[wellylug] broadband recommendations, etc

[Atom Smasher]

i'm new to NZ and i'll soon be renting a house in hataitai. does anyone 
recommend (or recommend avoiding) any companies in particular for...

  * high speed internet
all i need is a connection to the net, and tech support that won't hang up 
on me if i say i'm not running windoze. cheap and reliable are the two 
key factors. i don't watch TV, and i won't need a phone if i have VOIP.

  * VOIP phone service
again, cheap and reliable are key. it would be nice if i could also get a 
US phone number, for incoming calls.

  * phone service (?)
do i have a choice? do i need it if i'm using VOIP on a cable modem?

  * electric/gas service
i was surprised to learn that i have a choice in service providers. i 
know, it's off topic, but do any of them stand out?

anything else that's good to know about hataitai? feel free to respond 
off-list if it's too far off topic.

thanks...


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