By the end of the decade chorus will be shutting down the last of the copper lines around the country - which means if you're on ADSL/VDSL for internet now, you won't be in 5 years time. By and large either fibre or cellular-network-based internet provisions have taken over, with the majority of rural houses using either 4G receivers or Starlink. I won't go into my opinion of Elon Musk too much, save to say that he would be a great deal better off with oh, maybe 6-to-7 inches removed from the top of his head, but I have to admit his Starlink service is pretty good, and inasmuch as I don't like seeing the trails of satellites crossing the skies, it'll probably be his saving grace when he ends up in purgatory.
If you're not on ADSL/VDSL/Fibre/Starlink, you're dependent on the 4G network, which luckily isn't going anywhere anytime soon - unlike 3G and 2G. If you have a phone that only connects to 3G, you should be aware that all cellphone providers in New Zealand will have shut down their 3G networks by March next year, so, start looking for a new cellphone soon. Secondhand is fine, there's a glut in the market, but whatever you buy must support "4G LTE". I won't go into an explanation of that, I'm bored enough right now as it is. In addition One NZ (formerly known by the surprisingly less stupid name of vodafone) will also shut down their 2G network.
Some older iPads and other tablets also use 3G/2G, if you've got a SIM in them to connect to the internet while you're on-the-go. Look up your model's number on the net to see it's specs. Likewise there may be some remote farming equipment such as security systems, soil meters and suchforth which rely on the 3G/2G networks. Best to check. And then there's 5G - its coverage in NZ is largely limited to city areas, due to the comparatively short range of transmission. What's the advantage? Mainly faster speeds and capacity for greater numbers of users. It uses more power than 4G but is reasonably safe as the beams can't penetrate things like human skin (4G can).
In related news, I would be remiss to not mention that once again Microsoft has pulled the old switcheroo, stating that they will give another free year of updates to existing Windows 10 users after October, so long as you have Onedrive installed, a Microsoft account, and you allow them to synchronize your system settings with them (Settings > Accounts > Windows backup > Remember my app & preferences). Or alternatively pay them $50 (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Enroll now). It's these sorts of constantly-changing tactics and double-speak which make everyone distrust them. First Windows 10 was going to be their final OS (using a yearly subscription model), then they brought out Windows 11. If you're unsure if you're on Windows 11 already, the default location of the button with the Windows logo on it is in the middle of the screen by default (though you can change that), as opposed to the left for all previous versions of Windows. Just a reminder that despite what MS tells you, almost any machine built after 2012 can come up to Windows 11 with the right help from a techie. If you're already on 11 and finding it unfamiliar, there's a bunch of things I can do to make it act more like 10.
Everything gets outdated, huh? Certainly seems that way. Where's my abacus?
- written by Matt Bentley