Verizon to offer 10gb wireless broadband - I was told

[rekees4300]

"In subsequent years, an equally aggressive growth plan will result in full nationwide coverage in 2013."

That is from Verizon's official LTE info site. Hope it comes to pass. There is speculation they will do away with monthly limits and simply charge based on usage. Time will tell.

LTE Information Center

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

The Virgin Mobile MIFI uses Sprint/Nextel 3G network. It is costly ($149), but is only $40/mth for unlimited usage. I don't have it yet because I have to make sure that I have a good signal.

 

[thatguy]

The Virgin Mobile MIFI uses Sprint/Nextel 3G network. It is costly ($149), but is only $40/mth for unlimited usage. I don't have it yet because I have to make sure that I have a good signal.

This was the second (or third) of my posts in researching wireless broadband.. We had the Verizon and were going to go over our 5gb (at the time) limit.. Now we are using the Virgin Mobile $40/unlimited plan with their MIFI..

Our coverage is not as 'solid' as Verizon, but still quite good.. the VM keeps dropping from EVDO to 1xrtt at times.. I have read online that since sprint doesnt have as many towers as Verizon, when the tower gets very busy/overloaded the it drops the data connection to a the lower speed.. It normally only lasts less than 5 minutes and then will reconnect at EVDO

with verizon we got better speeds (average 1.2ish mb/s) vs the average 800 to 900 kbps we get with Virgin Mobile.. The VM mifi also needed to be placed so it was toward the towers for the best signal..

I just ordered a Wilson Sleek (cradle with built in amplifier and external antenna - $125) to see if the signal boost will help keep the evdo signal all the time.. From the many reviews I read online the Wilson Sleek should add 2 or 3 bars worth of coverage.. It should be here early next week..

IF you want to try the VM mifi this is what I would do.. shop at radio shack or a Sprint stores (they have 30 return policy - where as walmart has a 15 day return policy).. Once you get it activated (plan on having to call CS to get it done).. Then do the $10/100mb plan to check it out. IF you dont get good coverage you return the mifi for a full refund and only out $10.. If you like it you can get the $40 plan and keep surfing..

brian

 

[thatguy]

The Virgin Mobile MIFI uses Sprint/Nextel 3G network. It is costly ($149), but is only $40/mth for unlimited usage. I don't have it yet because I have to make sure that I have a good signal.

the other thing I forgot to add above.. I have sprint usb aircard for work it I have never noticed it dropping to 1xrtt speeds - but I dont use it nearly as much as we have used the VM MIFI.. I wonder if they just give priority to the Sprint customers over VM ones..

IF (when?) you get 4g coverage - sprint offers plans with unlimited 4g downloads (5gb on 3g networks) as well..

As also mentioned above - the millenicom $60 verizon plan is a good compromise for the excellent verizon coverage without paying $80 to verizon..

 

[3BPercherons]

As also mentioned above - the millenicom $60 verizon plan is a good compromise for the excellent verizon coverage without paying $80 to verizon..

One thing to keep in mind is that, with the millenicom service you would have to buy a 3g wireless router (one that has a usb input for the novatel usb device you have to buy from millenicom) in order to use it for whole-house wifi.

On the other hand, the mifi 2200 will only support 5 devices (computers/printers/etc) on the network at one time. That sometimes causes me issues as I'm trying to support 2 laptops, a desktop, 2 printers, an Apple AirPort (soon to be replaced by an AppleTV) and 2 iPhones. Takes some juggling, to say the least.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

verizon mifi is still $.01 on amazon.com with 2 yr agreement.

 

[catfishdaddyengineering]

3B,
To get by the 5 device limit at home, use your desktop as Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) if you have Microsoft-based. ICS out of your ethernet port to a dumb hub (wired or wireless). You then set up your network with the desktop's ethernet address as the gateway. Look in the desktop's wireless settings to find out the DNS that the MIFI is giving, and put that in the other devices.

 

[thatguy]

3B,
To get by the 5 device limit at home, use your desktop as Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) if you have Microsoft-based. ICS out of your ethernet port to a dumb hub (wired or wireless). You then set up your network with the desktop's ethernet address as the gateway. Look in the desktop's wireless settings to find out the DNS that the MIFI is giving, and put that in the other devices.

I am such a NON technical geek, and I wish i really understood exactly what you are saying but it may as well said 'bla bla bla' LOL I do get the overall idea though..

b