◊ Is my computer good enough

◊ Charges

◊ Line of sight

◊ No coverage

◊ Installation

◊ Connection Term

◊ Shifting address

◊ Data usage

◊ What happens if I exceed my data cap

◊ Download speeds

◊ Change Plan

◊ What Is Broadband

◊ Security

◊ VoIP / Internet Telephony

◊ VPN Access

◊ Streaming Video/Audio

◊ Online Console Gaming

◊ Testimonials

Is my computer good enough
Yes – probably. You need to have an Ethernet network card installed in your computer or laptop. Most computers have that already.
Minimum requirements for running Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314865
Minimum requirements for running Windows VISTA: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/919183
Minimum requirements for running Windows 7: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/products/system-requirements
Please note that the minimum requirements only refer to running the operating system. To enjoy a good online experience you may have to install additional system memory. Please refer to your local computer dealer.
Using Apple Mac? No problem.

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Charges
There are charges to cover the installation and the monthly service charge.
The installation fee and charges for the first month are paid on installation.
After that the monthly service charge is paid by automatic payments, credit card or CRT.
Please refer to our Broadband Plans.

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Line of sight
In clear conditions you must have a clear, unobstructed view of our repeater site from the position on your house that the radio is installed. If there are buildings or trees in the way we will have trouble installing and
may need to try other options. Alternatives are setting up relay stations or laying cable for short distances outside. We usually find a way but there may be additional costs.
Please note that Scorch is not responsible for maintaining your line of sight.

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No coverage
Because Scorch Communications network is radio based, expanding the coverage is simply a matter of putting another dish on a hill somewhere. Talk to your neighbours. If we can get enough customers in an area be assured that we will expand our network.

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Installation
Involves travelling to your property, connecting a radio and dish to your house and cabling that to your computer.
Installation fee $399 incl GST (15%) under normal conditions, includes 25km radius travel from your region base.
Due to increased fuel costs, a small surcharge may apply depending on where you are located. Have a chat to us to find if this applies to you.

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Connection term
All plans are on 12 month contract term, which is renewable every year (Alternative term options available after first 12 months if required, have a chat to us).
Disconnection charges apply, depending on gear removal requirements and connection take-over options:

Disconnection within any one year contract period	$185.00
Disconnect at the end of term (requiring equipment removal)	$100.00
Disconnect at the end of term (not requiring equipment removal)	$25.00	(All GST 15% Inclusive)

If you are disconnecting within any one year contract period, but the connection is being taken-over then please have a chat to us as you may be eligible for reduced disconnection penalty!

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Shifting address
If you are shifting to an address that is still within the Scorch network coverage, we have to move the radio from the existing location to the new location. Contact us for a signal test. Installation fees apply.
If there is no coverage a disconnection fee may apply.

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Data usage
How much is 5GB?
1 million text-only emails, 1,000 three minute music files, or 41,500 web pages.
How much is 10GB?
2 million text-only emails, 2,000 three minute music files, or 83,500 web pages.

Some more guidelines:

Please also be aware of that file sharing applications like eg. LimeWire, Kazaa, P2P, torrents easily could escalate your data usage.

Your monthly data usage is metered from 1st of each month.
View our data usage policy here (pdf-file)

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What happens if I exceed my data cap
You will be notified by email when you reach 80% and 100% of your data allowance. If it occurs on a regular base you should consider adding extra monthly data cap.

Additional monthly data plans available in 5GB blocks at $10 /month per 5GB to a maximum of 30GB total. If you need additional data please have a chat to us.
For example: Upgrade to 10GB data cap – an extra $10.00/month, or 15GB data cap – an extra $20.00/month.

Excess usage charges: $0.05/MB
You will also be provided with log in details to check your usage.
Please note it is solely your responsibility to keep track of your usage.

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Stated speeds for your connection are the maximum speeds only and the actual service speed depends on a number of factors and thus we cannot guarantee you will achieve your maximum connection speed.

Please note that speed is given in bits per second and data download is in bytes per second.
It could be a bit confusing and it's easy to mix bits and bytes.
Please visit http://www.speedguide.net/conversion.php to learn more and convert bits to bytes:

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Change Plan
Just Contact Us and we will arrange that for you. Alternatively you can change your plan by clicking HERE

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What is broadband
By standard, broadband just means internet speeds equal to or faster than 256kbps. In this day and age, anything slower than 512kbps isn't realistic.

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Security
Please learn more about keeping your computer secure at
http://www.netsafe.org.nz/keeping_safe.php?sectionID=computers

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VoIP/Internet Telephony
VoIP is short for Voice over Internet Protocol or often referred as Internet Telephony.
In many cases, the performance of VoIP is acceptable; however, this depends on the expectation of you, the customer. If you are expecting the clarity and the reliably of a landline, then you might be disappointed. Most people enjoy the cost saving of VoIP, the convenience of not having to have a landline connected, and therefore can accept some disruption. The internet is not a stable highway, especially not in the rural areas of New Zealand, and as such, problems can occur from time to time. However, the mobile phone, now with improved coverage in many areas, can be an alternative if problems occur.
We can offer VOIP solutions through one of the many VOIP suppliers (such as Kiwilink, WXC or Italk).

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VPN Access
Can I use VPN over the Scorch network? Most definitely YES, however if you are having any issues please give the helpdesk a call as your connection may require a software update (free of charge of course) to allow the VPNs to work properly.
If you are not familiar with VPN, please contact your local or business technical support for your more information.

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Streaming Video/Audio
Streaming or receiving video (as in television) or audio (as in radio) over an internet connection in theory should be a seamless experience, however most internet users notice that the streaming content can appear not to play smoothly or “cuts in and out”. Most New Zealanders regardless of their chosen ISP experience this issue, which is symptomatic of the ability of the source of either; the desired content being unable to service the quantity of active user requests, or the general internet congestion at a national and international infrastructure level.
Most internet browsers displaying streamed content have a “progress indicator” in the form of a bar located below the viewable area, if you are experiencing problems just press the pause button in your browser windows media player and wait until the buffering is complete or gets a sufficient “head start” to allow continuous play.

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  Online Console Gaming
If you experience problems using Xbox Live or PlayStation online features, please contact the Scorch helpdesk for assistance.
There may be specific configuration requirements for the console and your connection to allow these features to work.

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Testimonials
"First of all, thank you SO much for setting up our internet access yesterday. The brilliant fast friendly service is the best we've ever had with an ISP, and we're hugely impressed and will definitely be recommending you to all our friends.
Especially helpful is the account information documents etc that were left behind. Its great to have these in hard copy form without having to wait on a help desk line, or being told to go to the website to find the details (which can often be difficult when the main issue is getting online!) We set up the wireless connection for the lap top and PS3 easily. I would like to think we're seasonally pc savvy, but having everything at your fingertips is excellent. So thank you, thank you.
Jodie - Canterbury

“We originally had 1 PC and the internet tied up the phone line. When other providers couldn’t supply us, SCORCH came to rescue. We now have 2 PCs running the internet and looking at a third.
Great for the kids school work, we couldn’t be happier.”
Karen – Swannanoa

“We went from using dialup to using a cell phone as a modem. Eekk $$$, but at least the land line was available. Still we had only one PC connected at a time. Now, thanks to Scorch, we have two computers and a laptop going,
all printing, sharing files and…….drum roll….all using the Internet at the same time. Five times faster than dial-up and the land line is still available. Thanks Scorch. I don’t’ know how you do it so well without the Project Probe subsidy.”
Scott – Greendale

“With the work I do, downloading the audio on dial-up could sometimes take all morning, and sometimes I would have to turn work down because it was going to take 6 hours to download. Now that I’m with Scorch the work is downloaded in no time at all. This also means I can now take on same day work because I can get on with it straightaway instead of twiddling my thumbs waiting, waiting, waiting”
Christine – Whitecliffs

Lorraine approached Scorch after she was told by other service providers that she would have to have a satellite installed and that it was her fault for living too far from town.
“Scorch communication became my life saver when needing to work from home”.
Lorraine – West Eyreton

"With dial up, this would mean starting a transfer and then going off to mow the lawn. Now I can do all
the transfers in a few minutes. When Scorch came on the scene I was an early adopter. Apart from some early teething troubles, I very rarely have any connectivity problems. I could not use the phone and Internet at the same time. I considered getting a second phone line but the costs are horrific.
Until Scorch came on the scene there were no viable broadband alternatives and I had to use dial-up. Even with a special rural modem I never got full dial-up speed."
Charles - Whitecliffs Valley

“I had ADSL from one of the major providers in NZ. It was almost as slow as dial-up. When we connected to Scorch it was like shifting from a Fiat to a Merc - without paying a fortune of course.”
Anya – Ohoka

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