Terms of use of the FireStar Wireless Network

All members of the public are welcomed to use the Firestar (WiFi) Wireless Network and agree to the following terms of use. These terms of use are current.

1) FireStar Wireless Network operation, access and availability

a. The FireStar Wireless Network is a collection of independently operated wireless zones. To access the internet at a Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone you must use a device which is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n) access points. If you are unsure whether your device is capable of this, and are at a Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone, we suggest you simply click on the free access buttons at your FireStar login page. If you can read these pages, the browser you are using is suitable.

Most modern (2004 and later) notebook computers and certain cell phones now have built-in capability. Your device must also have an internet browser capable of accessing the FireStar Wireless login page. All popular internet browsers such as Internet Explorer (including Windows Mobile versions), Firefox, Opera, Chrome, Safari etc. are capable of this. We do not guarantee that all or any Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone will be available at any time. Most Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zones provide a very reliable wireless broadband internet connection. However, if you have problems connecting to or using the internet at a particular Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone, please let us know by sending an email from the free access button and we will try to resolve any issues the zone operator may be having.

2) Charges, payments, billing and refunds

a. The FireStar Wireless Network operates on a pre-paid basis. This means that in order to connect to and use the internet at Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zones users must have credit available in their account or on any access voucher(s) they wish to use.

b. Credit may be purchased online using a credit card or other payment method (where available) or by purchasing access vouchers directly from Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone operators. Access vouchers are sold at the discretion of and at a price determined by individual Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone operators and may not be available at all locations. Access vouchers issued by zone operators may only be valid only at the zone at which they are obtained and may not be used at any other zones. Credit can be purchased online at any time, at any location. Credit purchased online can be used at any Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone.

c. Credit for the FireStar Wireless Network is active from the initial login and is valid as per your listed purchase schedule.

d. Data use includes uploads and downloads sent to and from any device connected to the internet at any Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone. This includes hidden or background software.

e. Hidden or background software may include Windows and other automatic software updates, peer-to-peer software (e.g. file sharing/Skype/Bit torrent), online games, spyware and viruses.

f. FireStar Connect does not accept any responsibility for any unwanted, hidden or background software used or running on any personal device connected to a Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone.

g. It is the sole responsibility of a device owner to decide to use or disable non-essential, (hidden or background) software.

h. FireStar Connect suggests without prejudice using tools such as Net limiter or DU Meter that may display software accessing the internet. It is important to be aware that there will be discrepancies in the amount of data used as measured by different network monitoring software. The amount of data that will be debited from your account is measured at the wireless router and all data (including protocol overhead etc.) sent to or from the internet is included. Netlimiter may under-estimate and DU Meter may over-estimate when compared with the actual amount of data that is sent or received as measured at the router. Although the measurements will vary, these tools should help you easily determine which applications are using data.

i. The cost of internet access vouchers (PIN cards) may vary from location to location. Online credit account rates remain the same at all location. Some venues may choose to provide discounted access vouchers at their discretion. 1 megabyte is equal to 1048576 bytes.

j. Our software measures all data sent to and received from the internet. Please be aware that sending or receiving a file typically uses more data than just the file size. Some protocols can use significantly more data (e.g. Bit torrent) but any file will require more data to send or receive than simply the file size itself. The amount of data you use while connected to the internet as measured by the software running on the wireless router to which you connect is the amount that will be debited from your account.

k. A purchase prompt will appear when credit has expired. Please ensure that you have sufficient credit available at all times as unscheduled internet disconnection could prove inconvenient.

l. A confirmation email is sent for all online credit purchases and a record of purchases may be viewed by using your Firestar Member login on www.firestar.co.nz webpage or login directly to https://login2.firestar.co.nz/fscc/index.php at any time. The menu shows details of your remaining data credit and any credit purchases you have made.

3) Credit purchased online is non-refundable.

The cost of any printed access vouchers purchased at Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zones may be refunded at the absolute discretion of and by the operator of the wireless zone at which the voucher was purchased.

a. The “time and traffic remaining” on a Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone connection is dependent on the voucher or credit purchased. Credit purchased online is subject to the rate selected on the https://login2.firestar.co.nz/fscc/myaccount.php?panel=topup menu page.

For security, the FireStar Network will log off automatically if your connection is unused for 5 minutes. This helps to preserve remaining credit for any future use.

b. A member may also choose to logout and close the connection or simply turn off their device.

Your device may remember your login details and automatically reconnect to the internet upon restarting, otherwise the user will need to manually re-enter login details. (See FAQ’s on how to disable this feature if necessary).

4) Illegal downloading

FireStar Connect warns it is illegal in New Zealand for anyone to file share and download any copyright material without the consent and permission of the owner, author or authorised agent. Persons monitored and caught doing any illegal downloading while connected to any Firestar WiFi Hotspot Zone may be disconnected and lose all of their remaining credit or details may be forwarded to any interested party who wishes to pursue the matter further.