Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Verizon Viewing iPad as Opportunity to Push MiFi Service

If Verizon was serious about this being an opportunity they would offer the Mifi contract free with pricing that was on par with AT&T. Even if they made the contract free Mifi $149. Yes, more expensive than AT&T, but it would be worth it due to the advantages. Then offer contract free pricing structure of $19.99/mo for 250MB and $34.99/mo for Unlimited.
They would sell 10 million Mifis.
Not sure what would happen to people in contracts though. Might cause a little bit of an uproar.
 
It really comes down to a coverage issue. VzW works inside nearly any building, and in more places. The real downside is it is only 5gb a month, and I'm still paying $60. Another awesome idea would be Sprint's mobile wifi hotspot with their 4g service unlimited, but it's too bad that Sprint's coverage is worse than AT&T, especially when it comes to 4g.
 
rumplestiltskin said:
Hey, Verizon! This is not a solution.

The solution is to sell the MiFi device for $130, match (or come close to) AT&T's pricing and not require a contract! Otherwise, why bother with an extra dongle?
Click to expand...

Don't forget to get rid of the ridiculous 5GB cap on the "unlimited" plan.
 
polaris20 said:
Don't forget to get rid of the ridiculous 5GB cap on the "unlimited" plan.
Click to expand...

Because the Mi-Fi doesn't have an unlimited plan, it has a data plan with determined data. Notice Verizon doesn't say unlimited. You yourself said that.


At any rate, I'll be sure to tell anyone who wonders "is it good to have Verizon?", how AT&T will be cheaper and how at the end of a 1 year span they'll be able to have $560 in their bank accounts, that and AT&T's iPad plan is unlimited; no 5GB cap.

Math doesn't lie...

1 year AT&T = $360 + $130 (3G added cost) = $490 (first year) and $360 after that

1 year Verizon = $720 + $50 (Mi-Fi device) = $770 (first year) and $720 after that

No brainer who has it best....
 
gibbz said:
How is that appealing? Sure, you save $80 upfront, but that disappears in 3 months of paying their data prices.
Click to expand...

It's not exactly appealing dollar-wise, but if you need to more than what the (horribly crippled) iPad is willing to let you do, it's a not terrible option.
 
BritinNC said:
As crazy as this sounds I understand your thought process here, however, I'm not sure if you have to have the data plan operating for the assisted GPS to work in which case you will not only have to pay up for the 3G version but also for the data plan.

Also, having thought about this myself I think that if you have an iPhone that is with you all the time then you are going to use the iPhone for some things and the iPad for others. For example, I'll probably not put any music on the iPad because the iPhone is a better way to listen to music (and I always have it with me), but I'll probably never put another movie on the iPhone because the iPad is a better way to watch movies. That being said I have come to the conclusion that I would just use the iPhone for any GPS related stuff and its not worth the extra dollars for that feature alone.

If you plan on leaving home with just an iPad then its a difficult choice, but I won't be doing that. I may leave the house without my iPad, but I never leave without my iPhone. I'm still not convinced I can walk out without my laptop, but time (and a few more key apps being available) will tell.

Just my two cents.
Click to expand...

I like your reasoning actually, and I myself am constantly going back and forth through the same thought process you just described. In thinking about what possible storage size iPad to purchase, I also thought about movies and music. I originally thought I'd just get the 64Gb 3G version, since my 32Gb iPhone is out of storage already due to the size of my music library, then I realized that I probably wouldn't store any music on the iPad, because it's just not ideal as a portable music player. I'd more than likely just have movies and apps on it, so I could do without having the 64Gb size.
But as far as the GPS part goes, I'm not sure if I'd want the iPad without it. I can see more apps coming along that might use GPS, and be even more useful on a screen the size of the iPad as opposed to the iPhone/Touch. Plus, I think that with a standalone GPS app for the iPad(Tom Tom, Navigon, etc), the GPS chip should work without a data connection, as the maps are stored on the device itself. I know my iPhone will still show position in Tom Tom, even when I have my SIM card out of the device (I went through a period of time where I was using a Blackberry instead of my iPhone, but I still used my iPhone as a media player/iPod/gaming device). But, if the 3G iPad uses the Gobi module, I'm not certain if it will still work like that. I may just wait on purchasing an iPad and see if there is any feedback on this.
 
blizaine said:
or JB your iPhone and pay $10 for MyWi and turn your iPhone into a wireless hot spot.
Click to expand...

This.

I love MyWi. I use it to connect my D300s via an eye.fi pro card to the phone. Then I can take pictures, save the NEF to the CF card and a smaller JPEG to the eye.fi card which pushes it directly to my MobileMe gallery via the iPhone.

Well worth the JB and $10.
 
jav6454 said:
Because the Mi-Fi doesn't have an unlimited plan, it has a data plan with determined data. Notice Verizon doesn't say unlimited. You yourself said that.


At any rate, I'll be sure to tell anyone who wonders "is it good to have Verizon?", how AT&T will be cheaper and how at the end of a 1 year span they'll be able to have $560 in their bank accounts, that and AT&T's iPad plan is unlimited; no 5GB cap.

Math doesn't lie...

1 year AT&T = $360 + $130 (3G added cost) = $490 (first year) and $360 after that

1 year Verizon = $720 + $50 (Mi-Fi device) = $770 (first year) and $720 after that

No brainer who has it best....
Click to expand...

Hey, thanks for correcting me in the rudest way possible! BTW, they used to advertise it as unlimited but with a 5GB cap, though granted this article is old.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/82762
 
iggibiggi said:
Do you know if the iPad will find the iphone's signal? Because I know an ipod touch cant find my JBed iphone's signal. Only computers seem to be able to find it.
Click to expand...


My ipod touch always detect the iphone signal and connect with the net created by the iphone
 
jav6454 said:
Because the Mi-Fi doesn't have an unlimited plan, it has a data plan with determined data. Notice Verizon doesn't say unlimited. You yourself said that.


At any rate, I'll be sure to tell anyone who wonders "is it good to have Verizon?", how AT&T will be cheaper and how at the end of a 1 year span they'll be able to have $560 in their bank accounts, that and AT&T's iPad plan is unlimited; no 5GB cap.

Math doesn't lie...

1 year AT&T = $360 + $130 (3G added cost) = $490 (first year) and $360 after that

1 year Verizon = $720 + $50 (Mi-Fi device) = $770 (first year) and $720 after that

No brainer who has it best....
Click to expand...

Your math is correct, but you are missing the concept that the MiFi can be used for several devices, and Verizon 3G has better access throughout the country...

No matter what, I like the breakdown you gave to everyone. I am still getting the AT&T 3G iPad as AT&T does have faster download speeds in their areas covered.

I still won't get another iPhone till Verizon has it though... :D

I can't have important conversations be dwindled by AT&T's poor service & dropped calls.
 
Why get a MiFi when you could get a Sprint Overdrive and have WiMax plus 3G. (Assuming you live in/frequent a metro area that has or is about to get Clear WiMax). I'm seriously considering this for travel as well as for backup internet service at home.
 
blizaine said:
That's a good question. I think with the standard wifi tether hack it wouldn't work because you had to create an adhoc connection. with mywi, it turns your iphone into an wireless broadband router.

I just tested it with a ipod touch and an additional iphone and both were able to see and connect to my iphone running the mywi app. So it should work.
Click to expand...

Wow, hearing about miwi really makes me consider jailbreaking my iphone. I was going to get a wifi ipad anyway, but the ability to then use the wifi model with my iphone's 3g connection makes it even more appealing than a 3g ipad, since I won't have to have two data plans.
 
gglockner said:
Why get a MiFi when you could get a Sprint Overdrive and have WiMax plus 3G. (Assuming you live in/frequent a metro area that has or is about to get Clear WiMax). I'm seriously considering this for travel as well as for backup internet service at home.
Click to expand...

I've looked at the Sprint 4G device for travel, but as of yet, I just don't see WiMax coverage in enough areas to justify the device. Plus, I really like the size of the MiFi compared to the Overdrive, which looks huge next to a MiFi. A MiFi can literally fit into a front pants pocket with no hassle and not really even be noticeable, whereas an Overdrive definitely won't.
 
crackbookpro said:
Your math is correct, but you are missing the concept that the MiFi can be used for several devices, and Verizon 3G has better access throughout the country...

No matter what, I like the breakdown you gave to everyone. I am still getting the AT&T 3G iPad as AT&T does have faster download speeds in their areas covered.

I still won't get another iPhone till Verizon has it though... :D

I can't have important conversations be dwindled by AT&T's poor service & dropped calls.
Click to expand...

1. What good is Mi-Fi is it is capped at 5GB? It won't do much good if multiple devices are gnawing on those 5GB. I can bet at two devices you'll eat through those 5GB in less than a month.

2. Better access is relative to your needs & location. If you travel a lot then it might make sense; however, with AT&T you get EDGE all over which is also reliable since it's been around since 2003.

3. iPhone on Verizon? Something that we won't see until 2014 or later... Verizon's recent ads featuring the iPhone in there have led me to push back the date when AT&T's exclusivity ends.

4. I hear ya, but like I said, service varies in accordance to your area.
 
neuregulin said:
iPad is mainly for home use, where WiFi is usually there (considering you already by an iPad....)

Though people may carry it otherwhere, I doubt it would be used like an iPhone (which you want to be connected all the time)...


And THe $$$$$$$ Verizon is waving right in front of my eye really pissed me.....
Click to expand...

I carry an iPhone and a MacBook pro to many of my clients. At their site most do not have open WIFI and do not want me to connect to their networks via wire. So I use a 3G dongle which cost me 60 a month.

An iPAD with 3G service at 30 per month can provide me over 80% of the functionality I would need on the road and is a lot lighter than a MacBook Pro.

With 3G service, the iPAD can let me leave my MacBook at home, so I would carry an iPhone and an iPad. Too bad I can not get phone functionality in the iPAD, otherwise I can carry just the iPAD and a bluetooth headset and leave the iPhone home also.


With the iPAD I can connect to my Mac and PC at home, at the office, and can also create documents, presentations, spreadsheets, listen to music, browse the web, see movies, schedule meetings, send/receive emails, WOW plenty.

The only thing I can not do is edit photos or use my hacking tools which I rerely do on the road anyway.

Lots can be done with the iPAD and more in the future as more applications are written for it.
 
crackbookpro said:
Your math is correct, but you are missing the concept that the MiFi can be used for several devices, and Verizon 3G has better access throughout the country...

No matter what, I like the breakdown you gave to everyone. I am still getting the AT&T 3G iPad as AT&T does have faster download speeds in their areas covered.

I still won't get another iPhone till Verizon has it though... :D

I can't have important conversations be dwindled by AT&T's poor service & dropped calls.
Click to expand...

But they are going to market this to iPad users. If you don't need 5 things looked to the MiFi, why would you want to pay so much more? Their coverage is not $500+ better. I used VZW for years.
 
If the MiFi was actually unlimited instead of 5GB, even for $60 a month, I would get it. Then I could use it with my MacBook Pros, my iPT, and an iPad, I could share the connection with colleagues while traveling.
 
crackbookpro said:
Your math is correct, but you are missing the concept that the MiFi can be used for several devices, and Verizon 3G has better access throughout the country...

No matter what, I like the breakdown you gave to everyone. I am still getting the AT&T 3G iPad as AT&T does have faster download speeds in their areas covered.

I still won't get another iPhone till Verizon has it though... :D

I can't have important conversations be dwindled by AT&T's poor service & dropped calls.
Click to expand...

I agree. If you are looking at picking up a MiFi JUST for the iPad, then it would honestly be stupid to do so, unless you just like spending extra money. But, if you need a mobile internet connection for NOT ONLY the iPad, then the MiFi would be a great compliment to a wifi only iPad. The MiFi can connect several devices to a 3G network at the same time, and is exactly the same price per month as any standalone AT&T 3G data dongle, WITH THE SAME 5GB CAP. I honestly don't understand why AT&T says the data cards have a 5Gb cap (which they DO enforce, I've seen it first hand), whereas their smartphones are "unlimited", with a "soft" 5GB cap (that they do not enforce as of yet).
 
What's with all the negativity?

The message here is that the iPad is attracting companies other than AT&T to provide connectivity. The market will dictate the prices. More choice is always a good thing. There are some who don't like AT&T who will appreciate a Verizon option. Maybe other companies will get into the game also. The more choices the better.

Don't be negative; look at the big picture!
 
chris975d said:
....I honestly don't understand why AT&T says the data cards have a 5Gb cap (which they DO enforce, I've seen it first hand), whereas their smartphones are "unlimited", with a "soft" 5GB cap (that they do not enforce as of yet).
Click to expand...

I agree with the first but not with the second. AT&T's smartphone do not carry a 5GB soft cap. If it is unlimited, it is unlimited. The day that changes you are free from your contract if you so wish (terms have changed).

What people tend to confuse is the wording in the contract where it says not to abuse the connection. Abuse can mean many things to many people (like that 5GB cap), but it translates to using the connections for criminal activity or using it to connect other devices not in the contract; you get the picture.

sishaw said:
The message here is that the iPad is attracting companies other than AT&T to provide connectivity. The market will dictate the prices. More choice is always a good thing. There are some who don't like AT&T who will appreciate a Verizon option. Maybe other companies will get into the game also. The more choices the better.

Don't be negative; look at the big picture!
Click to expand...

So you are happy the average consumer will get suckered in a more expensive plan option?
 
polaris20 said:
If the MiFi was actually unlimited instead of 5GB, even for $60 a month, I would get it. Then I could use it with my MacBook Pros, my iPT, and an iPad, I could share the connection with colleagues while traveling.
Click to expand...

In my experience, a 5Gb cap is actually very, very hard to go over, if you are using the MiFi as an "on the road only" device, and not a replacement for home, work, on the road, etc. broadband device. If you're doing ALL your broadband use through it, then yes, you can hit that cap pretty easily. But if you're only using it away from work or home, and not streaming music/video/online gaming 24/7, I can't get close to the cap. The highest I've ever gone is 2700Mb in a month, and I use it a few hours each day usually.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back