Help with Rural Broadband
In this article
Can I get Rural Broadband?
If you live or work in a rural community, or in a remote part of our beautiful country and your area has yet to receive Fibre broadband, Rural Broadband may be your ticket to no-fuss wireless broadband and mobile calling.
What is Rural Broadband?
We’re proud to be members of the Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) – a joint venture hooking up rural Kiwis with broadband to connect them with everyday online services. Working closely with government and ‘the other guys’, we’ve helped to install fancy mobile cell towers in rural areas to connect internet and mobile black spots across the country.
In the next few years, we’ll help roll out more mobile towers which will significantly boost New Zealand’s broadband and mobile coverage.
Rural Broadband is delivered over our 4G network– beaming internet straight to the barn door. There are no technicians or copper cables and you can be set up in no time.
How does Rural Broadband work?
Rural Broadband is broadband delivered over the 4G mobile network instead of via Fibre or the old-fashioned copper cables in the ground. The signal is beamed from the RCG mobile towers straight to the modem using 4G technology. With the special 4G-enabled modem we provide, you can then share this connection over WiFi with your devices. This means you should get a ready-to-go broadband connection without the need for any complex installations or technician visits. This also means we do not offer a landline with Rural Broadband. For calls, you’ll have to use your smartphone.
It’s not all about home broadband
The cell towers dotted around the countryside do more than just provide home broadband. You can get 2degrees 4G mobile data coverage on your phone if you’re in a rural broadband coverage area. So, you can keep Whatsapp-ing and Instagram-ing, even when you’re out in the sticks, and you can stream your favourite podcast from your 4G-capable phone even if you’re on the tractor.
Which mobile phones are compatible with rural 4G or HD Mobile Calling?
Everyone with a 4G or HD Mobile Calling capable mobile phone will get 4G data coverage in rural 4G areas. Check to see if your phone is ready to enjoy High Definition Mobile Calling.
I’ve just received Rural Broadband and it’s not working for me
Let’s face it, living rural can mean there’s going to be the odd occasion where valleys, pine plantations or other scenic features means 4G broadband can’t reach your home. Don’t worry, we’ve got a 30-day risk-free guarantee for Rural Broadband, so if it just doesn’t work at your place, we’ll cancel it for you and give you a refund. If you’ve rented a modem from us, you’ll just need to return it to us. We’ll talk you through the process when you call 0800 022 011.
Will Rural Broadband work with monitored medical and security alarms?
If you have a monitored alarm, you should check with your alarm provider if your home or business set-up is compatible with 4G broadband. You may be able to get an upgrade or reset your system, but it’s best to get in touch with your provider so they can advise what may be required and any additional costs before signing up.
What happens to my Rural Broadband if the power goes out?
The Rural Broadband modem uses mains power to operate, so if power isn’t available (like during a power outage), the broadband service and any other services which run on power won’t work. For this reason, we recommend having a fully charged mobile phone handy.
I’ve run out of Rural Broadband data
If you’ve got the data munchies and chew through your data, we won’t leave you hanging. Of course, when you do hit your data limit, we’ll first have to pump the brakes to make sure you don’t go over. After that, you’ll have the option to buy an additional data pack of 50GB for $35. You can do this directly via My 2degrees. The link to log in can be found in your latest bill.
Rural Broadband modem troubleshooting
- If you need help downloading the guide for your Rural Broadband modem, you can find them at the links below. To find out which modem you have, check the back or bottom of your modem for the specific model number:
- If things are not working as they should, please start by visiting our service status page first to make sure there are no known issues in your area. Rural Broadband is beamed to you over 4G, so check the ‘Mobile and Wireless Broadband network’ section.
- If you need help with any additional settings, browse through our modem guides. In these guides, you’ll find tips on a range of topics such as:
- How to change your WiFI name and password. We recommend doing this after setting up your Rural Broadband modem for the first time.
- Help with figuring out what the lights on your modem indicate
- Simple troubleshooting tips if your Rural Broadband modem can’t access the internet
Things you need to know
- 2degrees 4G Rural Broadband coverage is not available everywhere and speeds vary
- Service only applicable at the service address specified at sign up
- A $15 modem delivery fee will be added to your first bill and is non-refundable
- We bill one month in advance
- Fair use policy applies
- Rural Broadband requires a power supply, so in the event of a power outage, your service won’t work. We recommend always keeping a charged mobile phone with a data plan handy.
- If you need help, get in touch with our customer care team at 0800 022 011 or visit your nearest store
- Rural Broadband Terms and Conditions apply
