Verizon Viewing iPad as Opportunity to Push MiFi Service

[alexhasfun28]

Omg, here we go again Verizon? When will you guys ever stop. Just suck it up, & know that you've tried your best at trying to get at it. Apple has had a longer, friendlier, and workable relationship with At&t for atleast more then 5 years.
Apple is known for their speedy and amazing products in a thin device. THAT'S WHY THEY MARKET THEM! That's why they want a good, fast data network- AT&T. People just baisically want "service". But what they really do want is reliability at the mobile browser. Verizon and reliabilty in mobile browsing don't mix! Verizon doesn't even get service at all over the place. Sprint has faster service.
For what at&t price plan is asking for, I think it's just fine & workable. & should be.
You get fast 3G speeds, rolloverminutes, talk & browse, at&t wifi hotspots, etc. And all for starting price at $70(plus unlimited text for 20 dollars more.)
Like I said, people are mostly looking for service, but what they don't get is that the service is pretty much slow. Atleast that's what I've heard and experience everyother week on tech websites.

 

[SandynJosh]

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.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you wanted to put your Droid into the mifi mode to serve your iPad, would Verizon know? How would they charge you an extra charge? Wouldn't it look to Verizon as if you were surfing the web with your Droid?

Curious minds want to know.

 

[SandynJosh]

I'm pretty sure I'm going to go this route.

Great or the iPad, good to have it for the laptop always by my side. 5gb cap isn't an issue at all.

I'm thinking just buy the device, verizon has it listed at about $250 and then you're month to month. Not a bad deal all around.

Why not get a Droid for $99.95 and put it into mifi mode? Just asking, because I can't see how Verizon can tell if you're using your Droid to surf or using it as a mifi to surf with your laptop or iPad.

I may be missing something... anyone see the hole in my thinking?

 

[RalfTheDog]

I just purchased one from eXpansys (For use on ATT). it should arrive tomorrow. I will do some speed trials vs my USB connect Lightning (USB card) and my cable modem. (I think my cable modem might win.)

Edited because I was not clear when I said I had just purchased one, I was talking about a MiFi 2372 (For ATT).

 

[RalfTheDog]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if you wanted to put your Droid into the mifi mode to serve your iPad, would Verizon know? How would they charge you an extra charge? Wouldn't it look to Verizon as if you were surfing the web with your Droid?

Curious minds want to know.

The web browser on your device identifies itself to the web servers it connects with. If Verizon wanted, they could packet sniff you out. You might get around this by setting up a VPN to your house. This would slow things down a bit, you would be a bit more secure.

 

[SandynJosh]

I'll stick with Verizon for a phone, and buy a 32GB 3G iPad when they come out...

I too live in a strong Verizon/weak AT&T area and am leaning toward the same solution you are going toward.

There may be a second advantage to your solution and that is, if you were to use Verizon for your data connection instead of AT&T, you might find that your incoming calls would ring busy when you are using the data connection.

I may be all wet with that statement, but nothing here is really plain and simple to me.

 

[goobot]

I hate AT&T. I personally have two phones. A Verizon phone for business and the iPhone for email, Apps and because I love the iPhone. I drop way too many calls to consider using it for business, that is why I have the Verizon phone.

Here is my idea. Maybe you guys can help me out.

The Verizon MiFi 2200 is a pretty small WiFi hotspot. iPhone now allows Wifi applications such as Skype on their network.

Would it be too crazy to somehow piggyback the MiFi onto the back of the iPhone and just use the Verizon service from the MiFi through Skype for phone and data coverage for emails etc?

I would take the extra inch on the back of the phone to actually be able to make calls and get service...

The MiFi is $60 a month.

You would no longer need AT&T voice/data service. Correct?

All of the Apps and WiFi Phone service should work etc.. Correct?

If Verizon would make the MiFi "unlimited", then people could essentially have Verizon iPhone..

Just an idea.. please chime in and let me know what you think..

you would get termination fees

you also would be getting as good of a service since its not native and then you have to pay for separate apps that dont work well. but yes you can

 

[gibbz]

I have a friend who just drove from Kansas City to Atlanta. He has an iPhone and for most of the trip his travel buddy laughed that he had to borrow his Verizon phone to make calls. AT&T is horrible. I had them and they suck...period. It is a shame that such an awesome phone is on such a crappy carrier.

Again, it depends on location.

I took a road trip this summer from OK->TX->NM->AZ->UT->CO->TX->OK and was rarely without AT&T service. Data worked fine for a majority of the time. I have had very few issues with AT&T in the 5 years of being a customer.

 

[fox10078]

I got one dropped call in febuary. Guess it all depends on where you're at.

 

[jb510]

Personally I just spent five days traveling including 4 different airports. In none of them did I pay for WiFi.

Usually I just tethered my iPhone (JB'd with PDAnet) to my MacBook for internet access over 3G, but in PHL where they have ATTWiFi my iPhone got free Wifi which in turn was also tethered to my MacBook... Sweet.

The only reason I mention all this is that if I were to get an iPad (not planning on it yet) I wonder if one will be able to do the same. Obviously a wired solution is unlikely, but will it be able to SETUP an ad-hoc WiFi network the way a laptop can and hence share the internet connection on my iPhone? Will it require jail-breaking the iPad?

 

[LucidPsychosis]

The contract isn't a problem for me, but the pricing is just outrageous IMO, particularly since AT&T is offering unlimited for half the price as Verizon's 5GB data plan.

Frankly, I would never need unlimited, and I doubt I could use 5GB in a month, but I would certainly use over 250 MB a month. I think a 1GB option would be perfect for me, but no one's offering that.

Edit: also, I'm a verizon customer (blackberry storm, sigh), and I would love to get an iPhone, but AT&T coverage really sucks in my area. It's ironic because when AT&T was Cingular, they prided themselves on having the fewest dropped calls and such. one more thing: I have an iPod touch, and when I'm on wi-fi, it is infinitely faster than verizon's 3G (but that's still better than AT&T.

 

[Digitalclips]

Most people look at the up front cost and disregard the long term price.

Know any you can send my way? I have a Mercedes for sale, only $100 .... (and $1000 a month for the next four years!)

 

[RalfTheDog]

Again, it depends on location.

I took a road trip this summer from OK->TX->NM->AZ->UT->CO->TX->OK and was rarely without AT&T service. Data worked fine for a majority of the time. I have had very few issues with AT&T in the 5 years of being a customer.

Storm chasing?

 

[TheWatchfulOne]

...my iPhone got free Wifi which in turn was also tethered to my MacBook...

The MacBook has Airport built in. No need to tether when WiFi is available.

I hate AT&T. I personally have two phones. A Verizon phone for business and the iPhone for email, Apps and because I love the iPhone. I drop way too many calls to consider using it for business, that is why I have the Verizon phone.

Here is my idea. Maybe you guys can help me out.

The Verizon MiFi 2200 is a pretty small WiFi hotspot. iPhone now allows Wifi applications such as Skype on their network.

Would it be too crazy to somehow piggyback the MiFi onto the back of the iPhone and just use the Verizon service from the MiFi through Skype for phone and data coverage for emails etc?

I would take the extra inch on the back of the phone to actually be able to make calls and get service...

The MiFi is $60 a month.

You would no longer need AT&T voice/data service. Correct?

All of the Apps and WiFi Phone service should work etc.. Correct?

If Verizon would make the MiFi "unlimited", then people could essentially have Verizon iPhone..

Just an idea.. please chime in and let me know what you think..

iPhone has always allowed Skype connections over WiFi. It is AT&T which has recently started to allow Skype connections over their 3G cellular network.

Not sure what you mean by "WiFi Phone service". WiFi and Phone service are two different things. If you cancel AT&T you will not have phone service but the WiFi will still work. Apps will still work. This will not give you a Verizon iPhone. This will give you an "iPod touch" connected to Verizon's network.

 

[Rocketman]

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.

Is this only for "still in contract" phones, or could I shift my PayGo iPhone to an iPad plan?

It may be the iPad plan is a "teaser rate" to keep exclusivity during the interim period till LTE is real at which time AT&T's actual leg up will transition low priced iPad 3G customers, or a large portion of them to a high priced actual mobile broadband AT&T variant 4G plan.

Rocketman

 

[maehara]

Those data charges are steep...!

I have a pay-as-you-go MiFi on the 3 network in the UK: £49.99 for the device, buy top-ups (which last either 30 days or until the data allowance is used, whichever comes first) for £10 (1GB), £15 (3GB) or £25 (7GB). Far more reasonable than what Verizon's charging, and no contract commitment.

Have it for use with my MBA & fully planning on using it with the iPad - I'm not expecting to use it away from home often enough to make the extra cost of the 3G version & a data plan for it worthwhile. But a low-cost MiFi service? That'll do nicely...

 

[stars_fan]

I plan on using my Sprint Overdrive that my work provides for my iPad. Cool thing is I'm getting 4G even at my house.

4G from Sprint is also unlimited unlike everyones 3G 5GB caps.

 

[gibbz]

Storm chasing?

No, but I have done long trips for that before. This one was just a personal trip to see the Grand Canyon and some parks in Utah and Colorado.

 

[creamandchives]

$50 dongle, 2 year contract, higher monthly fees, all in order to save $130 in up-front cost. I must be missing something. I don't see that as anything even close to a good deal. That $130 gets accounted out after less than 3 months on Verizon.

And the inconvenience of carrying a random device seperate to the iPad itself just so you can go online!!!

 

[devinci99]

"$39.99 per month for 250 MB of data or $59.99 per month for 5 GB of data"

unless I can write it off as a business expense for accounting, and make real money from it; this is way too much for casual and personal use for me.

I can understand professionals who needs this to make a living, but that price is way too much for even for me, and I earn a respectable salary.

I can't imagine how anyone else with lower income could afford to keep paying this and get so little for personal/family use.

It's an interesting opportunity for Verizon, but they need to aggressively price their mifi plans; perhaps release a new hardware for just 1 wifi client, and price it the same as a 3G plan for the ipad.

This would appeal to ipad customers to pickup a wifi instead of the 3G plan and use it with Verizon single client mifi device (if the plans are the same). Heck, for 2 year contract, make the monthly plan a little cheaper and give the mifi unit for free.

 

[blipper]

I've been using a MiFi since the beginning of December for both my Macbook Pro and my iPhone(in the many places in Maryland and Pennsylvania where ATT is weak). I paid the full (no contract) price and $40 a month for the low cap. I use free WiFi where it's available, ATT 3G (for the iPhone) where that's available and VZW WiFi through the MiFi as the third line of connectivity. Have not exceeded the limit yet. Biggest drawback is the battery time is a little short, about 3-4 hours and the device has a tendency to turn itself on.

 

[RalfTheDog]

I've been using a MiFi since the beginning of December for both my Macbook Pro and my iPhone(in the many places in Maryland and Pennsylvania where ATT is weak). I paid the full (no contract) price and $40 a month for the low cap. I use free WiFi where it's available, ATT 3G (for the iPhone) where that's available and VZW WiFi through the MiFi as the third line of connectivity. Have not exceeded the limit yet. Biggest drawback is the battery time is a little short, about 3-4 hours and the device has a tendency to turn itself on.

The retailer that sold me mine told me about an external battery pack that will recharge the device three or four times before it needs to be recharged. 12 hours does not sound like a bad running time. If I remember, the external pack costs about $100. They did have a more expensive one that had a faster recharge time.

I just did a quick web search. I found this.

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2794/64/

I don't know if the device or the company are any good.

Edited to say, I just did some checking around. You can get it much cheaper at Amazon.

 

[demodave]

Well done VZ

I am not speaking for anyone else, but in my opinion, this is a brilliant move by Verizon, and also possibly very good for Apple.

I think it's a good move because it gives people more options. Having options, even if they are bad ones for you, personally, is always a good thing. My choice will be "no thanks", because AT&T meets my cell phone needs and my 3G needs where I currently live. YMMV.

The market will determine whether Verizon's price is right. The extant conditions of the CDMA/GSM/WiMax/LTE network will determine what is right for any given customer. YMMV. There will always be (some) customers for whom 250MB/1GB/5GB is "too much/little". YMMV. There will always be customers who say "Verizon/AT&T sucks" and "no, Verizon/AT&T is the best". YMMV. Different people have different needs. And there will always be people out there who fail to understand the above indicated conditions. YMMV.

The benefit of Verizon waking up is that it gives more device users more choices. And Verizon finally get a piece of the Apple pie that they so obviously covet. (I hope they *choke* on their little Misfit Toys!) And if 5% of Verizon's cell phone customers are now able to go out and justify buying an iPad or an iPod Touch or can find some way to break their iPhone to their own benefit, that's better for *me*, because Apple sells more hardware (4 million extra units shipped wouldn't suck).

Now, with all that YMMV stuff out there, it would certainly be nice to see some "CAFE" standards, but that just ain't gonna happen. The big guys are fat, so they need to eat more than the rest of us, and their pockets are deeper, so it takes more money to fill them!

Go Apple, go long. Go LTE, go fast.

DD

 

[macintoshtoffy]

Don't forget to get rid of the ridiculous 5GB cap on the "unlimited" plan.

If it has a 5GB limit then why is it called 'unlimited' in the first place? Thats a bit like saying, "all you can eat, but you can only go up to the buffet three times".

 

[flynz4]

I have been using a Verizon MiFi since last summer. I hate the $60/month fees, but it is still cheaper for me than the hotel internet charges that I would incur each month at $10 (or higher) per night. Unfortunately, the nicer hotels generally charge... and I am not about to start staying at econo-hotels just to get free internet.

I really do not know if the iPad will accommodate my personal needs while traveling. If it does, then I would drop my MiFi service, and get a $30 iPad contract instead. I am not convinced that the iPad will be sufficient to replace my laptop... so until I can prove otherwise, I will keep my MiFi and use an iPad as a WiFi device without yet another service plan.

/Jim