Is 3g Mobile Hotspot free or not?

[y2julio]

Correct. Just checked it with my iPod touch and I got this log in screen.

[tmr]

If you already have a Mobile Broadband Connect subscription ($15 per month for this tethering feature), it is no additonal charge. I just tested the feature with my laptop and it worked.

[PeteMc]

I was under the impresson that it was free for the Droid and the Palm Pre.  So why isn't it free for the Incredible owners? 

(VZW care to comment?)

[MorganB]

The new 3G Mobile Hotspot Pricing includes Mobile Broadband Connect. Verizon Wireless is offering new 3G Mobile Hotspot pricing for 3G Smartphone capable devices. The new feature will include 2GB of data for 3G Mobile Hotspot and/or Mobile Broadband Connect. 

• $20.00 monthly recurring charge.
• 2GB monthly data allowance applies to all data transmitted (on handset and shared devices) while the mobile hotspot application is active.
• $0.05/MB Overage Rate. 

Feature Eligibility:  

• All 3G Smartphones that are capable of Mobile Broadband Connect, 3G Mobile Hotspot or both 
• This add-on feature is eligible when activating a $29.99 Email & Web feature or $44.99 Unlimited Smartphone feature
• The $20/2GB feature is not eligible for discounts. 
• Any usage above the 2GB allowance will be billed at a per-MB (Megabyte) rate. 

3G Mobile Hotspot will  remain free on the Palm Pre Plus and Palm Pixi Plus as part of a promotion.

Hope this helps!

[Count400]

Does this $20 2 gig feature cap your usage at 2gig? So you would go from unlimited to 2 gig?

[AZSALUKI]

i would guess that it is unlimited while only using the phone....but when activating the hot spot feature...those periods of time would cap at 2 gig??? but the way she described it...it does seem like it could be construed as "if you add the $20 hot spot plan, then you're capped at 2 gigs." ?????

[AZSALUKI]

2GB monthly data allowance applies to all data transmitted (on handset and shared devices) while the mobile hotspot application is active.

to me...it looks like it is only capped for the wifi use.

[jameyg]

My problem with this is that unlike the VZ Navigator application, there is nothing when you check that box to enable the 3g Mobile hotspot that definitely says, "by using this app, you will be charged $20 a month, please click accept or decline."    Sure I see the popup about needing the "3G mobile Hotspot feature from Verizon Wireless to use this service,"  but it still lets you start it fine so maybe people think it comes with the phone.   There really needs to be some kind of warning that by using this you will be charged $20 a month so people aren't surprised when they get their bill.   

[jameyg]

So i just checked "My Services" and i DO NOT have mobile hotspot checked (BTW I have HTC Droid Incredible upgraded to Android 2.2)  In 2.1 the feature was grayed out and I believe it told you that you would be charged.  In 2.2 that is no longer the case and you just get the popup that you need the feature enabled (which I don't so why does it work??)

So why does this app still work and not tell me anything about seeing a $20 charge on my bill.

[AZSALUKI]

you're right jameyg. i just went through the entire process to see if i would ever get prompted with something that clearly states that I WILL BE CHARGED....and there is NOTHING. it just tell you twice that you need the feature. well how do we know that the feature costs if you're unfamiliar with it. there was a thread (either under apps or other android devices) where someone has already done this. he was using it it last night when he decided to get on here and make sure it didn't cost $. this is **bleep** because now i'll have to go in and the end of the month to get them to remove the $20 fee as i can only assume that since i just went through looking for the prompt to accept some terms regarding a fee and was able to get through the whole process, that now i have technically used it. that'll be fun. i don't have a problem with putting the app on but they HAVE TO stop people and warn them that it does cost $.