NZ broadband is too expensive, and will get cheaper when unbundling kicks in during 2007. But meanwhile, don't look too longingly at much-publicised US and UK deals. Often the grass isn't that much greener once you get your nose close to the dirt. UK ex-pat Gordon Laing recently moved to NZ. Check out Gordon's full broadband diary in the August issue of NZ PC World as he sets up home in Queenstown and - cough - starts shopping around for a fat pipe. But one preview:

Gordon didn't find the much-touted 'free broadband forever' deal from new provider Talk Talk much cop. For starters, it was only available in densely-populated areas of London, and required but you’ll need to switch to Talk Talk's line rental at £11 per month and sign-up for a £9.99 per month calling plan. There’s also a £29.99 connection fee and minimum contract of 18 months.

State-side, Cnet recently surveyed DSL plans (which are typically around $10 a month cheaper than cable plans). Sure Verizon is offering a new $US14.95/month plan, but only with a lousy 768Kbit/s download speed. And while AT&T is offering a killer $US12.99/month deal, after the one-year promo period you get flipped onto a $US29/month plan, close to the average of $US32/month - which is pretty much bang-on where NZ is for DSL, if you strip out the phone line charge.