How to Get Temporary Broadband in NZ

Temporary broadband covers many types of broadband, including short-term and no-contract internet connection plans and mobile broadband. These offer a reliable and fast internet connection for a short period. It doesn't require a phone line or being locked into long-term contracts, making it ideal if you're a traveller, student, renter, or someone looking for flexibility.

Many providers in New Zealand offer temporary internet service deals, so you should know what each option offers and the disadvantages that come with it.

We're here to explain everything you need to know and provide you with helpful tips to have a seamless experience staying connected temporarily.

Temporary Broadband in New Zealand

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There are several ways to get temporary broadband in New Zealand. Among them are:

• Finding an internet service provider that offers short-term or no-contract broadband deals.
• Connecting to a public Wi-Fi network.
• Signing up with a carrier for a mobile broadband plan and using your portable device's mobile hotspot feature.

How to Get Temporary Broadband

While no-contract, short-term, and long-term broadband contracts are typically the first things that come to mind, they're not your only options. There are other ways to get a temporary broadband connection without signing up for a plan with an ISP. Here's a breakdown of each type:

Short-Term Contract and No-Contract Broadband Plans

Short-term contracts last from a few weeks to a few months. Their primary advantages are getting temporary, swiftly set-up Wi-Fi connections for short-term internet needs.

They can be a viable solution if you're on a vacation, business trip, or are staying in a location temporarily and looking to avoid the troubles of transferring broadband.

As for no-contract temporary broadband, it's a type of broadband connection deal that doesn't have a fixed term or duration.

You can pay your bills monthly and cancel at any time with short notice. This type of broadband is best if you're budget-conscious, a renter, or looking for flexibility. It's a way to stay connected without being locked into a specific contract term.

How to Get a Short-Term Contract or No-Contract Broadband Plan

Finding a provider that offers a shorter term than the usual 12 or 24 months or offers plans with no fixed terms is necessary. You can compare different broadband providers on our website to find which will satisfy you.

While looking for a provider, consider their coverage and the availability of their plan in your area. Choosing a suitable plan entails picking the internet speed and data allowance you need and assessing its costs in relation to your budget.

Installation and equipment fees are also a thing to consider since, unlike long-term contracts, you're less likely to receive discounts or free hardware. However, this depends on your ISP, and some may still offer free installation and other incentives.

You can buy plans online, by phone, or at your local ISP's office and arrange installation. You may also have to return the equipment you borrowed during a no-contract plan depending on your ISP's terms and conditions.

Mobile Broadband Plans

You can get a mobile broadband plan from your carrier. You receive a SIM card and a monthly data allowance to connect to the internet. How fast the connection you'll get and how much data you'll have depends on several factors, notably your carrier's quality, coverage, and signal strength.

These SIM cards are an essential part of mobile broadband plans. They go into your smartphone, internet sticks, or a Mi-Fi device (portable Wi-Fi routers that create a personal hotspot for other devices to connect to).

Mi-Fi devices can be expensive, though. The alternative is to turn on a mobile hotspot on your phone or tablet and share your cellular data with other devices.

You can also enable the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality on laptops and desktops while using a USB modem too. We suggest this method over sharing mobile data via Bluetooth or USB as they can be slower.

However, not all carriers support personal hotspots, and tethering will exhaust data rapidly, especially with activities that consume a lot of bandwidth.

Public Networks

Public Wi-Fi networks are an option if you want to access fast broadband internet connection to accomplish the occasional task. Your local coffee shops and libraries are good places to visit if you need to connect temporarily. The best part about them? It's spending your money on a cup of coffee or a meal instead of an expensive subscription.

However, there's a catch: public networks aren't encrypted or protected by a Wi-Fi password. So, use a VPN (virtual private network) whenever possible to protect your browsing data from hackers and shady third parties.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Types of Temporary Broadband

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Understanding the pros and cons of the different types of temporary broadband we highlighted is vital in making an informed choice. Here's what to look out for:

No-Contract Broadband Deals

These are some of the pros and cons of no-contract broadband deals:

Advantages

Flexibility

You can switch internet service providers and plans since you're not locked into a contract term. There aren't any high termination or cancellation penalties or fees. This makes it ideal if you need internet access as a traveller, student, or someone who moves often. You can also downgrade or upgrade your broadband plan freely.

Testing ISPs

No-contract deals allow you to test different internet service providers' services, support, costs, and Wi-Fi speeds without committing. This is ideal if you're unsure about the reliability and quality of providers in your area.

Competitive Pricing

Broadband providers compete to provide the cheapest deals to attract customers compared to mobile options. So, they can be more cost-effective than the alternatives.

Disadvantages

Steeper Monthly Costs

No-Contract broadband deals are usually more expensive than long-term ones. Expect higher per-month fees for the privilege of flexibility and lack of commitment.

Limited Services & Benefits

Providers allocate their resources to long-term clients, so you won't get as much support or benefits as you would long-term. You're likely not getting a free Wi-Fi router, discounts on hardware, or other additional features. You may also experience slower customer support.

Short-Term Contract Broadband

Among the advantages and disadvantages of short-term contract broadband are:

Advantages

Flexibility

Short-term contract broadband also offers flexibility if you have changing internet needs or are looking for a short-term solution. We recommend this plan type if you regularly move houses or are on a lengthy vacation.

Easy Set-Up

It's easier to install a broadband connection if it's short-term; it comes with simplified installation processes, minding that you likely need internet access immediately.

Disadvantages

Limited Availability

Some ISPs may offer less-than-generous speeds, data allowances, and coverage. They may not have short-term plans because long-term clients are more attractive to them.

Fewer Benefits

You'll likely get fewer benefits with a short-term contract when it comes to discounts, free routers, and line rentals.

Higher Costs

To cover your short tenure with them, ISPs may charge you higher monthly fees for flexibility and convenience, so consider your budget and choose a provider that suits your situation

You'll also still need to set up a broadband connection in your temporary location. That can incur extra costs, from buying a device to serve as an access point to installation fees.

Technical Issues

It might be difficult to troubleshoot your connection if you face technical difficulties and have trouble accessing the internet with a short-term plan, especially if it lasts a few weeks.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband has some notable pros and cons. They include:

Advantages

Easy Set-Up

Mobile broadband is incredibly easy to set up. You can enable tethering and connect multiple devices using available data immediately after putting a SIM card into your device of choice. It's best for occasional casual users and those in remote locations.

Convenient

Mobile broadband allows you to access the internet from anywhere you have a mobile signal, even in places where you'd face broadband access issues like rural and remote areas.

Flexible

You have various payment options and terms. You can pay monthly, as you go, or sign up for a short-term contract.

Disadvantages

Expensive

Mobile broadband can be much more pricey than other options, particularly when it comes to data allowances.

Instability

Your internet speed and stability can plummet in remote areas with poor mobile coverage.

Data Caps

Some carriers will limit the amount of data you can use or reduce your speed after a certain threshold.

Public Networks

These are the pros and cons of public networks:

Advantages

Free

You can access almost any public Wi-Fi network for free. This convenience makes them ideal for getting some work done without spending money.

Widespread

Wi-Fi networks are everywhere you go in today's age. Using a Wi-Fi finder, you can spot an affordable coffee shop with a Wi-Fi connection in your vicinity.

Disadvantages

Risky

Security is a huge concern with public networks. They're not encrypted or password protected, which allows hackers to access your private information. Using a VPN can protect you from these instances.

Low Wi-Fi Speed

While it allows for internet access on the go, a public Wi-Fi network usually has limited speed that might not support your needs.

How to Choose The Best Temporary Broadband Plan

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Follow these tips to ensure an excellent experience with your future temporary broadband plan.

Assess Your Needs

Figure out how fast you need your internet connection to be; it's what mainly dictates the cost of your plan. Will you be gaming and streaming regularly or simply working out worksheets and surfing the web?

You need a 25 Mbps internet connection to stream 4K seamlessly. Usually, that translates to 3.1 Mb/s download speed.

Gaming benefits from download and upload speeds, so you'd want them as high as possible. With a high upload speed, you'll face fewer ping issues in competitive games, whereas a high download speed will enable you to download files and updates rapidly.

Prioritise high upload speeds if you're a content creator who constantly uploads videos and files. As for browsing the web, anything over 5 Mbps is sufficient. The average internet connection speed in New Zealand is around 14 Mbps, so anything higher than that is good.

Consider where, how much, and how often you need internet access. If you're an occasional internet user, investing in an internet stick may be better than signing up for a short-term plan.

Mobile broadband is a solution if you're often in remote or rural areas or on short vacations. However, contractual or non-contractual plans are better suited for longer vacations or temporary homes where you'll use the internet often and need unlimited data.

Compare Plans

There are countless internet service providers in New Zealand. Focus on contract type, monthly fees, internet speed, and data allowance. Be diligent and prioritise value and substance.

Read Reviews

Read customer reviews and personal experiences with various ISPs or carriers in New Zealand. Stray far from those with negative reviews and focus on customer support, benefits, incentives, and internet quality and stability.

How to Make The Most Out of Your Temporary Broadband Plan

Managing data is essential while on a temporary broadband plan. Some activities can exhaust mobile data rapidly, especially while tethering.

Unless you have unlimited data, try the following:

• Turn on mobile hotspots only when working.
• Avoid watching videos or streaming in HD+ qualities.
• Set data limits on your Wi-Fi hotspot devices.
• Monitor which devices use the most bandwidth.

Sign up with a carrier or provider that communicates well and swiftly comes to your aid whenever you have issues troubleshooting a problem. Some providers are less helpful towards no-contract and short-contract clients because they allocate their resources to long-term ones; you want to avoid those.

That said, other providers offer perks and incentives for temporary customers. You can still get free SIM cards, deliveries, installation, trial periods, etc. They may also allow you to pause your plan when you don't need it or reward you for transitioning to a long-term contract with them.

Wrapping Up

There are many ways to get temporary broadband in New Zealand. Your primary options are short-term contracts and no-contract broadband plans, but mobile broadband and public networks are also a solution if you can't find a suitable ISP in your area.

Assess your needs and compare different providers before signing up with one to ensure a smooth, hassle-free experience. Our website has everything else you'd need to make an informed decision, so check out our other posts!