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Non 4G Area
Gretzinger
Newbie
‎02-09-2011 05:11 AM

Pretty confident and read the forums first page and got solid confirmation that a 3G area will still be supported on the 4G phones coming out.   My main question and concern would be this:  Due to not being in a 4G area and not likely for a good year, AND due for an upgrade right now, if I upgraded to a 4G capable device would I be required to pay any additional expense while not able to benefit from 4G

 

Prime example of a completely terrible business plan by another provider was their 4G network wasn't in the service area and yet they were still charging their customers an additional $10 for their data plan because they had a 4G device.

 

Is the same going to be true for Verizon's 4G equipment, or will they be smart and allow customers to continue with their normal data packages (and if they must, charge only the people who will benefit from 4G)?

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Re: Non 4G Area
dirkbonn
Specialist - Level 1
‎02-09-2011 06:35 AM

The reason for charging the 4G fee even though you are not in a 4G area is because you will be able to access 4G service if you roam into a 4G area.  Now, not that you would do this but you can be darn sure many would......  They would register their 4G phone at "grandmas" address (That happens to not be in a 4G service area)  when they actually live in a 4G service area.  Theyby getting free 4G service.  

 

 So, the rule is, if you have a phone capable of accessing 4G service, you have to pay whether you can access 4G service all the time or not.  Bottom line.... if you don't want to pay the 4G fee, don't buy a 4G capable phone. (at least not until 4G service in is the area where you spend your time)

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Re: Non 4G Area
Gretzinger
Newbie
‎02-09-2011 06:50 AM

While I can appreciate your response and logically I get your point, I would have to disagree.  The technlogy is definitely harnessable by Verizon, they can turn on and off 4G for anyone they want.  What I would be I guess suggesting they do is allow 3g Data plans to be used for a 4g device while someone is not in the 4g area; there by taking away your concern about people traveling to visit 4G areas to use it "not paying for it."

 

It's not that challenging of a concept really, allow 3G data plans for a 4G phone since the 4G phone is already 3G capable as an alternative.

 

There's zero need to force someone to pay for a service they are not able to utilize.

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Re: Non 4G Area
dirkbonn
Specialist - Level 1
‎02-09-2011 07:19 AM

Well, The ability to turn someones ability to access 4G service on or off with a 4G phone may be possible (I don't know for sure that it is)  but I'm going to say that even if it is possible, Verizon is not going to screw with it.

I'm just saying, in my opinion, and you heard it here first.... if you have a 4G capable Verizon phone, you will pay a 4G fee even if you're not in a 4G area. 

 

In actuallity, I would hope that you are correct because at this time, I would like to have a Droid Bionic but I live in Honolulu and 4G service is not available here yet. It is at the Honolulu airport but I live about 15/20 miles away.  I don't anticipate Verizon will have 4G LTE service over the whole island until late 2011 or early 2012.

Hey, good luck whatever you decide to do..... :smileyhappy:

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Re: Non 4G Area
Elkhornsun
Newbie
‎03-17-2011 08:04 PM
I upgrades from a Pantech UM175 3G modem to a Pantech UML290 4G modem. Initially the performance was the same, i.e. terrible and barely better than dial-up with POT. Changed modem settings to Mobile IP Off and Auto CDMA ON and saw dramatic 400% improvement with the new modem using the same 3G tower. Realistically speaking with an old modem the level of tech support is going to decline over time and part of the cost of being with Verizon is the need to upgrade periodically to the latest models to have a prayer of getting a problem resolved.
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Re: Non 4G Area
bogy25
Newbie
‎03-18-2011 12:09 PM

I have to agree - I just ordered the Thunderbolt and didn't even check to see what the 4G coverage was in my area - well, there is none!  Now I have the phone fedex'd and arriving in two days.  What should I do?  Can I just not open it and send back?  Should I keep it and hope that 4G will be in my area sometime within the next year?  By then my contract will be up and I will probably want a new phone.  I don't think you should have to pay for the service if you are not using is and the phone should be programmed to just not work on 4G if you don't pay.  CDMA technology lets you do that. 

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Re: Non 4G Area
rcschnoor
Legend
‎03-18-2011 12:41 PM
bogy25 wrote:

I have to agree - I just ordered the Thunderbolt and didn't even check to see what the 4G coverage was in my area - well, there is none!  Now I have the phone fedex'd and arriving in two days.  What should I do?  Can I just not open it and send back?  Should I keep it and hope that 4G will be in my area sometime within the next year?  By then my contract will be up and I will probably want a new phone.  I don't think you should have to pay for the service if you are not using is and the phone should be programmed to just not work on 4G if you don't pay.  CDMA technology lets you do that. 

There is no difference in cost between the Thunderbolt and a 3G phone. Phone plans are the same, unlimited data is the same($29.99) and texting is the same. You will just be using the Thunderbolt as a 3G phone if you do not have 4G service available.

 

No reason to send the Thunderbolt back. You won't be saving anything, since there is no price difference in 4G and 3G service at this time. If that changes in the future, you will already be in your plan and (should be)safe from price changes.

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