Verizon Viewing iPad as Opportunity to Push MiFi Service

[Airforcekid]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_1_3 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Mobile/7E18)

If you need a MacBook and ipad connected get cricket ulimited and stream wifi from the MacBook to the ipad cheaper.

 

[twoodcc]

I would consider it if the price wasn't so high

 

[Plutonius]

Honestly, Verizon could give away the MIFI and I would never get it. I refuse to ever deal with Verizon again after they dropped all their landline customers in Vt, NH, and Maine and sold out to Fairpoint (a bankrupt company).

 

[jav6454]

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.

Well, not everyone is like you or knows how much bandwidth they are sucking down.

Some people just see, INTERNET and will browse and browse and many won't hit that, others will break that. So those extra fees on top of an already high plan make for a great customer yelling recipe. Just saying.

 

[chris975d]

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.

Ok, maybe you are right on the smartphones not having a soft cap of 5GB. I've not looked through my last iPhone contract to see the specifics, I've just heard the manager of the local corporate AT&T store say it more than once. But then again, maybe he's assuming it since the data cards have a cap of 5GB. But I do know that it's spelled out in an AT&T data card contract, as the last one I had stated it, and I was hit with overages the first month I exceeded it by 2GB (I was trying to use it as a replacement for home broadband). I don't see why they don't just lift the data card cap, as "data is data", no matter what device (phone or laptop) is pulling it down, and they don't charge overages on the smartphones.

 

[roxygal9]

Verizon Wants Apple Bad!

I have been a verizon customer for over 10 years now and currently have thr droid. The 3G network is great and surfing isnt so bad. Also the droid is expected to get flash pretty soon. I think it is a matter of time before verizon adapts the iphone and would like to see it happen. 60/mo for the mifi is just to much for the average consumer, I feel Verizon will have to drop their prices a bit in order to be competitve and soak up some IPAD users.

 

[jo0]

yeah looks a little retarded.

 

[HLdan]

Some of you guys here are not seeing the big picture. The biggest complaint about the iPhone is that it's tied to AT&T. The iPad changes all of this and gives us choice. Sure, Verizon is more expensive, but it's great to have choice. You certainly can't blame Verizon for taking advantage of this.

 

[speedriff]

So Um...

So let me see if I have this right: If I buy this mifi from Verizon I can use an iPhone via wifi? Does that mean I can just buy the iPhone and not use AT&T's crummy service? All that for $60 a month and I can use an iPad and laptop on it too? C'mon, there has to be a catch, right? If this is the case, I'm sold. That is one way to get an iPhone on Verizon if it works.

 

[jav6454]

Ok, maybe you are right on the smartphones not having a soft cap of 5GB. I've not looked through my last iPhone contract to see the specifics, I've just heard the manager of the local corporate AT&T store say it more than once. But then again, maybe he's assuming it since the data cards have a cap of 5GB. But I do know that it's spelled out in an AT&T data card contract, as the last one I had stated it, and I was hit with overages the first month I exceeded it by 2GB (I was trying to use it as a replacement for home broadband). I don't see why they don't just lift the data card cap, as "data is data", no matter what device (phone or laptop) is pulling it down, and they don't charge overages on the smartphones.

I managed 6 months on a 3G dongle. Yes, that cap can get pesky. I always tried to keep it less than 200MB a day. Somehow I never really hit 5GB, I always ended up having 600MB left over.

They have the restriction because some people abuse the service and use it as a primary line. As we know wireless spectrum is precious and doesn't allow that type of mass consumption. Hence to prevent any problems all carriers put out the 5GB caps.

Some of you guys here are not seeing the big picture. The biggest complaint about the iPhone is that it's tied to AT&T. The iPad changes all of this and gives us choice. Sure, Verizon is more expensive, but it's great to have choice. You certainly can't blame Verizon for taking advantage of this.

So you are happy they are over charging you? And on top of that capping you?

So let me see if I have this right: If I buy this mifi from Verizon I can use an iPhone via wifi? Does that mean I can just buy the iPhone and not use AT&T's crummy service? All that for $60 a month and I can use an iPad and laptop on it too? C'mon, there has to be a catch, right? If this is the case, I'm sold. That is one way to get an iPhone on Verizon if it works.

The catch is you end up paying more than half what AT&T will charge you.

 

[chris975d]

Well, not everyone is like you or knows how much bandwidth they are sucking down.

Some people just see, INTERNET and will browse and browse and many won't hit that, others will break that. So those extra fees on top of an already high plan make for a great customer yelling recipe. Just saying.

I understand what you are saying completely about the "customer yelling recipe. Most people do not look at things like that (a cap on bandwidth), and will throw a fit when they go over it unknowingly. And I think Verizon must have experienced this, because when you sign up for a MiFi, the sales person goes through a long, rehearsed speech about the 5GB cap, how much average use that is, how many songs that would be, movies, etc. They have it down pat, so I'm assuming it's a rehearsed thing corporate is having them do (I heard it twice in the store while I was signing up for mine).

 

[Stelph]

or JB your iPhone and pay $10 for MyWi and turn your iPhone into a wireless hot spot.

Or if you have a Symbian or Windows Mobile phone with wifi, get Joikuspot to turn your phone into a wireless hot spot as well

http://www.joikushop.com/

I currently do this with my cheap Nokia and my iPod touch, the ultimate combination in my opinion as it give me all the flexability of an iPhone without the high cost or the risk of busting the iPhone on a night out (just leave the touch at home)

 

[Master Chief]

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.

Adding a small surplus for connectivity on your invoice might work, but I would advise to talk about being more productive with a fast(er) and more secure connection to the outside world. That worked here.

 

[Friscohoya]

I think even the 3G ipad is a long shot, but this concept is just hope.

 

[chris975d]

I managed 6 months on a 3G dongle. Yes, that cap can get pesky. I always tried to keep it less than 200MB a day. Somehow I never really hit 5GB, I always ended up having 600MB left over.

They have the restriction because some people abuse the service and use it as a primary line. As we know wireless spectrum is precious and doesn't allow that type of mass consumption. Hence to prevent any problems all carriers put out the 5GB caps.

I understand the potential "abuse" part, but I'm just saying that I don't understand why they limit one and not the other, when both are capable of exceeding the 5Gb. I have a few friends who live by their iPhones, and they seriously hit 6-8Gb worth of use in many months (constant streaming of Pandora on the highest quality setting, lots of 'net use, etc), yet their is no overage charge on that, but if you do the same on a data card, there is. "Mass consumption" is mass consumption, no matter what device. 5GB on one device is equal to 5GB on another is all I'm saying. And all of this is completely off the OP's topic.

And by the way, I'm not arguing with you or anything like that. I agree with most of the things you've said. Just mainly throwing out thoughts and questions that pop into my head about this as I read the thread.

 

[jav6454]

I understand the potential "abuse" part, but I'm just saying that I don't understand why they limit one and not the other, when both are capable of exceeding the 5Gb. I have a few friends who live by their iPhones, and they seriously hit 6-8Gb worth of use in many months (constant streaming of Pandora on the highest quality setting, lots of 'net use, etc), yet their is no overage charge on that, but if you do the same on a data card, there is. "Mass consumption" is mass consumption, no matter what device. 5GB on one device is equal to 5GB on another is all I'm saying. And all of this is completely off the OP's topic.

And by the way, I'm not arguing with you or anything like that. I agree with most of the things you've said. Just mainly throwing out thoughts and questions that pop into my head about this as I read the thread.

The iPhone doesn't have the full fledged potential a computer with a 3G dongle has. You can't stream a movie to your iPhone or watch many other stuff out there that is bandwidth intensive. On a computer you can. Also, on a computer with 3G, you can even download files 1GB or bigger.

Not so much on the iPhone. Yes 6GB of data is a lot, but not much if its spread out thin in mini sessions rather than one big session (repeating) which might leave other users out of service.

 

[chris975d]

The iPhone doesn't have the full fledged potential a computer with a 3G dongle has. You can't stream a movie to your iPhone or watch many other stuff out there that is bandwidth intensive. On a computer you can. Also, on a computer with 3G, you can even download files 1GB or bigger.

Not so much on the iPhone. Yes 6GB of data is a lot, but not much if its spread out thin in mini sessions rather than one big session (repeating) which might leave other users out of service.

Ok, I can kinda see the difference when you talk about lots of smaller sessions versus a few very large, intensive sections that would suck up bandwidth. Thanks for a different perspective than my own. It's sometimes hard to understand things when you can't grasp all perspectives.

 

[Rocketman]

For years people have been begging for cellular tethering of their Mac laptops and their iPod Touch. Only now, when the iPad gets worldwide mind share, does Verizon wake up and realize a product they already sell solves a problem for Apple device users?

How many minutes do you think it will be till AT&T comes out with a handtophotspot-tm-me?

Rocketman

cites:

Cricket 3G
http://www.unlimitedcellphoneplan.com/cricket-wireless/broadband/

Clear 4G
http://www.clear.com/

Verizon MiFi
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phone-and-smart/verizon-wireless-mifi-2200/4505-6448_7-33658722.html

Zoom mobile hotspot
http://www.zoom.com/products/mobile_broadband_overview.html?gclid=CNnQvoXYrqACFRUjawod4QcrUg#4506

 

[R3tard]

Where is Pay As You Go?

Most of the countries I've been to have "Pay as You Go" services. That's what I was expecting from carriers when the iPad arrived.

I should be able to pay AT&T $15 for 250MB. Once I use the 250MB, then I pay another $15. The next time I buy bandwidth, I should be able to go to Verizon if they offer 250MB for $10.

Paying another $15 a month if I use the data or not doesn't make sense to me.

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

MiFi rocks! I have it in my conversion van. When we go on trips, etc, my kids can connect their Itouch devices, laptops etc to it. When I use my iPhone and I am in the boonies, I can still make calls over wifi and verizon network.

I love technology too, but there are times when you should just put it away. How about just enjoying your trip, and talking to your family instead?

 

[mattwolfmatt]

I'm curious about the 5GB limit. Wouldn't downloading one HD movie fill that up? I know it would take a while, but . . .

Has anyone gone over 5GB? You need to be doing some serious tethering I'm sure.

 

[gglockner]

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.

WiMax has faster speeds and (currently) no bandwidth caps. It's only a matter of time until more major cities get WiMax. Time will tell whether it gets bandwidth caps, though that looks unlikely as they are promoting WiMax for home use, and I believe that many home users exceed 5GB per month.

 

[sishaw]

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!

So you are happy the average consumer will get suckered in a more expensive plan option?

Yikes! Paternalistic and controlling much? Give it a rest, Mr. Nader. Consumers can decide what they want for themselves.

 

[jav6454]

WiMax has faster speeds and (currently) no bandwidth caps. It's only a matter of time until more major cities get WiMax. Time will tell whether it gets bandwidth caps, though that looks unlikely as they are promoting WiMax for home use, and I believe that many home users exceed 5GB per month.

Any 4G service has to be uncapped.... otherwise they have to make the cap bigger, say 15GB.

 

[JeremyWesley]

VZ doesnt get it

I , as an iPhone user who pays the bill for 2 iPhones on At&t, would jump from AT&T to VZ IF IF IF IF I could save some serious $. I think VZ is stuck on "their network is better" and people will pay for it, but honestly that's not going to get me off of AT&T to join the VZ network which I have no past experiences( good or bad) with. IF VZ ever gets the iPhone the only way they will take any substantial iPhone market share FROM AT&T is to cut prices, especially in today's age.

AT&T Customer Service has already stated that if you have an iPhone you have to pay the $30 a month, you cannot opt for the $14.99 for the iPad 250 Mb Plan ( which would be fine for me). I think this is wrong, especially if they want to charge you more for using more data.

AT&T's iPhones Days are numbers I'm Just not sure VZ knows or want to take the iPhone Market Share.