[wellylug] broadband recommendations, etc

[Jonathan Harker]

Atom Smasher wrote:
> 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.

+1 more vote for TelstraClear cable.

>   * 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.

I usually try to avoid Skype. I haven't bothered yet but my brother in 
the UK just uses garden variety SIP client with this crowd - 
http://www.gradwell.com/voip/

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

Telstra bundle a land line if you need it.

>   * 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?

I use Meridian because they (say they) derive their generation capacity 
from only renewable sources.

J