Internet Help

[rekees4300]

Does anyone have any experience with Verizon Wireless plans with the device that plugs into the USB port of our computer? We are in a 3G area. Also, the desk top computer my son uses does not have wireless networking capabilities, to the best of my knowledge.

Thanks for any help or ideas.

Been using that solution for a couple years. It works but don't expect it to be like watching TV. Videos will play for awhile then stop for "buffering" then play awhile longer. Speeds aren't consistent. Sometimes fast but during peak hours in the evening they can be slower than dialup. The good news is that Verizon plans by the end of 2013 to have 4G (they call it LTE) coverage available to all areas where 3G coverage is currently available. Most large cities already have it. 4G is advertised to be 10X faster than 3G.

Networking your son's computer is another issue. You could buy a wireless card for it or you could hardwire it. It probably already has an Ethernet port. Either way if you have more than one computer you are going to need a router or need multiple USB modems (aka multiple Verizon accounts = $$) . The Verizon USB modem would plug into the router then be shared by multple computers. My router is a Cradlepoint MBR-1000 which has been excellent but I think you can also get a router from Verizon.

 

[twinjayhawks]

Speeds aren't consistent. Sometimes fast but during peak hours in the evening they can be slower than dialup.

I forgot to add this. The speeds vary greatly throughout the day. Forget about downloading a file after 5pm.

 

[troutsqueezer]

My short answer:

Been there, done that. WildBlue satellite, then Verizon USB760 dongle, Cradlepoint MBR900 router, etc.

Final solution - Verizon Mi-Fi hotspot hooked to an external Yagi antenna (Wilson) pointed at the cell phone tower 13 miles away. Not line of sight but still works. MiFi will do 3G or 4G LTE. Check your coverage for 4G, it is widespread now.

Laptop - get a wireless USB adaptor, 24 bucks at Best Buy, to talk to the Mi-Fi.

Data plan: Get the Verizon 10G/month at $70, not the 5G/month as YouTube will exceed that easily. Overage charges are $10 per gig. You're not likely to get data plans much cheaper that will work for you.