Verizon Introduces No Contract "Mifi" Option

[grvthang]

Here's a page on the VZW site where it's mentioned:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/p...obileBroadband

Look under the heading "Data for Smartphones and Basic Phones"; it's Mobile Hotspot.

[Blossom]

Well for us who live in the middle of nowhere we have to pay for internet. I pay $70 a month for 30MB broadband and $30 a month for 3G access with my cell provider. I was lucky to get unlimited on the 3G before Verizon decided limit it.

Verizon has to be the highest cell provider out there. We pay $210 a month for two smartphones with unlimited 3G access. That's 1400 shared minutes and 500 text messages. There aren't many options out here.

[grvthang]

Blossom, you don't have to live in the middle of nowhere to pay for internet. I live in New York City, and there's no free wifi in the buidling in which I live (everyone is smart enough to password-protect their wifi networks), and I need a data plan on my smartphone if I want to use it as a smartphone away from my apartment. I guess I should be happy for these posters who don't need internet, but I like using my smartphone at home and while travelling. I can't wait until I get home to look up directions if I get lost.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by grvthang

Blossom, you don't have to live in the middle of nowhere to pay for internet. I live in New York City, and there's no free wifi in the buidling in which I live (everyone is smart enough to password-protect their wifi networks), and I need a data plan on my smartphone if I want to use it as a smartphone away from my apartment. I guess I should be happy for these posters who don't need internet, but I like using my smartphone at home and while travelling. I can't wait until I get home to look up directions if I get lost.

Verizon requires a data plan on all smart phones. So $30 a piece is what we pay. The only good thing is it's unlimited as long as we have our plan.

I live in the boonies. There is nothing close by not one store. It takes 30 minutes to get into town and 15 minutes to the nearest store. The 3G is a must for me specially if we have severe weather. Last year we had tornadoes rip our parts of the area. The 3G became my lifeline to know what was going on when Cable and Internet suddenly quit. Our local station has an app where I could keep up to date on where the storm was and get to safety if necessary. No sirens here.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I live in the boonies. There is nothing close by not one store. It takes 30 minutes to get into town and 15 minutes to the nearest store. The 3G is a must for me specially if we have severe weather. Last year we had tornadoes rip our parts of the area. The 3G became my lifeline to know what was going on when Cable and Internet suddenly quit. Our local station has an app where I could keep up to date on where the storm was and get to safety if necessary. No sirens here.

What about NOAA Weather Radio?

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

What about NOAA Weather Radio?

If you can find one locally they are quite pricey but the thing is here they will put a tornado warning on an hour in advance when it is nowhere near you. Knowing where the storm is and how fast it is moving is important. Our counties are big and spread out. I need to see the Live radar as if I had to rely on the weather radio or TWC I would of been in my little bathroom feeling like a pretzel for over an hour when the first tornado hit and it was no where near where I live just in the same county.

However when the second tornado hit just miles from me an hour later there was no time for warning from TWC till 15 minutes later but on Twitter there it was in real time and I was able to move into safety just in time and then minutes later I got notification on my phone.

Now our area has a direct link on Facebook to our weather people so we are more prepared to get the news in real time but I need to see the radar and use twitter still.

NOAA will have a Android app out soon so no radio will be needed. I love technology.

I know people don't like social media but it has its life saving purposes.

[FourGold]

Thanks for the link. I see the device, but when I click no contract it says it's $ 269.99. I liked $ 130 much better .

[Skydog]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Verizon requires a data plan on all smart phones. So $30 a piece is what we pay. The only good thing is it's unlimited as long as we have our plan.

I live in the boonies. There is nothing close by not one store. It takes 30 minutes to get into town and 15 minutes to the nearest store. The 3G is a must for me specially if we have severe weather. Last year we had tornadoes rip our parts of the area. The 3G became my lifeline to know what was going on when Cable and Internet suddenly quit. Our local station has an app where I could keep up to date on where the storm was and get to safety if necessary. No sirens here.

I have Verizon too. I believe, beginning this summer, VZW is finally going to introduce what I consider to be an improved, more logical plan. ONE plan at XXGB (various amounts/prices available) for all devices on an account. No more having to sign up for yet another data plan every time a new device is added. I've been wanting this for years!

[Anabran]

"I know people don't like social media but it has its life saving purposes"

Indeed when my home state of Virginia Had the big earthquake last year that shook buildings all the way up through New Jersey,New York & to connecticut,

I was able to find out about the status of all my family members through Facebook "family connect" alot faster than I would have trying to dig up everyones ever changing phone numbers.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Anabran

Indeed when my home state of Virginia Had the big earthquake last year that shook buildings all the way up through New Jersey,New York & to connecticut,

I was able to find out about the status of all my family members through Facebook "family connect" alot faster than I would have trying to dig up everyones ever changing phone numbers.

I remember that. I am in Eastern Tennessee. The VA border is about two hours or less from me. Facebook and Twitter are great for keeping in touch. Our Local News Media keeps us informed of the weather via their Facebook page. Where else can you ask a meteorologist a question and they answer you. Facebook is great for that.

@Skydog. That's good news but I don't think it will change on our plan seeing we have unlimited plan as long as we are with them. It would be nice. They have a new $80 prepaid plan but that's with 1GB of data. We are stuck in our contracts till 2013 though.

[ApK]

Originally Posted by Skydog

I have Verizon too. I believe, beginning this summer, VZW is finally going to introduce what I consider to be an improved, more logical plan. ONE plan at XXGB (various amounts/prices available) for all devices on an account. No more having to sign up for yet another data plan every time a new device is added. I've been wanting this for years!

That would be nice. I have three phones on my account, and would consider data if I could share it like I share minutes.
But Verizon being Verizon, I suspect that they will find some way to gouge us on this too.
(The only cell phone company I hate worse that Verizon is...all the others.)

[jsh1120]

Originally Posted by FourGold

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 ?

Welcome to the world of the AWFUL Verizon website. Even if you manage to find the deal, it may disappear when you try to get back to it. So no guarantees, but at the moment it's at

https://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/...=5886&prepay=1

If you try looking for it, it's best to try to find it through "prepaid" plans for mobile hotspots.

[jsh1120]

Originally Posted by FourGold

Thanks for the link. I see the device, but when I click no contract it says it's $ 269.99. I liked $ 130 much better .

The deal has been up and down all day. If I chose my cell provider on the basis of their expertise with a website I would NEVER use Verizon. As noted above, the url is back up (at least for the moment.)

You may have better luck talking to Verizon about the 4510L Prepaid mobile hotspot.

[FourGold]

Thanks for finding that.I need to jump on this while it's up!

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by Blossom

If you can find one locally they are quite pricey but the thing is here they will put a tornado warning on an hour in advance when it is nowhere near you. Knowing where the storm is and how fast it is moving is important. Our counties are big and spread out. I need to see the Live radar as if I had to rely on the weather radio or TWC I would of been in my little bathroom feeling like a pretzel for over an hour when the first tornado hit and it was no where near where I live just in the same county.

My weather isn't as dramatic, so local TV and radio suffice for me during severe weather conditions.