Wireless Hotspots

[metro]

As those who live in Wellington will know there are plentry of wireless (internet) hotspots in the CBD area. Got my laptop two weeks ago and signed up to Cafenet buying paying $20.00 for 70 mbs. Nice! Still using my 70Mb quota.

Have noticed that some cafes are either a wireless hotspot for Cafenet (http://www.cafenet.co.nz/) or forTelecom (http://www.telecom.co.nz/content/0,3900,204163-1487,00.html) but not usually both. Starbucks cafes in particular are Telecom wireless hotspots. In one particular cafe I couldn't get Cafenet so I put $10.00 on my credit card and bought a Telecom prepaid voucher/token.

My $9.95 through Telecom bought me 1 hours time which was quickly used up. This was a prepaid token charged to my credit card. I had to remember a randomly generated 12 digit number (username) and a four digit pin number everytime I logged on. I thought what a hassle so I'll ring Telecom and sign up for a Xtra username, use that to sign in, and bill it to an account. Oh, they said an Xtra username will cost you $2.90 per month (in addition to the $9.95 per hour).

I have used less than half my quota that I puchased through Cafenet some two weeks ago. I sign in using my e-mail address and my normal ISP username (nice and easy to remember).

So...Cafeneet is obviously much much cheaper and more convenient than Telecom's WIFI service. Looks like I will only be drinking coffee in shops that are Cafenet hotspots.

Interesting...

[Paper Tiger]

Cafenet have more hotspots in Palmerston North than Telecom :)

[metro]

quote:Originally posted by Paper Tiger

Cafenet have more hotspots in Palmerston North than Telecom :)


How is this relevant PT? Do you live in P/North now? Or are you merely making an observation.

One good thing is you can used Cafenet at in some places at Massey University Wellington e.g. library, student services building

[Paper Tiger]

Terribly sorry metro, but there is life outside of Wellington you know.

[Base Trader]

The City of London is planning to cover over 90% of the Square Mile with WiFi coverage at minimal price - sponsored by the City of London Corp for 2007. Would be great to use VoIP for calls, find the Duck and Dog and check your hotmail account away from the office.

At present in the US and in Europe WiFi coverage is good but it is expensive.

[metro]

Pt: Since you live in P/North yes there are plenty of Cafenet hotspots but I note none at Turitea Campus (Massey University) which I frequently visit. Presumably Cafenet will expand to Turitea soon.

[Paper Tiger]

I have not come across fivo on my travels to Palmy or other places. A perusal of their website does not quote any prices, but they seem to work on connection time like the Evil One.
I find the CafeNet data limit approach is a lot better value for money.

[limegreen]

quote:Originally posted by metro
Looks like I will only be drinking coffee in shops that are Cafenet hotspots.


I'm surprised that you needed an excuse to avoid Starbucks. Or do you hold RBD?

[bobbro]

quote:Originally posted by Paper Tiger

I have not come across fivo on my travels to Palmy or other places. A perusal of their website does not quote any prices, but they seem to work on connection time like the Evil One.
I find the CafeNet data limit approach is a lot better value for money.


FIVO IS A RAPIDLY EXPANDING WIFI NETWORK AND WILL BE ROLLING OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. They are working on data and time concepts depending on the preference of the user, you can buy time or data cap! They have developed a product that is going to have huge coverage and one should be able to access wi-fi internet is most towns throughour NEW ZEALAND. Now wouldn't that be great.

The product is easy for the suppliers (cafe's and motels) to provide as all they do is plug in and the customers are happy. Very cost effective for all.

I think i got most of that right.

Would love to know your thoughts

[bobbro]

quote:Originally posted by bobbro

[quote]Originally posted by Paper Tiger

I have not come across fivo on my travels to Palmy or other places. A perusal of their website does not quote any prices, but they seem to work on connection time like the Evil One.
I find the CafeNet data limit approach is a lot better value for money.


Do you think wi-fi useage will increase significantly as I am seeing little use of it currently?@?!?!??#

[barnsley bill]

Fivo offers a very low cost entry for the premises/ cafe/ restaurant/pub/motel etc. The premises can set the price they charge to users and make more margin than any other solution I have seen. Plus, as well as being the most flexible solution for the premises the end user can roam to any other fivo hotspot.
They can set it up with a system for data useage or time useage or even a combination of both.
In addition the business is owned by a couple of kiwis and is not telecom!
I know the guys running it quite well, so if any posters are interested in setting up a hotspot (great for apartment blocks) message me and i will pass on the CEO's details so you can talk with him directly.

[Paper Tiger]

I have been running with the Vodafone 3G broadband product for a number of months, I was a trial customer, and $60 for 2GB of data, with good coverage suits me fine.

[pimpit]

there is too many people in Brisbane running no security wireless networks there is no need for me to pay for net access.

[barnsley bill]

quote:Originally posted by pimpit

there is too many people in Brisbane running no security wireless networks there is no need for me to pay for net access.


haha. Very similar in Auckland and particularly in Ponsonby.Now there is an opportunity for some enterprising net head. Locate (usually named when you open "view all wireless networks")networks and <s>scare</s>sell them into some security software..