Verizon Introduces No Contract "Mifi" Option

jsh1120 · 05-01-2012, 12:54 PM

For those who need 3G/4G internet access for the wifi-only Kindle Fire, Verizon has just introduced a new pre-paid monthly access plan for a Mobile Hotspot (i.e. "Mifi') that does NOT require a long-term contract.

The process works like this. You purchase a Mifi device (4510L) from Verizon for $130. Not coincidentally, this is the additional cost for 3G/4G functionality on the iPad.

Once you've purchased the device, you can purchase 1-10 gigabytes of download access for $20-$80 per month. Unlike a long-term contract, however, you can purchase the service on a monthly basis when you need it and turn it off when you don't. For those who travel occasionally and want to avoid the need to find wifi access, this can be a worthwhile option.

In effect, this is the same kind of plan offered by Verizon and other carriers for the new iPad. Other carriers offer similar plans but may not guarantee high speed performance or access to the Verizon 4G/LTE network. If you're considering a mobile hotspot be careful to read the fine print about the actual performance of the device and the total cost.

For the record, I've been using one of Verizon's "Jetpack" Mifi devices for about a year with my iPad, laptop, and more recently the Kindle Fire. Works like a charm even for simultaneous connections of all three devices. The Verizon 4G/LTE network is very fast. Coverage is the best available even in places I wouldn't expect. For people like me who travel extensively the "no contract" month-to-month option is not a big money saver. But for others, it may well be very attractive.

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Verizon Wireless (other than contributing an absurd amount of money to their coffers each month). Nor do I think this is an ideal plan for everyone. However, considering the number of Kindle Fire users who want/need internet access at locations where a wifi connection is not easily available, it can be a relatively economical high speed access option.

ApK · 05-01-2012, 01:01 PM

I would need to look into this to see if there are any activation fees.
Verizon has gotten especially greedy on fees, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of charge to 'encourage' you to keep paying every month whether you need it or not.

ApK

jswinden · 05-01-2012, 01:44 PM

Ouch! $20 per GB for 1GB and $8 per GB for 10GB! I know this is probably the industry standard but I bet it only costs Verizon and other carriers a few pennies per GB to provide. Talk about getting reamed. The cartels probably have a smaller profit margin off of their cocaine sales.

grvthang · 05-01-2012, 01:57 PM

I've been doing this since December; it's not new. I've been paying $20/month for 2GB of hotspot from VZW on my Droid Incredible 2. It's month-to-month with no contract. I've never come anywhere close to 2GB in any month, but then I only use it during commutes, and I don't stream much video.

geoffwood · 05-01-2012, 02:08 PM

Virgin has had Contract free MiFi's for a while, I used one on a couple of trips, but they aren't 4G. Now I have an iPad3 which Verizon allows Hotspot use on, all from the same data pool the iPad uses, so no more need for a MiFi.

jsh1120 · 05-01-2012, 02:37 PM

The 4G/LTE mifi is new. Somewhat different from offering a tethering feature on an existing contract. No activation fees.

grvthang · 05-01-2012, 02:47 PM

Yes, it must be new for 4g/LTE. The 3g hotspot feature has been going on for a long while, with no activation fee or contract (on an existing contract).

Jessica Lares · 05-01-2012, 06:18 PM

I have a $40 2GB T-Mobile plan that gives you 2GB of access and starts throttling you afterwards, but is pretty much unlimited. I can use 10GB and still only pay half of what most carriers charge you.

sirmaru · 05-01-2012, 06:36 PM

I get free unlimited WiFi without any additional cost from ATT Uverse. Why would someone pay for this if they can get it FREE?

ATT also has 4G hotspots in every town in America.

ATT was talking about charging last year but never instituted the charges.

~Kate · 05-01-2012, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grvthang

I've been doing this since December; it's not new. I've been paying $20/month for 2GB of hotspot from VZW on my Droid Incredible 2. It's month-to-month with no contract. I've never come anywhere close to 2GB in any month, but then I only use it during commutes, and I don't stream much video.

I have this hotspot too for my Droid X phone/Verizon. Works with my Kindle Fire and laptop computer just fine. Even though I can turn it off month-by-month, I don't because it is only $20/month and the convenience makes it worth it to have it available all the time.

I also considered the mifi device instead of the phone hotspot, but decided against it because the mifi is another contraption to lug around. Whereas the Droid X is always in my purse along with the Kindle Fire. They both fit! Wherever I am, it is really convenient.

Jessica Lares · 05-01-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sirmaru

I get free unlimited WiFi without any additional cost from ATT Uverse. Why would someone pay for this if they can get it FREE?

ATT also has 4G hotspots in every town in America.

ATT was talking about charging last year but never instituted the charges.

Well, there are times when I'm not at home and I always have my Kindle with me. It gives me something to do when I have to sit and wait for three hours and there's no free wifi. AT&T has hotspots everywhere, sure, but it's very limited so much that they have like like FOUR in just the little town I live in. They don't travel too far in the first place.

And remember, I live right next to their headquarters.

tubemonkey · 05-02-2012, 03:28 AM

My primary hotspots are free: McDonald's and Starbucks

There's nothing on the net that can't wait until I reach a hotspot.

Anabran · 05-02-2012, 05:29 AM

Quote:

There's nothing on the net that can't wait until I reach a hotspot.

"There's nothing on the net that can't wait until I reach a hotspot."

I agree.
I am two blocks from the local Community college
they have a massive, Free broadband wi fi network
on the campus.
in fact I have not actually paid for internet service since 2006.

ApK · 05-02-2012, 07:54 AM

If were more affordable, I'd like mobile 4g for road trips.

FourGold · 05-02-2012, 02:38 PM

Does anybody have a link to this? 'Cause I can't find this anywhere on their site. Or maybe it's not available in Georgia ?

05-01-2012, 12:54 PM	#1
jsh1120 Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 10244 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Seattle, Washington USA Device: Kindle Fire	Verizon Introduces No Contract "Mifi" Option For those who need 3G/4G internet access for the wifi-only Kindle Fire, Verizon has just introduced a new pre-paid monthly access plan for a Mobile Hotspot (i.e. "Mifi') that does NOT require a long-term contract. The process works like this. You purchase a Mifi device (4510L) from Verizon for $130. Not coincidentally, this is the additional cost for 3G/4G functionality on the iPad. Once you've purchased the device, you can purchase 1-10 gigabytes of download access for $20-$80 per month. Unlike a long-term contract, however, you can purchase the service on a monthly basis when you need it and turn it off when you don't. For those who travel occasionally and want to avoid the need to find wifi access, this can be a worthwhile option. In effect, this is the same kind of plan offered by Verizon and other carriers for the new iPad. Other carriers offer similar plans but may not guarantee high speed performance or access to the Verizon 4G/LTE network. If you're considering a mobile hotspot be careful to read the fine print about the actual performance of the device and the total cost. For the record, I've been using one of Verizon's "Jetpack" Mifi devices for about a year with my iPad, laptop, and more recently the Kindle Fire. Works like a charm even for simultaneous connections of all three devices. The Verizon 4G/LTE network is very fast. Coverage is the best available even in places I wouldn't expect. For people like me who travel extensively the "no contract" month-to-month option is not a big money saver. But for others, it may well be very attractive. Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Verizon Wireless (other than contributing an absurd amount of money to their coffers each month). Nor do I think this is an ideal plan for everyone. However, considering the number of Kindle Fire users who want/need internet access at locations where a wifi connection is not easily available, it can be a relatively economical high speed access option.

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05-01-2012, 01:01 PM	#2
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,384 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	I would need to look into this to see if there are any activation fees. Verizon has gotten especially greedy on fees, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was some kind of charge to 'encourage' you to keep paying every month whether you need it or not. ApK

05-01-2012, 01:44 PM	#3
jswinden Nameless Being	Ouch! $20 per GB for 1GB and $8 per GB for 10GB! I know this is probably the industry standard but I bet it only costs Verizon and other carriers a few pennies per GB to provide. Talk about getting reamed. The cartels probably have a smaller profit margin off of their cocaine sales.

05-01-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
grvthang Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 53472 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn NY Device: Kindle Fire, Droid Incredible2, Kindle Touch	I've been doing this since December; it's not new. I've been paying $20/month for 2GB of hotspot from VZW on my Droid Incredible 2. It's month-to-month with no contract. I've never come anywhere close to 2GB in any month, but then I only use it during commutes, and I don't stream much video.

05-01-2012, 02:08 PM	#5
geoffwood Addict Posts: 244 Karma: 1105690 Join Date: Sep 2011 Device: K4NT+K4T+PRST1	Virgin has had Contract free MiFi's for a while, I used one on a couple of trips, but they aren't 4G. Now I have an iPad3 which Verizon allows Hotspot use on, all from the same data pool the iPad uses, so no more need for a MiFi.

05-01-2012, 02:37 PM	#6
jsh1120 Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 10244 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Seattle, Washington USA Device: Kindle Fire	The 4G/LTE mifi is new. Somewhat different from offering a tethering feature on an existing contract. No activation fees.

05-01-2012, 02:47 PM	#7
grvthang Connoisseur Posts: 92 Karma: 53472 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn NY Device: Kindle Fire, Droid Incredible2, Kindle Touch	Yes, it must be new for 4g/LTE. The 3g hotspot feature has been going on for a long while, with no activation fee or contract (on an existing contract).

05-01-2012, 06:18 PM	#8
Jessica Lares Wizard Posts: 2,240 Karma: 5759170 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Near Dallas, Texas, USA Device: iPad Mini, iPod Touch (5th gen)	I have a $40 2GB T-Mobile plan that gives you 2GB of access and starts throttling you afterwards, but is pretty much unlimited. I can use 10GB and still only pay half of what most carriers charge you.

05-01-2012, 06:36 PM	#9
sirmaru Wizard Posts: 2,426 Karma: 6561538 Join Date: Nov 2007 Device: Kindle PW 2013, HDX 2013, Galaxy S5 2014	I get free unlimited WiFi without any additional cost from ATT Uverse. Why would someone pay for this if they can get it FREE? ATT also has 4G hotspots in every town in America. ATT was talking about charging last year but never instituted the charges.

05-02-2012, 03:28 AM	#12
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,746 Karma: 158575914 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	My primary hotspots are free: McDonald's and Starbucks There's nothing on the net that can't wait until I reach a hotspot.

05-02-2012, 07:54 AM	#14
ApK Award-Winning Participant Posts: 7,384 Karma: 68329346 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NJ, USA Device: Kindle	If were more affordable, I'd like mobile 4g for road trips.

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05-02-2012, 02:38 PM	#15
FourGold Opinionated Posts: 32 Karma: 542 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woodstock,GA Device: Pixel 7,Kindle Oasis,Fire 8	Does anybody have a link to this? 'Cause I can't find this anywhere on their site. Or maybe it's not available in Georgia ?