pom4gud

Hi,

I wonder if I could get some advice about good mobile phone services?

My in-laws have moved to a rural part of Northland to look after a sick relative, they are in the sleep-out so don't have internet connection, and Mum-in-law's current (probably wind up handset) mobile doesn't get a signal.

We are missing being in that constant text and email contact, and thought we might buy them a decent smart phone so we can put things like whats app, skype , and email on her handset.

The equivalent sort of thing we would do over here is get a contract with 4G, a decent amount of data and a reasonable handset - but not sure where to start looking for them over there from over in the UK. We are hoping to get it set up over there and pay the bill for the from our NZ account, but want something that is going to be a set contract each month so we know what it is costing us.

Does any one have any good recommendations for a handset and contract that they use for multimedia?

Many thanks

MrsFychan

you need to find out what provider covers that area, no point getting a good phone if you can't get any network cover.

Bo-Jangles

I would expect either Spark (AKA Telecom) or Vodafone would have best rural coverage:

Spark Free 4G Network Coverage | Are you 4G Ready?

Find the best 4G, 3G and 2G coverage for your location - Vodafone NZ

Other lower budget options that use the same networks

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/coverage/

https://www.skinny.co.nz/coverage/

pom4gud

thanks, not sure which network, tried to look but not obvious, they need coverage between Poroti, whangarei and one tree point

LittleGreyCat

Question nobody has so far asked.

What network are they on now?

jmh

BJ has linked to the right places re coverage. Skinny gives better rates but it is prepay not contract.

Re 4G phone, I did a lot of homework on getting a new phone and the Samsung S7 had all the right bandwidths available in NZ. I think the iphone did too but it cost a lot more.

Damson

I'd suggest they speak to neighbours to find out the best network provider in that area. According to their website Vodafone is the best for our area, but we are now leaving them as it's so poor.

Bo-Jangles

That`s a pretty wide spread to East and West of Whangarei, obviously the further out of Whangarei they are the worse it will be and will be variable depending what else is nearby. They might have to play about a bit to find out where is the best reception and it may be that they need to stand on one leg and lean out of the landing window on days when the wind is blowing in the right direction.

Kotare

We are further North (Kerikeri) and in the sticks, so had to go with rural wireless from Vodafone which made the eyes water a bit ($85 a month unlimited) but it is 4g giving download speeds of 20Mbs/sec - better than I ever had in Europe.

Need to be careful as reception can be down to which side of a hill you live on eg we can't get Spark on our phones at home.

jmh

Check out Skinny's newish broadband service: https://www.skinny.co.nz/broadband/

I believe you can top it up if needed.

Justcol

I got a vodafone 150 bucks 5 inch screen jobbie
does calls, texts, whatsapp, FB, messenger, skype, emails, t'internet, opens every kind of attachment,
35 bucks a month on a no contract contract (month by month). . . happy days