What is Zenbu Wireless?

Zenbu Wireless is a wireless internet system that allows anyone to cheaply and easily establish their own publicly accessible, yet secured and monitored Wireless Internet Zone. It's ideal for motels, hotels, backpackers and other accommodation providers, cafes, convention centres etc.

Anyone with a Wi-Fi capable device can access the internet at any Zenbu Wireless Internet Zone. Anyone with a broadband internet connection can easily set up their own Zenbu Wireless Zone and get paid when people use the internet at their place. Click here to setup your own Zenbu Wireless Zone now.

We have 92932 registered users, and 68 people are currently online.  We have 488 Zenbu Wireless (Wi-Fi) hotspots throughout New Zealand and the Cook Islands and 471 zones are currently online and operational.  A total of 24643297.07 MB has been transmitted over the Zenbu Wireless Network.

Zenbu Wireless is owned, operated and developed by Kiwis for Kiwis. We were sick of being ripped off by New Zealand's big telecom companies for services that we knew could be offered much more cheaply, simply, and sensibly so did something about it.

Zenbu Networks Limited, which operates the Zenbu Wireless Network, is a private company based in Auckland, New Zealand. Our contact details are available here.

Zenbu Wireless began in early 2006. After thorough testing of every aspect of the system, commercial service began in early 2007. We are really just getting underway, but with 488 Wi-Fi hotspots deployed Zenbu is already the most popular wireless internet system for New Zealand's accommodation providers.

Since early 2009 the Zenbu wireless system has been made available in the Cook Islands. You can use credit purchased in New Zealand while in the Cook Islands and vice versa, but please note that prices vary as indicated. In the Cook Islands the default price for accessing the internet is NZ$0.30 (30 cents) per megabyte (rather than 10 cents per megabyte in New Zealand).

Our integrated local search offers a powerful location based search experience. When you're at a Zenbu Wireless Zone you can easily find businesses, places and services near you... even if you're not too sure where you are yourself! An application is also available for the iPhone and Windows Mobile so you can find things on the go without accessing the internet.

Where is the Zenbu Wireless Network available?

Zenbu Wireless is available at motels, hotels, backpackers, cafes, restaurants, bars, apartments, flats and houses around New Zealand and now also in the Cook Islands. You can view a list of Zenbu Wireless Wi-Fi hotspots here, or view them on a map here. If you'd like to become part of the Zenbu Wireless Network you can order your own Zenbu Wireless Router here. Just connect the Zenbu Wireless Router to your broadband internet connection and you're ready to go!
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How do people access the Zenbu Wireless Network?

To access the internet at a Zenbu Wireless Zone, users need only a Wi-Fi enabled device. Most notebook computers now come with Wi-Fi built-in and many cellphones and other mobile devices now include Wi-Fi. After connecting to a Zenbu Wireless Zone a user will be prompted to login to the Zenbu Wireless Network before they are granted internet access. After logging in using either an access code or their Zenbu username and password they will be able to use the internet.

Anyone can easily create a free Zenbu account here and use it to access the internet immediately. Credit can be added to regular user accounts as required like when using a prepaid cellphone. Access codes expire when the associated credit has been fully used and credit cannot be added.
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What is Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi (802.11b, 802.11g) is the most popular wireless networking standard available worldwide. More information on Wi-Fi is available here: Wikipedia Wi-Fi Article.
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Why should I choose the Zenbu wireless system?

How am I paid for internet usage at my Zenbu Wireless Zone?

When you print and sell your own access vouchers from the Zenbu website you simply keep any payment you receive. Printing your own access vouchers is absolutely free so if you want to give access vouchers to your customers it will not cost you anything. If you want to sell access vouchers, the money you receive is all yours.

When users purchase credit online and connect to the internet at your zone, you are paid 50% of the value of the data used. For example, if someone who has purchased credit online uses 123 MB of data at your zone you will be paid $6.15 (123 MB x 10 cents per MB x 50%). Payment will be direct credited to your designated bank account on the 26th of the month once you are owed at least $20.

Say one month people use $12 worth of credit at your place (your account would receive $6 in credit). The next month another $14 is used (another $7 credited to your account), then by the 26th of the third month an additional $16 ($8 for your account) is used. On the 26th of the third month you would be paid $6 + $7 + $8 = $21. It does not matter how many months this takes. As soon as you are owed at least $20 you get paid the total accumulated amount.

You can view usage details for your zone at any time on the administration section of the Zenbu website.

Please note that payments we receive from customers using the internet include GST (12.5%). If you are not registered for GST/VAT or do not supply your GST/VAT number then payments you receive from us will exclude the GST component of payments we receive. For example, rather than 5 cents per MB you would be paid 4.44 cents per MB.

How do customers buy credit to use the internet?

There are two ways customers can get credit to use the internet at a Zenbu Wireless Zone.

Option 1: Purchase credit online using a credit card
When a user purchases credit online using a credit card, the owner of the Zenbu Wireless Zone at which the user connects is paid 50% of the value of the data used at their zone. For example, if someone who has purchased credit online uses 123 MB of data at your zone you will be paid $6.15 (123 MB x 10 cents per MB x 50%). Credit can be purchased securely online at any time and is available for use immediately. Neither you nor your staff need to do anything when users buy credit online. It's all completely secure and completely automated.

Please note that payments we receive from customers using the internet include GST (12.5%). If you are not registered for GST/VAT or do not supply your GST/VAT number then payments you receive from us will exclude the GST component of payments we receive. For example, rather than 5 cents per MB you would be paid 4.44 cents per MB.

Option 2: Obtain an access code from the operator of the Zenbu Wireless Zone
Zone operators can login to the Zenbu website and print their own access vouchers. This service is absolutely free. You can print as many vouchers as you like, as often as you like. You can then sell access vouchers to people at your zone or even give them away. It's up to you how much you'd like to charge, and you keep 100% of any revenue you receive from selling access vouchers yourself. Each voucher has a fixed amount of credit and an access code which allows customers to login and use the internet. Once the credit is used, further internet access is denied and the user will have to get another voucher from you.

I would like to setup a Zenbu Wireless Zone at my place. What do I need to do?

Anyone with a broadband internet connection can easily setup their own Zenbu Wireless Zone. All you need is an ADSL modem or other broadband internet connection (Telstra cable modem, satellite etc.) with an ethernet output. Most broadband modems supplied by ISPs in New Zealand are suitable. Basically if you can connect a computer to the internet using an ethernet cable it should be fine. Once you have your broadband internet connection setup, simply order your pre-configured Zenbu Wireless Router here. We'll make sure it's all setup and working correctly then deliver it to your place. When it arrives you just need to plug it in and you're away!

There is an overview of how it all works available here.

How much will it cost me to setup and run my Zenbu Wireless Zone?

Purchasing a Zenbu Wireless Router costs $249. This includes delivery to anywhere in New Zealand and GST. There are no monthly fees or any other ongoing costs. You can order a Zenbu wireless router here.

After you've setup your router you can then login to our website, print access vouchers and either sell or give them to people at your Zenbu Wireless Zone. You keep 100% of any money you receive if you sell your own access vouchers. You can easily create and print access vouchers yourself on the Zenbu website absolutely free of charge. To be clear you do not pay us anything to create your own access vouchers and you keep any money you receive when you sell them. This capability makes the Zenbu Wireless System ideal for flats, family homes, small businesses and any other venues that want to keep tabs on how much data is used, but not necessarily charge for access. Simply print some access vouchers and give them to anyone you want to be able to access the internet at your Zenbu Wireless Zone.

People can also purchase credit online 24/7 using their credit card or Pago. When people who purchase credit online connect at your place you are paid 50% of the revenue generated. This means that when someone who has purchased credit online using their credit card logs in at your Zenbu Wireless Zone you are paid 5 cents for every 1MB of data they use (even if they have actually purchased the credit they use elsewhere). Credit people purchase online can be used at any of the hundreds of Zenbu wireless hotspots throughout New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Please note that payments we receive from customers using the internet include GST (12.5%). If you are not registered for GST/VAT or do not supply your GST/VAT number then payments you receive from us will exclude the GST component of payments we receive. For example, rather than 5 cents per MB you would be paid 4.44 cents per MB.

What type of locations can benefit from a Zenbu Wireless Zone?

Basically any location that has more than one person who wants to use the internet can benefit from having a Zenbu Wireless Zone. Zenbu Wireless Routers allow you to easily share your broadband internet connection without worrying about your monthly broadband data allowance being used up by others. Some of the ways different venues can benefit from the Zenbu Wireless System are outlined below.

• Zenbu Wireless Internet at Commercial Accommodation:
  Do you run a Bed and Breakfast? A motel? A hotel? A backpackers? A time-share or short-term rental accommodation? More and more people now travel with their own notebook computers and expect to be able to access the internet wherever they stay. A Zenbu Wireless Zone allows you to cheaply and easily offer your guests wireless broadband internet access and make your accommodation more attractive to more people. You don't even have to print and manage vouchers, just plug in the Zenbu Wireless Router and let your guests know that Zenbu Wireless Internet is available at your place. They can purchase credit online using their credit cards. How many people need to stay at your place instead of the place down the road to justify spending $249?


• Zenbu Wireless Internet at a Cafe:
  If you own or manage a cafe, restaurant, bar or other public facility you could increase your business by offering your customers access to the Zenbu Wireless Network. Have you seen customers using a notebook computer while at your cafe? These days, many business people choose to meet at friendly, neutral cafes rather than at their office. You can be sure they would greatly appreciate being able to access the internet while they have a coffee or lunch. They will come more often, eat and drink more and choose to go to cafes which offer wireless internet access over cafes which don't. It's that simple. With the Zenbu Wireless System you can offer this service to your customers cheaply, won't have to worry about monthly fees or managing access vouchers, and will not only sell more coffee and food but will also profit from the data your customers use.


• Zenbu Wireless Internet in a Flat:
  If you live in a flat and want to share your flat's internet connection fairly amongst your flatmates, the Zenbu Wireless System is the perfect solution. Simply print credit vouchers for each flatmate and make sure you all get what you're entitled to. It costs you nothing to print and use your vouchers and if anyone else uses your Zenbu Wireless Zone your flat will get paid, helping you cover the cost of your broadband connection and possibly even making money from it!


• Zenbu Wireless Internet in a Family Home:
  Using Zenbu Wireless you can print vouchers for your children and allow them to freely use the internet without having to worry about your monthly broadband data allowance being used on downloading their music and movies. And as a bonus if anyone else uses your Zenbu Wireless Zone you will get paid, helping you cover the cost of your broadband connection!

Here is a great example of some creative use of the Zenbu Wireless System in a Wellington apartment

What is a megabyte (MB)?

A megabyte is 1,048,576 bytes. A byte is a way of measuring digital data. Just as you can measure milk or petrol in litres, distance in metres or kilometres, you can measure digital data in bytes or megabytes. Every English character can be stored in one byte. So a megabyte (MB) is the equivalent of 1,048,576 English characters. Images, video and audio files require lots of bytes to store and transfer.

On average, people who have paid to use the internet at a Zenbu wireless zone use 15.57 MB each hour they are connected (download 13.10 MB and upload 2.47 MB). So on average it costs people $1.56 per hour to use the internet. Of course this can vary widely depending on what the person does (watching or downloading movies would be much more expensive, sending only textual emails even cheaper!) but these figures are the averages from the real users who have recently connected at our wireless zones.

Basically if you do not download large files (don't watch or download videos, update software or leave file sharing software running) and just use websites like Facebook, Trade Me, NZ Herald, Google, your email etc normally you should find the connection to be cheap and fast. We recommend disabling automatic software updates as the updates are often large, not generally essential and downloading them can use a lot of data quickly.

Here are a few examples of different file sizes that will hopefully give you a better idea because we know it's a bit difficult to imagine.

This web page is about 100 kilobytes (KB), so you could load it about 10 times and use 1 megabyte of data.

An MP3 (music) file is typically about 1 megabyte per minute of music. So a song which is 3 minutes long is usually about 3 megabytes in size.

You can talk to someone using Skype (software which allows you to talk to people over the internet) for about 3 minutes per megabyte of data.

The photos below are available in a few different sizes. Click the links below each photo to display the different versions.

Make sure you enlarge the bigger photos you display as they may be shrunk automatically by your web browser to fit on your screen. Normally a magnifying glass will appear over the image if it has been shrunk by your browser. Clicking on the image will enlarge it.
Rangitoto, Auckland, New Zealand [ 43KB version | 142KB version | 516KB version ]	50KB can be sent 20 times for 1MB 100KB can be sent 10 times for 1MB 500KB can be sent twice for 1MB Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, New Zealand [ 32KB version | 120KB version | 203KB version ]

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How do you print your own access vouchers?

Zenbu Wireless zone operators can easily print their own access vouchers free of charge on the Zenbu website. Just specify how many vouchers you'd like to print and what value you'd like to make them, then print away.

The vouchers are formatted to fit A4 print-your-own-business-card paper. You can buy print-your-own-business-card paper at Warehouse Stationery, Whitcoulls, Paper Plus, and other stationery stores. If you are going to try printing vouchers on business card paper, we suggest you take a sheet of vouchers you have printed with you and make sure you buy paper that will match the template and the setup of your printer. Of course you can print access vouchers on any paper you like and most people just use regular A4 paper.

You are also welcome to copy access codes you have created from our website to your own design software and incorporate them in any design you like.

With the template provided you can print a maximum of 10 access vouchers per A4 page.

Already operate your own Zenbu Wireless Zone? Make sure you are logged in and then click here to print access vouchers.

When you are logged in as a Zenbu Wireless zone owner, a link to print vouchers is displayed on our website. You must be logged in as an owner of your Zone in order to print vouchers.

How does the Zenbu Wireless System work?

The Zenbu Wireless System works by allowing only users who successfully login via the secure login page and have credit available to access the internet. The Zenbu Gateway Software keeps track of how much data each user has used, and once their credit is exhausted, will deny that user further internet access until additional credit is added to their account. It's a simple concept implemented with some fairly smart software.

Connecting to the internet at a Zenbu Wireless Zone:

1. User connects to a Zenbu Wireless Zone using the wireless connections manager on their computer
2. When they attempt to open a web page they are prompted to login to the Zenbu Network
3. After supplying their username and password, or a valid access code, full internet access is immediately made available
4. At the end of their session they can either logout, or simply turn off their computer and be logged out automatically after an extended period of inactivity
5. Any credit remaining will be available the next time they want to use the internet

Zenbu Wireless is a simple, affordable, sensible system that allows anyone with a broadband internet connection to easily offer secure wireless internet access.
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How many people can use the internet simultaneously at a Zenbu Wireless Zone?

About 100 people should be able to connect simultaneously at a Zenbu Wireless Zone. However, because all users share the same broadband internet connection, the more users that are connected, the slower the connection will become.

The more people that connect wirelessly the less reliable the wireless link will become. It is preferable to connect large numbers of users by cable through the monitored port on the Zenbu router rather than trying to provide wireless access.

In our experience, at most locations it is very unlikely that more than a few people will be connected at any one time.

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Can I use my own computers free at my own Zenbu Wireless Zone?

Of course you can! You pay for your internet connection and you can use it freely, both wirelessly or using ethernet (standard network) cables. Using our simple web interface you can also easily allow any user to access the internet freely at your own Zenbu Wireless Zone. Any computers plugged into unmonitored ports (by default unmonitored ports are numbers 2-4) of the Zenbu Router will also be able to access the internet freely and are not monitored by the Zenbu Gateway Software.

Want to let your family and friends access the internet at your zone free of charge?
You can allow people to use the internet freely at your zone by adding them as a friend. Simply add their Zenbu username to your list of friends on the admin page. One click and it's done. You can remove friends just as easily. Usage will still be monitored so you can keep tabs on how much data your friends are using but they'll be able to access the internet unrestricted. You can set a limit for how much data your friends can use per month and their quota will reset automatically on the day you choose.

Don't want your friends to have unlimited free access?
You can always print your own access vouchers and give them to anyone you would like to be able to access the internet free of charge. This makes the Zenbu Wireless System ideal for venues that want to offer free wireless internet access but restrict the amount of data people can use. You can print your own access vouchers free of charge on the Zenbu website.

Want to make your Zenbu Wireless Zone free for anyone to access?
You can make your Zenbu Wireless Zone free for everyone with a single click on the link on the admin page. People will still be required to login at your zone as they normally would and their data usage will still be monitored, but they will not be restricted or have their usage debited from their account.

Managing your zone is easy using the administration section of the Zenbu website.

What is the range of a Zenbu Wireless Router?

Zenbu Wireless Routers typically transmit and receive data reliably over a distance of about 50 metres in a normal environment. For example, when visible through a window at reception the router should comfortably transmit 50 metres across a carpark into units at a motel. However, the range of the router is very dependent on the materials through which the signal is transmitted. Everything blocks Wi-Fi and other radio signals a little. Even in open space (Earth's atmosphere) radio transmissions are limited. Wood, plaster, cinder blocks, and glass don't generally interfere much, but brick, stone, and water (hot water cylinders, fish tanks etc) are more disruptive. Worse still are ceramic, concrete, metal, and mirrors, which reflect visible light and radio waves alike.

Through only windows the range of the router should be about 70-80 metres (using the standard internal wi-fi capabilites of a notebook computer). You will be able to limit this range down to near zero depending on the materials through which you attempt to transmit or could increase the range by using external directional or high gain antennae.

In tests we performed with true line of sight (that is, with nothing but open space between the notebook computer and the wireless router) the following results were achieved:

Test 1: Using the standard antennae, a reliable connection was possible over a distance of approximately 380 metres.

Test 2: Using 9dB high gain omni-directional antennae reliable connection and transmission of data was possible over a maximum distance of about 490 metres.

Test 3: Using a single 14dB high gain directional antenna gave a very robust reliable signal over the maximum measured distance of 880 metres.

The above tests were performed using the internal Wi-Fi functionality of an ASUS Z9100L notebook computer.

Please note that the above tests were conducted in open space with no obstacles, not even a window, between the router and the user's computer. These transmission distances will not be possible through walls, windows, doors, trees etc and are published only to give an indication of the relative performance of different antenna types.

When deciding where to place your Zenbu Wireless Router if you imagine it beaming light in all directions and place it somewhere that would shine light on the area you want to cover you should be alright. Of course the fewer walls the signal has to go through the better. Just like with light, windows allow the signal from your Zenbu Wireless Router through nicely. A little bit of experimentation may be required to maximize coverage achieved by your router.

The standard antennae can simply be unscrewed from the Zenbu wireless router and replaced with any antenna that has a standard reverse polarity TNC male connector.

A great way to increase coverage is by connecting a secondary access point to the monitored ethernet port of the Zenbu wireless router. For more information on improving coverage, please see our hints for improving coverage.

What are the specifications of a Zenbu Wireless Router?

Zenbu Wireless Routers are Linksys WRT54GL routers that have been modified to run our own wireless gateway software which facilitates monitored, secure, public internet access anywhere broadband is available.

Router Specifications

• 1 WAN 10/100 Ethernet port
  This is the port into which you plug in your adsl modem or other ethernet internet connection.
• 4-Port 10/100 Switch
  Allows 3 of your own computers and 1 computer monitored by the zenbu gateway software to be connected simultaneously.
• Complies with 802.11g and 802.11b (2.4GHz) Wi-Fi Standards
  Customers can access the internet using standard equipment built into most notebook computers since 2004. Customers do not need to purchase or use any special equipment or make any unusual configuration modifications.
• 100% Secure Firewall fully protects your own and your customers' computers
  No data can be transmitted between any wireless client and any other client connected to the router. This means that there is no way any wireless client can access any devices plugged into the router or any other devices connected wirelessly. You can still send and receive information securely between computers connected to the private ethernet ports.

What security measures does Zenbu have in place to protect users' computers and data?

Security for our users and zone operators is very important to us. Many people leave their computers open to at least file sharing over a local area connection simply because they are unaware of the risks. This means that in a public network environment it could be possible for malicious parties to access data on their computer. However, Zenbu Wireless routers have an internal firewall which blocks all traffic between any client connected wirelessly and any other client. Quite simply it is impossible for one user to access, or even see, any other user's computer when connected to the internet through a Zenbu Wireless router. Zenbu Wireless user's and zone operator's computers are secure regardless of any insecure network settings they may have.

By default port number 1 of the Zenbu Wireless router is monitored by the Zenbu Gateway Software just like the wireless interface and has the same firewall protecting it, so any computer connected by cable to port number one is also protected.

In addition to blocking traffic between any two clients, the internal firewall also blocks clients from accessing any local computers through the Zenbu router. Any computer connected to a Zenbu router (or "behind" the Zenbu router) is secure from access by wireless users.

Regarding wireless security, that is encryption of data sent over the wireless interface, it is not possible to reliably encrypt all data sent over a wireless connection and allow the public to use the internet over the same connection. If the security key is given to users then data is no longer secure as anyone with the key could decrypt it.

We recommend encrypting any files you want to send and using a VPN to access any services which require high security. Most services which require data security such as internet banking typically use end-to-end encryption so regardless of whether you are connected wirelessly or by wire, your data is already securely encrypted. In this case secondary encryption on the wireless connection is unnecessary. URLs beginning with 'https' are encrypted.

There is software available that can provide encryption even for websites which do not provide their own. Anchor Free's Hotspot Shield is a popular package which can securely encrypt traffic to and from unsecure websites. Hotspot Shield can also be used to allow access to sites that are blocked by network administrators. If Facebook, Twitter, TradeMe or some other website you want to access is blocked by your network administrator, software such as Hotspot Shield can allow you to not only access it, but access it securely.

For public wireless internet access, you simply cannot do much better than a secure firewall which blocks data being sent between users connected to your wireless router with a VPN or SSL connection setup for any data which requires end-to-end security.
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Can I use a Zenbu wireless router to monitor people connecting to the internet by cable?

Yes, by connecting an ethernet switch to port number 1 on the Zenbu router you can monitor a cabled network. Many motels use this capability to monitor and control usage of their existing cabled network.

People will connect to the system by ethernet cable (an ethernet port to provide internet access is often available in motel units) and will purchase credit and login in exactly the same way as if they were connecting wirelessly.

This is a very cost effective way to monitor and bill for internet usage if you already have cabling available for customers to connect to using their own computers.
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Can I mount the Zenbu wireless router on the wall?

There is no wall-mounting "kit" with the Zenbu router, but you can easily mount it on the wall yourself. One easy way is to simply remove the rubber feet from the router, screw them onto the wall then attach the router to them. An example of this method is available as a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5bXb8l52yk.

You could also make up your own little shelf etc.

Mounting the router on the wall is often a good way to both keep it out of the way and position it in a place which provides good coverage.

How can I improve coverage from my Zenbu Wireless Router?

While we do not sell any additional equipment for increasing coverage from your router, we do provide some information with different ideas for improving coverage right here on our website. We want all our zone operators to achieve the coverage they want from their Zenbu wireless router as cheaply as possible and hope this information will help.

When people access my Zenbu wireless system will it use my broadband allowance?

Yes all usage through the Zenbu wireless router will count towards your broadband allowance from your ISP. The Zenbu wireless system provides a way for you to share your broadband connections but maintain control over how much data others can use. There is no special internet connection required, the Zenbu router uses your existing broadband internet connection just like your own computers do.

How much does it cost to use the Zenbu Network?

It costs NZ$0.10 (10 cents) per megabyte to use the Zenbu Network at zones in New Zealand and NZ$0.30 (30 cents) per megabyte to use the network in the Cook Islands. Some locations choose to provide discounted or even free access vouchers so it can be even cheaper!

It is more expensive to use the Zenbu wireless system in the Cook Islands than in New Zealand because broadband access there is more expensive. Please see the broadband plans available in the Cook Islands for more information.

With Zenbu there are no plans or term contracts, credit is purchased in advance much like when using a prepaid cellphone.
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How do I access the internet at a Zenbu Wireless Zone?

There are 2 options for connecting to the internet at a Zenbu Wireless Zone.

Option 1. Login using your username and password

This is the easiest, most flexible, most convenient way to use the Zenbu Wireless Network. Use this option to login using a username and password you have previously created. Simply enter your username and password and click the login button.

This option allows you to utilise any credit you have previously added to your account. Any valid credit from access codes will be used prior to any credit you have purchased using your credit card. This means that if you have received free or discounted vouchers for a given location, credit from these vouchers will be used first, saving you money. If you'd like to create an account now, you can do so here.

Option 2. Login using an access code

Use this option if you have an access code that is valid at your present location. Simply enter your access code in the appropriate box on the login page and click login. Access vouchers, if available, may be obtained from the operator of the Zenbu Wireless Zone to which you are connected. Please note that access vouchers received from zone operators are not valid at all Zenbu Wireless Zones.

1. Select and connect to the 'Zenbu.net.nz' wireless signal from the list of available wireless networks on your device.
2. Once connected to the wireless signal, start your web browser and open a website [such as http://www.google.com ] by entering the address in your browser or using your bookmarks. If you are not already logged in, you will be redirected to the Zenbu login page.
3. On the login page, enter either your Zenbu username and password or your access code in the appropriate fields and click the login button.
4. If your account or access code has credit remaining you will automatically login and be able to use the internet.

I have used up all of my credit. What should I do?

1. If you were using an access code and would like another you will have to obtain one from the staff at your current venue or purchase another access code online using your credit card.
2. If you signed in using your account you can purchase additional credit here.

How can I add more credit to my account?

You have two options for obtaining additional credit:

1. Obtain an access code which is valid at the Zenbu Wireless Zone you want to use
   Please ask the staff at your current venue for a "Zenbu Internet Voucher". Please be aware that such access vouchers are only valid at the location at which they are received and cannot be used at any other Zenbu Wireless Zones. Also please note that access vouchers are not available at all locations.


2. Purchase credit online.
   This option allows you to purchase credit securely using your credit card. It saves you the hassle of obtaining an access voucher, is available 24 hours a day, and allows you to login at any Zenbu Wireless Zone in the future.
   Simply select the amount of credit you wish to purchase, and click on the buy credit button. This will take you to the Zenbu secure payment page where you will be prompted for your credit card details. All data submitted is encrypted and Zenbu will neither see nor store your credit card information. Credit purchased online will be available for use immediately.

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I am trying to login using an access code that I obtained somewhere else but it isn't working. Why?

An access code received from staff at a Zenbu Wireless Zone may only be used at the zone(s) for which it is valid. You will be unable to login using an access code obtained from a zone operator at any other Zenbu Wireless Zones. In this case, you will either need to obtain an access voucher that is valid at your current venue or create a free account here.

Access codes which are purchased online are valid at all Zenbu Wireless Zones.
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Why isn't there a time limit when you login to the Zenbu Network?

We firmly believe that when you're selling data, it should be measured appropriately. Supermarkets don't sell potatoes by the litre, you don't buy fish and chips by the minute, and petrol stations don't sell petrol by the kilometre. Why would you sell data by the hour, day or month? We've made it sensible, easy and affordable.

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I did not validate my account within the time allowed. What should I do?

When you create a new account you are granted 5 minutes of internet access in order to retrieve the email we send you and to validate your email address.

If you did not validate your account within the allowed time you can still use your new account by purchasing credit.

Alternatively you could create a new account and then validate it, or connect to the internet using an access code which you can purchase online and use immediately.

You can purchase an access code online here.

If you would like us to resend the validation email, please click here.

How do I create a Zenbu Wireless account?

Creating a Zenbu Wireless account is easy. Here's how you do it:

• Pick a username, enter your email address, and choose a password you'll remember. We will then send you an email containing a validation code. You are provided 5 minutes free internet access in order to check your email and validate your account. If you do not validate your new account within 5 minutes, don't worry you can still use the internet by adding credit to your account. Either way your new account can be used immediately. Just be aware that your account must have credit available in order to use the internet.
• Once you have created an account, simply open a web page as you normally would. If you are prompted to do so, just enter your username and password to login.
• Click here to create an account now

I'm having trouble sending email. What SMTP settings should I use to send email?

When you are connected to the internet at a Zenbu wireless zone you have unrestricted access to all internet services. No ports are blocked by our software.

However, some email providers (like Xtra) do not allow people who are not connected directly to their servers to send email using SMTP.

This means that it may not be possible to send email using your normal software, at least without making some configuration changes.

Zenbu DOES NOT provide a public SMTP server for customers to use. This protects our servers from being blacklisted, which would happen if customers used them to send spam email.

So what can you do?

The easiest option may be to use web based email like Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or your email provider's web based interface. Please contact your email provider directly to find out whether they have a web based email service available. Most email providers will have a web based interface. Web based email is designed to be portable and will work no matter where or how you are connected to the internet.

If you really want to use your regular email software you will need to use a service which allows access through the connection at your current location. Some options follow:

1. We have used www.Authsmtp.com in the past. It was secure, reliable and didn't get blocked by spam filters.
2. SMTP.com provides a similar service, with slightly different plans and costs.
3. SMTP-Server.com provides a portable SMTP service and usually offers a free trial.
4. You can also install SMTP server software on your computer. There are several options available at Download.com (search for 'smtp server'). This will allow you to send email directly from your computer no matter where you connect.
5. Sometimes you can pay your email provider a premium for roaming SMTP server access. You will have to check with your email provider whether or not they offer this service.