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NZ sim card with data

Singapore, Singapore
Level Contributor
28 posts
NZ sim card with data
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Hi everyone,

I'll be leaving for my NZ trip next week and im so excited! Thank you everyone for your help especially with regards to planning the itinerary.

I would like to seek advice if there are any Pre-paid sim cards with data that i can use for an iPhone 4. We would like to have a mobile phone for calls to (hotels, activity providers) and for some casual surfing of the internet.

Thanks in advance!

Rdgs

Suan Siang

11. Re: NZ sim card with data

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Cairns
Level Contributor
41 posts
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
12. Re: NZ sim card with data
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I have just been through this exercise myself and it comes down to 2 providers - Telecom & 2 degrees.

They both offer the same bundle deal now. (note the link to the comparison article posted here is Nov 2012 - things have since changed).

I decided on Telecom, as they do have better coverage, despite 2 degrees being talked up a lot on here.

Telecom appear to have lifted their game to match 2 degrees in terms of value bundles, with the added bonus of better coverage outside metro areas.

Call into a Telecom NZ shop when you get there, pay $5 for a local SIM & ph number and then $19 value bundle will get 100mins talk, unlimited txt & 500mb of data - should be plenty for 2 weeks browsing interweb

http://www.telecom.co.nz/mobile/mobile/plansandpricing/prepaid/

Despite this, I just don't get why some still insist on 2 degrees when telecom offers the same deal now but with better coverage...?

13. Re: NZ sim card with data

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Cairns
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41 posts
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
14. Re: NZ sim card with data
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Fair enough Global Travels.

i wasn't directing comments at you, rather, the historical data that talks up 2 degrees so much on the forum.

Up until earlier this year, that was warranted, but Telecom have finally realised that 2 degrees were smashing them in this area 'and joined the party'

I, like the OP here, use the mobile when travelling primarily for data/web browsing, so coverage comes into play a bit more in this situation outside metro areas, and with Telecom now matching 2 degrees for value, the choice becomes clearer.

cheers

Melbourne, Australia
Level Contributor
32 posts
15. Re: NZ sim card with data
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yeah same here

UK
Level Contributor
39 posts
16. Re: NZ sim card with data
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I went with skinny mobile, got the $16 pack 90 mins, unlimited texts and 500mb data. Working well for me and had coverage everywhere so far, little spotty for a tiny bit of Christchurch to queenstown but I'd say had it 95% of the time.

Got the sim for $4 from new world and they had an offer on for $20 credit for $15 so got that as well.

The skinny website has a will my phone work checker but I'd ignore that, it said my phone wouldn't work but it's an international unlocked galaxy S3 so I knew it would, and it did work fine, can't get it to work in a Sony Ericsson w810 though, just says searching but that may be partly because I'm trying to balance a micro sim in a full size sim slot...

Melbourne, Australia
Level Contributor
161 posts
105 reviews
71 helpful votes
17. Re: NZ sim card with data
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Just wondering, is the only place you can get Telecom sim cards at their stores? It seems from their website that's the case. I'm driving straight from Christchurch airport to Methven and really don't want to go to a shopping center when I arrive in Christchurch. At the moment I'm leaning towards 2 degrees just because it seems more convenient to buy the sim even though I'd like the coverage of telecom.

victoria
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5 posts
2 reviews
6 helpful votes
18. Re: NZ sim card with data
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Yeah telecom NZ are definitely a much better provider to go for in terms of speed and coverage. You can also buy them online at dataGO.co before you head to NZ too

Singapore, Singapore
3 posts
2 reviews
19. Re: NZ sim card with data
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Hi guys, are we able to pick up either 2degrees or Telecom's prepaid sim card from the Christchurch airport.. I have been going thru the post and someone mentioned being able to pick up the 2 Degrees... just from any of the convenient stores? Thanks for any help..

Singapore, Singapore
Level Contributor
1 post
63 reviews
49 helpful votes
20. Re: NZ sim card with data
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I'm not sure if you can get the sim card and the top up card at Christchurch airport. However, you are likelyy to be able to get it from the Supermarket in Christchurch.

I had a tough time getting the sim card at Christchurch, and only managed to get from one of the petrol stations but not the top up card. Most of the convenience stores didn't carry the top up cards.

I know that Queenstown and Auckland iSite give out free sim card, I'm not sure if there's a similar practice in Christchurch but you may also check with them.

I went with 2Degrees as many reviews on TA said that it has good coverage. But do be prepared that there may be no coverage when travelling along the roads to the smaller towns eg from Mount Cook to Christchurch.

I liked the 2Degree plan as I could opt to purchase just mobile data. With 4 of us tapping on the mobile data, we finished up the 500mb quite quickly. So we could purchase either 500mb, 1GB or 3GB plans.

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