, Skinny , 2 Degrees , Vodafone NZ and Australia, EE UK , Travel Sim , Plus Poland Phones: GSM: Nokia 5110 , 6110 , 6310i , UMTS - LG P970 ZTE R54 Galaxy Mini Samsung GTE3210 LTE 4G / 700Mhz Samsung J1 and J 2 LTE 4G / 1800 Vodafone 890N . Samsung Tablet CDMA: Nokia 6385 ( now dead ) TDMA / AMPS Nokia 6120 ( all dead ) SMS contact and Tests +64 20 4577475

	(#5)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	27-11-2015, 07:35 Yeah I don't now if I will count on the Spark Wifi or not. There aren't as many Wifi spots in even the bigger cities as one might suspect. Seems they didn't convert all the public phones to Wifi hotspots. Instead, I'm contemplating buying a 5 GB bundle for around 80 NZD, IIRC and then using it if the hotel wifi is inadequate. Then renew if necessary, during my 21-day trip. Just hope that the US dollar stays high relative to the NZD through February.

	(#6)
kiwisteve (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 526 Join Date: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Aotearoa / New Zealand Country:	27-11-2015, 07:42 Skinny as a promo at the moment for new activations . If you go on the $16 combo sms data calls etc you get a bonus 1 gig of data each month for 3 months Prepaid Sims Spark NZ, Skinny , 2 Degrees , Vodafone NZ and Australia, EE UK , Travel Sim , Plus Poland Phones: GSM: Nokia 5110 , 6110 , 6310i , UMTS - LG P970 ZTE R54 Galaxy Mini Samsung GTE3210 LTE 4G / 700Mhz Samsung J1 and J 2 LTE 4G / 1800 Vodafone 890N . Samsung Tablet CDMA: Nokia 6385 ( now dead ) TDMA / AMPS Nokia 6120 ( all dead ) SMS contact and Tests +64 20 4577475

	(#7)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	04-02-2016, 08:29 Arrived late into Wellington airport and in the baggage claims area was a Verizon kiosk so I bought the 5GB bundle with the nano sim for 85 NZD. Right smack in the middle of Wellington cbd, no LTE. Went into a Verizon shop in town and they said they didn't know. They tried swapping the Sim and no difference. 3G speeds are around 9 Mpps. They said maybe because I was trying a non NZ iPad but iPad Air 2 is shown to support most of the LTE bands in Europe, Asia including Oceania as well as North America. Bummed. If I need more, I'm gonna give Spark a try.

	(#8)
kiwisteve (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 526 Join Date: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Aotearoa / New Zealand Country:	08-02-2016, 10:22 You will need the Asia Pacific version of phone for 700 / 1800 LTE in NZ Prepaid Sims Spark NZ, Skinny , 2 Degrees , Vodafone NZ and Australia, EE UK , Travel Sim , Plus Poland Phones: GSM: Nokia 5110 , 6110 , 6310i , UMTS - LG P970 ZTE R54 Galaxy Mini Samsung GTE3210 LTE 4G / 700Mhz Samsung J1 and J 2 LTE 4G / 1800 Vodafone 890N . Samsung Tablet CDMA: Nokia 6385 ( now dead ) TDMA / AMPS Nokia 6120 ( all dead ) SMS contact and Tests +64 20 4577475

	(#9)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	08-02-2016, 10:37 http://www.apple.com/ipad/LTE/ My iPhone 6s Plus gets Vodaphone LTE in Wellington and Nelson using a USA t mobile sim.

	(#10)
wco81 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 304 Join Date: 17 Jun 2007 Country:	10-02-2016, 07:48 Went to a mall in Chistchurch which has both Spark and Vodaphone stores. First, the Vodaphone store tried and still couldn't get LTE or 4g on my iPad Air 2. Then I went to the Spark store, told them my concerns about getting LTE or 4g. The sales clerk took the sim out of her iPhone 5, where it displayed 4g and it showed LTE on my iPad Air 2. Only thing is, they didn't have a trio SIM with no data for $5. Instead all they had was the $29 sim with 1.5 GB. And then I could add data bundles. So I bought the $29 sim even though it wasn't as good a rate as buying the $5 sim and adding a $50 or $90 bundle. One of the places I stayed in only had Zenbu with 100 MB bundles so I want to have mobile data as a backup. The next day I went to a different Spark store. They did have the $5 trio sim but they would not exchange or credit the $29 sim I had bought at the other Spark store. They claim no returns, unless the first store was willing to refund my money. I had the receipt and I didn't open it at all. First, maybe not all Spark stores are owned by Spark? Second, I can't believe there is no return policy for unopened items. Is it specific to Spark? Is it a general policy in NZ? I remember on a tour I went in Wellington the guide said the city is offering free wifi for 30 minute sessions in many public areas -- as many cities around the world were doing. He said Wellington wants to become a tech hub for the region. But their telecom infrastructure could be more competitive. It would be nice if there was a third mobile network, so these mobile cos. Had more competitive prices and more consumer friendly attitude. And then there is the inadequate wired service at travel lodgings. Daily limits and slow speeds. At least Zenbu seems to be on the way to becoming more rare.