For a while I was using the USB 727 modem that I could plug into different laptops, and then recently I decided to get the HP Mini 311 netbook from Verizon with the built-in broadband card.
After activating the broadband in the HP Mini, my USB modem stopped working. I guess Verizon only allows one device even though they already have a 5GB cap?? And even though they already allow sharing through their wireless router product?
This does not make any sense at all. Verizon should allow at least for a primary "sharing enabled" device (USB etc) plus a netbook that has integrated broadband... all on the same plan that already has the 5GB limit..
My impression of the service just dropped tremendously because of this.
That makes no sense. You could use the netbook and give the modem to someone else to use. You pay for one plan that is assigned to one device and one phone number. If you want to use two devices and two phone numbers, you need to pay for two plans. If you want to share one device and phone number across multible computers, you can get use a router.
Broadband devices are not cell phones though, and are used in a different way, so it doesn't make sense to me that it would follow the very old cell phone model. A USB modem allows any wireless device to connect through a router (even computers belonging to other people) and there's nothing to prevent friends from "borrowing" the USB device (I don't do that, but just to draw an example). I thought that Verizon keep a cap on "sharing" via the 5GB data limit.
So if anyone wants a netbook with an integrated modem, without an awkward USB sticking out of the port, you're stuck with a plan that is now trapped inside that device and cannot be used for any of your other laptops. If you want a more flexible USB modem or router, now you have to carry that with you everywhere that the netbook goes.
Well at least there is increasing competition in this market. Pretty soon some cell phone company is going to figure out that netbook users are stuck with awkward options when it comes to the broadband plans, because they either have the major downside of carrying around extra USB/router equipment vs. not being able to share the connection with their other laptops.
The first company that allows two devices on one plan... one that is portable/sharable, and another that is integrated in the netbook, will win over a lot of customers from the other wireless companies.
Actually, the mobile broadband modem is essentially a cell phone. I have a Dell sub-notebook and a USB760 modem. I much prefer this setup to a netbook. I also have a CradlePoint MBR1000 router so my wife and I can share our Charter cable and Verizon wireless when at home. I also have a CradlePoint CTR350 mobile router for when I travel. I prefer to connect my laptop to my USB760 via the router so I don't have to use the VZAccess software.
I called Verizon and the representative suggested that I can switch back and forth between the integrated netbook modem and the USB727 by calling them to switch the activation to the other device. It is a cumbersome process as I would have to go through the whole activation process but at least gives me some option. Maybe someday Verizon will figure out how to keep two broadband devices active on one plan at the same time, since these devices are so different.
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