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Data Use Question

Ok, Im new to data use, etc.

Im looking into hooking my Mom up with the 5 Gig plan at her rural location in OH. To perfom a laymen test, I downloaded netmeter, and simply surfed the net, off an on, at my leisure (at night, off work) with random sites, videos, emails, pics, etc...for 2 days now.

Again, Im new....but netmeter shows my total usage (download and upload) at 9.6 GB. Is this right? For 2 days? I hit a Metallica video (thats right!) on youtube twice, a handfull of saved emails pics from a digital camera, and many other random google searches, several normal webpages, onling banking...all the normal stuff I do with my normal cable broadband. You know, to gauge will this work for her???

She will use her laptop, I might guess, ABOUT the same as I have in last couple days. Am I reading the numbers from netmeter wrong? Minus the videos, I gather that eats a lot of data...etc....can a little old lady in rural OH make it on 5 Gigs a month? Emailing, light surfing...avoiding videos...etc?

Thanks for any input.

Comments

unknown

For the past several months I have used 4 to 5 to 6 GB per month. This month it looks like I am going to use just over 10 GB because I watched lots of football on Justin.tv. I have Verizon Broadband and Charter cable. She should be OK if she stays away from video and music downloads.

davidpatey1000

Follow up. I wonder, if for whatever reason, the data usage I'm showing will differ? As in, I'm using a HP Mini Netbook with cable broadband....would that somehow differ from the broadband card?

Also, for the record, she is on the way to Verizon to get set up. They apparantly offer a 30 day trial, which sounds fishy for some odd reason....so I will post back with the latest soon. Thanks again.

unknown

The 30 day trial is legit. You can cancel anytime during the first 30 days and not have to pay an early termination fee. I also use NetMeter to track usage. It does not distinguish between cable, dsl, or Mobile broadband. Usage is usage, regardless of the connection.

Greg4Wireless

The return policy on a Mobilebroad device is....

Within 3 days you can return and get a FULL refund (including your ACTIVATION fee ($35)). you would only be responsible

for the DATA you pulled thru the device in 3 days.

Within 30 days you can return the device and you will get a FULL REFUND (however, you forfeit the activation fee return).

You would be responsible for any data pulled thru the device.

After 30 days, you are in a contract (1 or 2 year, which ever one you signed up for).

If you dont buy directly from Verizon (such as Bestbuy) make sure they followup. they didn't cancel my contract, and I got a bill for some $235.00 (go figure).

I think the Verizon folks follow up on things a bit more.

Doodle

How old is this little old lady.

If she doesn't watch videos, download music, etc. she should be fine as long as she has a good signal. If she is getting a Mobile Broadband signal that is good. If she gets National Access it will be as slow or slower than dial up. Trying to load a normal page can eat away at the MB if it's on National Access.

For 6 months I loved Verizon Wireless. It was great then suddenly large amount of overage. If she is on a fixed income make sure she doesn't set up payment from her checking account. The 7th month my bill was $250.00 this would have cost me a lot more had it been taken from my checking account.

It's been 4 months and I'm still waiting for them to fix the tower so that I get the signal I was getting in the beginning.

Good luck.

Travis1

steaming video and music will eat your data usage in a day or 2. you just have to pace yourself and watch your usuage. it tells you your new amount everyday.

unknown

The Verizon usage meter can lag 2 or 3 days at times. Use NetMeter for accurate usage.

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