New Zealand's Broadband Rates example essay topic

'Research shows that we have high internet fees for the developed world. ' - Mr. Harries (research scientist) The broadband growth index ranks 35 countries from around the world and puts New Zealand's broadband growth rate at 40%. New Zealand is ranked third lowest just ahead of the Czech Republic and Latvia. At the end of 2002, only 1.74 New Zealanders per 100 are users of broadband services. New Zealand has one of the lowest growth rates and one of the lowest levels of broadband penetration in the world. I had put up a poll on forums. pc world. co. nz and the results were: 4.88% people said that broadband in New Zealand is cheap and 95.12% said it was expensive.

Obviously, the majority of people who did the poll said that broadband in New Zealand is expensive. Personally, I think the prices for the speed are ok but the data caps are pathetic - IT IS RUINING THE MARKET. For people who do not know what a data cap is, it is the limit of how much data you are allowed to use each month. The reasons why people use broadband is because it is faster than dial-up and is cheaper than getting two phone lines. Heavy broadband users are usually gamers or heavy down loader's. Almost all heavy broadband users download games, music and / or videos.

I'm not a heavy down loader or serious gamer therefore I am not in desperate need of broadband. I will still prefer broadband because some overseas pages take. I found out the reason why most people are still on dial-up internet are because most people think broadband is too expensive or they do not require broadband. Some people say they do not have broadband because Telecom will not upgrade their phone lines. I am still using dial-up internet because I thing the broadband rates are too high. Most users say that broadband in other countries are better than New Zealand's.

Someone posted a message on the forums that 'ADSL (broadband) in New Zealand is very expensive... The speed of the 3 GB plan is just not right. I could have it as 6 mp /'s and maybe get a PS 2 as well too with that package in Hong Kong. ' A research scientist also said 'Jetstream is expensive and this is not an opinion, it is a fact. ' I reckon that New Zealand's broadband rates are too high if you compare it with Japan.

In New Zealand, it costs around $50 for 256 kb /'s with a cap of 3 GB. In Japan, you can get 26 mb /'s (2600 kb /'s ) with no data cap for only NZD $50.00 per month. Many people that still use dial-up would definitely switch to broadband or upgrade to a better plan if the prices were lower. They should at least increase the data caps. Personally, if the broadband was cheaper, it would allow our friends and families to switch from dial-up to broadband or move to a faster plan. They just can not see the benefit of moving to broadband when they perceive it as being too expensive for not a lot in return.

Broadband providers can change people's minds on broadband with advertisements and promotions. Telecom was offering a free ADSL modem and free connection to people who sign up with Xtra (Telecoms Internet Company) Jetstream with a 12 month contract. Other companies were also doing this e.g. I hug and World Net. I thought this was a very good offer when I first saw this ad but when I had a look at their data plans, I didn't think they were very good.

I rather buy the ADSL modem and get a good data plan than get a free modem with rip-off plans. There were a lot of suggestions from people who live in New Zealand on how to improve the current state of broadband in New Zealand. Most people suggested increasing the amount of capped data or even better, no capped data. My research show that most people in New Zealand think broadband is expensive for what you get. Many people just can not see the benefit of broadband if they cannot get it. I think Telecom should start thinking about the future in terms of communication.

They started doing 3 G, why not do the home lines first? I am beginning to think that 3 G is really here because Vodafone is annoying them in terms or improving technology.