Better way to do things?

[andreah]

This may be a **bleep** question but I'm hoping someone out there has some ideas.  I currently have the family plan (700) with one other phone (the hubby).  I also have wireless broadband that I hook into my desktop at home.  I think I have a um150 but not home right now, not positive but it's usb.  We're really starting to feel the pinch price-wise but need everything we have right now.  Live in the boonies so dsl is not an option.  Is there an easier and cheaper way to have broadband at home thru vzw?  I've tried researching it myself but am on information overload.  It looks like you can get phone broadband for cheaper than using a usb device but is there some sort of stipulation that it can't be used on your computer, etc?  I hope you know what I 'm trying to say.  And if you can connect the phone to the computer to use for broadband, can you still use your phone at the same time? 

Or, should I just keep what I have and not complain?  I love my usb device but the plan is so expensive compared to what other people pay for dsl, so not fair......

[nmchileman]

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andreah wrote:

This may be a **bleep** question but I'm hoping someone out there has some ideas.  I currently have the family plan (700) with one other phone (the hubby).  I also have wireless broadband that I hook into my desktop at home.  I think I have a um150 but not home right now, not positive but it's usb.  We're really starting to feel the pinch price-wise but need everything we have right now.  Live in the boonies so dsl is not an option.  Is there an easier and cheaper way to have broadband at home thru vzw?  I've tried researching it myself but am on information overload.  It looks like you can get phone broadband for cheaper than using a usb device but is there some sort of stipulation that it can't be used on your computer, etc?  I hope you know what I 'm trying to say.  And if you can connect the phone to the computer to use for broadband, can you still use your phone at the same time? 

Or, should I just keep what I have and not complain?  I love my usb device but the plan is so expensive compared to what other people pay for dsl, so not fair......

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What you're talking about here is called Mobile Broadband Connect. It is a feature that costs $49.99 a month and allows you to use your phone as a modem instead of the dedicated USB device you have. It's $10 cheaper than the 5GB/$59.99 Broadband plan but it still gives you 5GB of access a month. While your phone is tethered and being used as a modem you will not be able to make/receive calls on it.

You'll want to double check with Customer Service to make sure your specific phone is compatible with this feature, and they'll be able to add it for you if you want it.

"I love my usb device but the plan is so expensive compared to what other people pay for dsl, so not fair......"

You pay a premium for your mobile broadband plan because it's wireless and mobile. You can take it with you anywhere there's cell coverage. If you're paying for installed DSL in your home you only get to use it while at home, can't take it with you. Sounds pretty fair to me...

[andreah1]

Sounds like saving 10 bucks may not really be worth it to not be able to use my cell phone while surfing (which is alot).  But, I still think it's unfair to people that live in the country having to pay more for something.  I could care less if it's mobile or not, I just need fast internet service and my only two choices are satellite (even more expensive than vzw) or the wireless thru vzw...they have us by the pants and it's not fair.  But, I suppose that's another one of those "because you live in the country" things! 

[nmchileman]

Whether or not you couldn't care less, that's still the reason you pay a premium for your wireless services, because it's mobile.

Have you heard any information about what's going on with the FCC and proposals for the National Broadband Plan? You should read up on it because it specifically targets and affects people such as yourself who live in rural areas with limited access to high speed internet.

You can learn more about this plan at www.broadband.gov 

I also suggest googling "National Broadband Plan" to find lots of good articles and information about this initiative.

[andreah1]

I will do that, thanks....have been told by our verizon guy says it will be a very long time....we're the only house on our road and had to pay to have electricity brought in.  I guess if you want to live in the country you have to pay dearly.