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Unlimited MIFI

I have an unlimited 3g data plan with a Mifi2200. I have read a lot of posts today regarding how to change a grandfathered unlimited 3g data to 4g unlimited on a smartphone. So why is it not possible to do the same with a Mifi data plan? I have repeatedly been told that if I buy a 4g device, it would not work on my unlimited data plan. Why would it on a smartphone data plan?

Comments

ChaunceyM_VZW

Hello lalaelha! I can address your concerns about your plan options when you upgrade! You have the option to keep unlimted data on that line, if you purchase your next phone for the full retail price. Accepting a discounted phone, will mean that you must choose a tiered data plan. We offer a 2GB, 5GB or 10GB plan options. Please let me know if you need additional assistance.

ChaunceyM_VZW

Ann154

Please read the original message again. The OP is asking about unlimited data plan for a MIFI device and upgrading it to a 4G LTE version.

SteadiFX

To answer the OP's question:

Via the FCC, Verizon cannot tell you which device you put that SIM card in. You must first change the plan from 3G to 4G by borrowing a friend's 4G phone and activating it on your line. If you don't already have a SIM card, bringing the phone into a Verizon store and asking to activate it should get you a free SIM card. Once 4G LTE is associated with your SIM card, you can move that SIM from device to device and retain unlimited data (and your friend can have their phone back).

Ann154

Wrong. The broadband data plans on Verizon Wireless are quite different from the smartphone data plans. A 4G LTE USB modem, MiFi devices were NEVER allowed on an unlimited broadband data plan. For the OP to keep their unlimited broadband data plan, they need to keep purchasing 3G only broadband devices.

SteadiFX

This doesn't mean you can't do it. Sad that the government had to step in and regulate instead of consumer demand doing the job. I recently upgraded my unlimited data plan from a 3G iPhone 4 to a 4G iPhone 5 and retained unlimited data. I also have my MiFi 4510L on an unlimited 4G LTE SIM attained by the method described. Would I lie about this? I've done it myself. The photos don't lie:

unknown

Expect Verizon to end that practice sooner than later so enjoy while you can. 87 GB huh? It's people like you why unlimited is going away.

commonsense101

If you don't like verizon is offering, no one is making you stay. You have the freedom to choose any carrier you want

no go away, god bless 'merika

android_wiz

is that a prepaid mobile broadband?

android_wiz

oh i just called custoemr service and found out about your "unlimited data" photo there see you only got that from being in alltel

note:

In 2013, Verizon Wireless will be retiring the portion of the former Alltel Data Network (referred to as Alltel DNR) it now owns and operates. This will impact customers who use Alltel-branded Mobile Broadband (MBB) devices.

Alltel Mobile Broadband Upgrade Offer encourages select customers using data on their Alltel-branded Mobile Broadband devices to upgrade to a Verizon Wireless device with special equipment offers.

Offers will be available 10/1/12 through 3/31/13.

Customers with Alltel-branded MBB devices are invited to upgrade to a free Verizon Wireless 4G USB Modem or Jetpack.

4G Pantech UML290 (UML290VW-G)
4G LTE VZW USB551L USB Modem (USB551L)
4G Jetpack (MiFi4620L or EUFI890L)

MBB customers who are In-Contract and would like to keep their unlimited data plan, must be changed to the following VZW 4G Unlimited Plan:

so its nothing that you did or pulled over there heads its somehting THERE OFFERING due to getting rid of alltel and by the status of your upgrade date you got the mifi in july became upset because you cant control how much your on the internet calling in and but october they just put you on the promotion but as soon as you use that upgrade again BYE_BYE unlimited unless your buying at full retail

BigLizard

OK, I think I have some input to help clarify many of the confusions set in this thread. Firstly, the OP has a 3G grandfathered DATA plan. Likely this is the old prepaid one where you get unlimited 3G for like $10-$15 bucks a month, $30 for 3 months, etc. This plan was designed originally for 3G MiFi's such as the Novatel MiFi2200 and similar devices.

The reason why you can't put this plan on a 4G device is (even grandfathered) is because when the customer service rep or any other Verizon agent goes to swap out that device, when a 4G device is placed, the system will automatically say that this is not a compatible device for this plan. Each and every single device, whether it's data hotspot, modem, or phone (or otherwise), is assigned a device type code in it's database that when added to an account / plan the system uses to determine how it's being charged and/or if it's for that kind of device. This is done automatically so that you can't (for example) assign a smartphone to a plan for mobile broadband or home phone connect, etc. It also determines qualification for a certain price plans or features. A good example of this is: when 4G smartphones were first emerging on the scene early last year (2012) Verizon offered that 4 for 2 promotional data package (feature); where you paid the same $30 for 4GB of data instead of 2GB. Of course, as this was a promo, you could not keep it if you changed back to a 3G or basic phone. When you attempt to swap out that 4G smartphone for something other than another 4G smartphone you would instantly lose that promo because the system will see that the device you are trying to use is/was not designed for this device type. This is the very same reason why you cannot use a 4G MiFi hotspot or "Jetpack" on this plan. Simply put, the system will just reject the plan / device to be compatible.

The other confusion is now about smartphones... The unlimited data feature/package was not specific to 3G or 4G phones; just to smartphones in general (not basic phones). For this reason, people are able to swap out their 3G smartphones that have the unlimited data package to a 4G smartphone (which uses a SIM card) and therefore resulting in unlimited 4G data. Because some 4G phones uses the same SIM card (size and type) as 4G jetpacks, once a SIM card has been activated on a smartphone with unlimited data it can then be pulled out of that phone and stuck into a 4G MBB modem or 'Jetpack'...

Now keep in mind, this SIM is still gonna be on a phone plan that supports unlimited data (like the old Nationwide series of plans) so you're gonna be paying for that plan plus the $29.99/month for the unlimited data... which results in no less than about $60 a month... And of course, this is so long as Verizon is still allowing that grandfathered data package to exist...

'Bottom line is -- this is a smartphone data thing you would have had grandfathered into... NOT a broadband plan... so essentially, we are talking about apples vs oranges... That is why you can't use the grandfathered mobile 3G data plan on a 4G data device; it (the plan) is simply not designed for 4G and specifically for 3G... The billing system will treat this swap the same way as putting phone onto a data only plan; rejected.

I hope this clears up some of that confusion I am reading on this thread.

BigLizard

Some people may not necessarily like this answer, but I promise you that this is the correct answer.

Ann154

I hope you also realized that you were responding to a discussion started in October 2012 and hadn't been touched since January 2013. Isn't this a kind of old topic to be bringing up to the foreground again?

BigLizard

Yeah, I realize that... But I suppose that it's better than having the question left unanswered.

ScottLSlade

Have you ever gotten slowed for this, or had repercussions from Verizon?

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