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Mobile broadband needs to be unlimited

I am a loyal Verizon customer with many friend/family recruits. I am sorry to say that I am being forced to accept an early termination fee for my mifi hotspot. It is just too easy to go over in usage. I am done paying hundreds of dollars for this service. Customer service has been great telling me all the sites to avoid, but it defeats the point of having it. There is simply not enough choice indata plans when the threshhold is paying $60 or $200 a month and niether is unlimited. Overages/reconnect fees in wireless, overdrafts in banks, fees are where they make their money and my $500 bill this month proves I succomed to it.

Comments

unknown

It's like most other things in life. If you manage it, you won't have a problem. If you don't manage it, then you will. NetMeter is an excellent tool for keeping track of your usage in real time.

tfch8184

I also would be happy if the usage was atleast a little higher than 5gb...even if its not unlimited...make it 10gb or something. I cant get internet at my house other than dial up and verizon is my only option so Im paying 120 in broadband usage to be able to stream videos (cant get cable out here either and satellite sucks).......I just manage my usage and when I get to the point where I feel I went over 4gb I just stop using my computer and move to the other one or use my phone. Im still waiting for the Ally to get 2.2 so I can get flash on my phone and stream the website I use I to watch tv.

wildon883r

If Verizon does't ante up i can get unlimted mobile broadband now from Virgin Mobile for only 40 bucks a month. I feel your pain i've been putting up with this cap crap for over a year and a half now.. If i didn't have to pay for an ETF i would of dropped Verizon after the 2nd or 3rd month. 5GB of data is nothing. If they sold 1GB for $1.50 they would still be making a heavy profit considering on a national level that 1GB of data cost less then a dollar. Though i'm happy with the speed of 3G its really second rate speed compared to the rest of the world who pay alot less for mobile broadband then we do.

dimap

Isn'tthat the truth....and you can thank deregulation and strong Corporate lobbying for things being exactly where they are in this country in regards to wireless. No competition to speak of, prices in lockstep with each other, incompatible technologies, contracts and carrier lock-ins, high usage charges, stingy data caps, obscene overage charges, upsells for tethering, navigation and other apps, mediocre bandwidth, Verizon-Google deals behind closed doors, and an FCC with no teeth to impose proper regulation and net neutrality. But this IS the late, great, USofA, bad economy, corporate bailouts, stimulus and all. Ain't it great?????

tfch8184

Ok so after debating with myself if I should call Verizon about some questions I had about my phone and also my netbooks I called and remembered at the last minute to ask about broadband limits.

From what I gathered basically the unlimited plan was dropped because of bandwith hogs and thats why it went down to 5gb. However because of so many complaints about 5gb being literally useless especially since more and more people use their computers for more than basic web browsing like music streaming tv shows etc they are planning to up the broadband usage, especially since they are going to be rolling out 4g service. Again this is what I was told... I flat out said if I would have known how easily 5gb goes then I would have said forget it and taken everything back and canceled everything phones the whole shebang. I could have gotten lesser quality reception with better data packages for cheaper but I stayed with Verizon cuz its the only service that gets full service where I live.

dbentley

I feel all of your pain. We have had the 5G plan now for 5 months and have consistently gone over all but 1 month. The problem is that we are not online very much. We check email at night for a little bit.. I have a droid and email at work so I check email there. My husband checks out some merchandise websites but we don't download movies or games - don't really watch utube or movie trailers, etc.. no gaming.. and still, we are over 1-3Gs each month. We login and then log off when we're done and I even shut off the mifi card when not in use and still, we are over by almost 3G. Our bill is very high.. each month we've been paying over $100 in overages...They did give me a credit for the first month since it was all new and I didn't know I had to log off when not in use.. my friend still has the unlimited package and I used his card as a test so I didn't have to log off. I called Verizon last night and went into one of their stores today and no help... The gal last night suggested upgrading to the next available data package, 10G which would cover my overages, but ah ha... the price goes way up from $59.99 for 5G to $199 for 10G. We calculated the overages and it came to about the same amount. This is crazy.. we only have satellite at home otherwise, we'd go back to Wild Blue which is ridiculously slow. Any ideas.. I saw some mention of a program that monitors usage.. Might give it a try... Don't know if windows update is running in background.. oh, couldn't be that.. we're using a MAC most of the time.. No explanation for the high data usage.

techismylife

micheledollman wrote:
I am a loyal Verizon customer with many friend/family recruits. I am sorry to say that I am being forced to accept an early termination fee for my mifi hotspot. It is just too easy to go over in usage. I am done paying hundreds of dollars for this service. Customer service has been great telling me all the sites to avoid, but it defeats the point of having it. There is simply not enough choice indata plans when the threshhold is paying $60 or $200 a month and niether is unlimited. Overages/reconnect fees in wireless, overdrafts in banks, fees are where they make their money and my $500 bill this month proves I succomed to it.

If you need to sign up for 2 verizon wireless accounts. It will cost you $59.99 but you can use one modem for 2 weeks and then the other for the next 2 weeks. its like getting 10gb for $120.00

sixonetonoffun

Other providers are offering unlimited (with limitations) service for as little as $40 a month. Service may vary more then with a large carrier but seriously let the competition begin!

lolive365

if it doesn't go to unlimited in 3 months then I will be paying the ETF and going to sprint and getting their unlimited.

I was in a crunch and needed to get online THAT day so that I could teach (I teach online). I will have no problem shelling out the 200 bucks to terminate this crap.

its ridiculous.

when is the 4g coming out so i can be on the lookout?

techismylife

Before anyone jumps ship to Virgin Mobile I would recommend looking at this forum....speed is a big drawback for me.

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread14182.html

wildon883r

Doing the 120 bucks using two modems/accounts is very unreasonable and outrageously pricey. What i don't understand is why Verizon keeps pushing media use on their phones. They advertise all it can do without telling people they won't be able to do much of what they advertise with current bandwidth caps. Most movies are 650mb or better. American greed is why China is the worlds biggest supplier.I wouldn't be suprised if one day a Chinese ISP ends up in the USA offering great speeds at fair prices putting the big 3 out of business someday. sheesh. We are not getting fair price for usage and thats all we really want.

lolive365

I'm not going virgin I'm going sprint 4g - they have an unlimited plan for 10 bucks less. And I decided to return this in 30 days and go do that :smileywink:

Phil97302

Verizon needs to keep up with the market. We use our laptop for most everything, including

TV. If they can't go limitless then move in that direction and fast. We are looking for alternatives.

Even though we like verizon's coverage we are looking. We don't like the limits and certainly don't like the overage charges. Which as others have pointed out, they make money on. Well they won't make money if I'm not with them.

By the way, does anyone from verizon look at this, or are we flapping our fingers in the wind?

biker_mike

5 Gig is fine for a laptop walking around, but I live out in rural USA, no DSL, no cable, so my air card is my prime internet connection unless I use dial up, 5 Gig is not enough for today's needs, and wow can't even use " back up my hard drive" on line services. And keeping windows up date and all other software updates,,, 5 Gig is too small

dimap

The funny thing is, VZW has sat on these prices and caps for 3 YEARS now, and they won't budge on 3G pricing. If you think $60/mo for 5 Gig is bad, the $40/mo for 250 MEG is the worst value for dollar on anything I have ever seen in my life, but VZW still sits on it and rakes in the bucks while prepaid offers better value if not the reliability. VZW CEO says tiered pricing on 4G is coming in 4-6 months, I shudder to think what that will actually translate to in value for dollar. And their lobbyists kick the FCC around screaming for a "hands-off" policy for wireless net neutrality. It's quite apparent why, looking at these outrageous prices. If we are ever to get net neutrality and fair consumer pricing on wireless service in this country we are going to have to adopt the European regulated model which is far superior to our corporate-controlled "free market" system.

unknown

I don't mind paying $60 a month or more if I'm getting what I pay for. I only get "broadband" at 6am. Anything much later than that and I'm competing with all the little kids texting their friends all day long. My speeds in the evening are WORSE than dialup, it's literally painful.

techismylife

you can trick the system by unplugging the modem and then reconnecting it will start you at the top tier again.

boogidy

Your comment was rude. I have never had to monitor it before and all of the sudden I have a $630 two month bill that I can't even begin to pay! What is going on? Its normally 160-170 a month. And no I'm not a you tube downloading always on fanatic. Nothing has changed but my bill the last two months.

Darney

The most interesting development is that Virgin IS offering unlimited 3G for $40/month! Here's the ironic part: They're using Verizon's network to provide this service.

The only (minor) drawback is that you'll have to buy the Virgin MIFI2200 or USB stick... apparently, the Verizon MIFI won't work with it.

I have 5 months left on my contract... then, guess what?

Verizon, are you monitoring your forums??

sixonetonoffun

I like Virgin but the service seems to be throttled during peek hours. I get better then Verizon speeds the rest of the time. But during prime time say 5pm to 9pm its nearly unusable. I believe here its on Sprints network.

I am very likely to drop Verizon in a few months when my 12 month contract expires. It offers little value for the additional $19.00 a month and 5Gbs is just not realistic for me. Often its fine but some months I might install a few Gbs in updates to my OS and applications alone.

Added value service such as 4G isn't likely to be in my area so will not likely be an incentive to stay on here.

liztnt123

I had a outrageous bill last billing cycle also. I went 1 G of the 5G limit and was charged 190.00 .They have a 10GB plan, but charged be 190 for 1G. I sent a complaint to customer service and got half the overage charge refunded and 10% discount on the new 10GB / 80.00 a month plan.

Now I'm struggling with the Mifi2200 they sent me , since the UM150 I had with the 5GB plan wont work with the 10GB plan.

NoMoreMiFi

Take it from me- I have Unlimited WiFi- and Verizon just Capped it because I went over the "unlimited" usage which is still 5gb! Not something I knew about in my contract!!

Some recent news has been brought to my attention by Verizon Wireless' customer service department, and I think that given the severity of Verizon Wireless’ continued breach of contract to Internet customers, this matter should be brought to everyone's attention as well.

I originally purchased a Verizon Wireless USB Internet Card in 2007. I was offered a plan that entitled me to an “Unlimited Internet Usage Allowance”. I kept the same wireless Internet device for two years and never acquired any issues or concerns. On January 20th, 2010, I went into a Verizon store and was offered a free upgrade to the new MiFi Mobile HotSpot. I was told that I could test the product for 30 days to make sure that it worked to my standards and my Internet needs. It worked perfectly. I used it for multiple computers in my home, as well as work and travel.

My problem with the Verizon MiFi began on October 21st, 2010 when my Internet suddenly became extremely slow and unable to access any web pages without minutes of waiting. I continued to call customer service and go into the Verizon stores throughout the month in hopes that someone could find a ‘glich’ and solve my issue of what soon became No Internet access. I did all this with patience and good faith, as I have continued to pay $60 a month for “High speed 3G” service. Two weeks ago, I took the MiFi device into the store and requested a new device since it became entirely defective. My new device arrived in the mail and I have still spent the last week going through the ring-around circus of Tech support and the only logic they can come up with is, "Either the device is defective or my computer is too old." This is not the case, as I recently purchased a new laptop.

What I discovered was that Verizon neglected to inform me for the past two months that I had gone over my "undisclosed usage threshold" (Eventhough I pay for Unlimited Allowance) and now my internet speed has been capped and I am unable to access the Internet. I spent 4 hours on the phone yesterday and weaved my way into a small department called "AIT" which is supposedly a new sub-contracted company that is suppose to help negotiate my "situation". They of course are closed, and my numerous voice mails will most likely never be returned.

At this point, I am still paying for something that does not work, and Verizon has taken it upon themselves to decide "how often" I can use the internet. This was not disclosed to me in my contract that I signed in Jan 2010, when I continued my Wireless plan for "unlimited usage allowance."
I want everyone to be aware of this, before they head out this holiday season and spend hundreds of dollars on a Verizon Wireless Internet Deivice, and eventually will have to deal with the same nonsense I'm currently going through right now!

NoHSIforme

Has anyone seen that HUGEsnet commerical where that guys is dragging that network cable through the country side.....

I really thought about doing that.

I'm located about 5 miles from my town, around a lake with 50+ houses. Verizon is only phone service provider since AT&T can not touch my area. The ONLY internet avalible is AT&T 3G Card (which my house is only in a 2g network) or Verizon 3G. I have tried Hugesnet.. (BIG JOKE). AT&T lately I have been getting 4 bars (edge) too a steadly 1 bar. If I don't touch the phone I get that 4 bars :smileyhappy: . Used to get full bars..... When my AT&T contract ends, they're gonna lose another "loyal" customer from 10 years

I have spent hours on the phone asking about why DSL isn't supported but phone service is. Its been about 2 years I been asking and calling.

My MiFi speed is nice, I have no problems with speed... but if the speed is too fast.... very easy you can go over. One month I hit 4.9gigs 2 weeks before it renews. There is 1 desktop and a Iphone connected..

So basically for my college needs, I need high speed. The data cap kills that...

Specially if I have to stream data and video in order to do my school work. Plus if there are updates (MicroSoft, Adobe, etc), there goes my internet cap. I don't download movies, music or porn.....

Only reason I think of, they will not come out an install DSL cuz there making more money letting people go over the caps. Makes them more money for MiFi than DSL. (GREED)

Just very fusterating for me and probably the other people that live around me. Sad that I have to go to the nearest McDonalds to do homework for hours on end.

I can see why there is cap for those people that have several ways to get internet.. but out on my lake.. there isn't a option...

In my eyes Verizon is monolopizing my area. (can't use spell check... that will use up more of my data)

And please don't say "if you don't like it go somewhere else" There is no one else... (told by customer service on phone)

thepres69

I can relate to the 5G "Cap" I am also one of the few fortunate ones to have an unlimited data plan.

We need to remember to be one of the few you had to live through un-reliable and very slow... sometimes only 100Kb... until they got their act together. And now just when it randomly drops your IP and you almost always get that blazing 1Meg super speed they start punishing you for going over 5Gig and try and sell you on this NEW 10 Gig plan so they can get the 5Gig limited plan folks to pay for their new upgrades.

I am being persecuted as others have been by getting speed capped. Yes, when you go over that 5gig "Limit" you get reduced to 200Kb for the next 28 days. And never mind asking for a copy of this business model, policy, memo or meeting notes... you "ain't gettin one". Can you imagine what the Judge would say if you could get it to court.... ??????? Reminds me of the law suits against SBC back in the day. And all this for Christmas.... ????

I just wish some days I had a few more options... like an ISP from Japan... They know how to provide Broadband services and put big Tyrants out of business....

Just wanted to add my two cents after having delt with Fraud and Investigation to get my first time 28 day speed cap removed "out of the goodness of my heart". I am back to my lightning speed of 1.3Mb down and 320Kb Up... and all this for $60 a month and all the fun of being on hold for 3 hours to get the speed cap removed... Gosh what more could one ask for...

Just waiting for the Sprint tower to be fitted up 4G.... unlimited!

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