Is DataJack Real?
DataJack promises unlimited mobile broadband without a contract for only $40 a month.
The USB broadband card costs $99 and has a microSD slot that can hold up to 8 GB cards. With support for XP, Vista, Windows 7 & Mac (Leopard & Snow) it doesn't sound too bad. To put icing on the cake, there are no activation fees, credit checks, deposits, or early termination fees.
In other words, it's a mobile broadband user's dream come true.
The only problem is there's that little voice gnawing inside your head with 2 questions that won't go away:
- Is this for real?
- What's the catch?
I don't blame you. It's better than anything offered by postpaid providers and long-time prepaid provider Cricket (which offers 5 GB for $40 a month).
Is DataJack Real & Here To Stay?
To answer the 1st question in a word, yes. From the looks of it, they are a real company (but also a very new one).
DataJack at CES 2010
DataJack showcases their product at the CES 2010 (International Consumer Electronics Show), the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow. To show up at CES 2010 would be like placing your head under a guillotine if it turned out your service or product was just a bunch of smoke.
If they experience explosive growth, it wouldn't be surprising to see the service disappear since most prepaid mobile broadband providers do not own their own network. Instead, they operate as MVNO's (Mobile Virtual Network Operators).
That's just a fancy term to say they rent space/bandwidth on someone else's network and resell it (presumably for profit). However, it's a bit mind-boggling as to how they're actually doing this.
DataJack states that it provides service in 250 cities.
The only networks that can currently do that are Verizon, Sprint, AT&T & T-Mobile. That list narrows upon closer examination of their FAQ where it's revealed that you'll be on an EDGE network when leaving 3G coverage areas. Since the only EDGE networks are T-Mobile & AT&T, it's not a stretch to presume they're piggybacking on one of those networks.
Here's the paradox.
Each of those carriers provide 5 Gigabytes of 3G service for $60. How is it that DataJack can resell the same service as unlimited for a whole $20 less?
That remains an unsolved mystery.
For now, several users of the service haven't had major issues since October 2009.
So far so good.
If you've taken a dip in DataJack's unlimited mobile broadband, let us know. Other readers are itching to know what's the real deal here.
How Fast Is It & Where Can You Get 3G Coverage?
DataJack advertises "average download speeds of 700 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps...2.4 times faster than many DSL connections". When in 3G coverage areas, some users found this to be true. On the other hand, if you're not in a 3G area your speeds could drop to EDGE speeds
Naturally, the next question turns into "Where Can I Get 3G Coverage?"
At the time of this review, the coverage section of their site looked like this:
Not a good sign.
Previous reports of DataJack's 3G coverage stated "they're simply piggybacking on T-Mobile's 3G network" (which is growing rapidly). Since it's coming from the reputable DSLReports.com, that statement holds more weight than it would otherwise.
Should You Get It?
The information available is sketchy and questionable.
When potential customers have questions about your service, presumably you've got straight-forward answers if your legit.
The lack of a 3G coverage map and a few typos across the website are enough to raise eyebrows. Reports of several users being unable to reach them can raise even more. While this may be a result of really high demand for such a product, it's also unsettling.
While DataJack's return policy states you can return it within 14 days of purchase for a full refund or exchanges at anytime for defective products, not being able to reach the company could turn many away from the deal. Especially since their credit cards would be automatically billed each month.
If they turn out to be the real deal then I'd say go for it. For now, this is a service that may best be watched from the sidelines until more customers 'check it out'.
In the meantime, you may wanna check out other providers in the Prepaid Mobile Broadband Comparison.
