Since their 2010 review, Verizon’s launched their 4G LTE network with plans for aggressive expansion right through to 2013 for 98% 4G coverage nationwide in only 2 years.
With VZW leading the 4G race while AT&T, Sprint & T-Mobile try to catch up to their 4G speeds that can replace cable and DSL broadband, the question becomes, is Verizon 4G LTE in your backyard?
If not, when will it get there?
As always, this review will be broken up into:
- Verizon 4G Plans & 3G Plans
- Verizon 4G Speed
- Verizon 4G Coverage
- Verizon 4G Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspots
Verizon 4G Plans
Verizon 4G plans come in 5 GB & 10 GB data allowances. However, you can blow through it in 32 minutes thanks to LTE.
To their credit, overage charges are now $10/GB, down from $102.40/GB last year. That’s a 90.23% decrease.
Verizon 3G Plans
Verizon offers 5 GB & 10 GB iPad plans.
That’s 250% and 500% more data than the 2 GB AT&T iPad plan, the highest they offer.
Verizon Prepaid Mobile Broadband Plans
Verizon 4G Speed
Verizon 4G speed tests showed download speeds of 20.29 Mb/s and upload speeds of 8.43 Mbps.
That’s faster than cable and DSL connections. Read on for detailed city-by-city speed test results.
Verizon 4G Coverage
Verizon 4G coverage is slated to cover 98% of the country to include even places where 3G coverage is currently non-existent.
That’s right, they’re planning to get rid of fringe areas.
Verizon 4G Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspots
Out of all Verizon 4G broadband cards & mobile hotspots, you’ll either want the Pantech UML290 USB broadband card or Samsung SCH-LC11 4G mobile hotspot.
Read on for why.
Looking For A Comparison?
If you’re looking to see how Verizon 4G LTE compares to other providers, check out the Mobile Broadband Comparison.
Hi Marc,
Is it true that Verizon will charge for each email containing pictures sent through the mobile hotspot using their data plan?
Following the link to the third-party site, I found this bit of information:
“Picture/Video Messaging:
Send and receive picture messages to other Verizon Wireless camera phone customers or virtually any email address. $0.25 for sent (per recipient) and received picture/video messages.”
Also, does the new hardware continue the trend of prior 3g models that are either entirely dedicated to wireless, or can transfer data tethered, but not at the same time?
Thanks,
Rob
Hi Rob,
The picture/video messages charge would be if you used the mobile hotspot as a cell phone and not a mobile hotspot device. You wouldn’t be charged for $0.25 per email containing pictures. Rather you would be charged if you sent MMS style pictures from the device which would be technically next to impossible to do especially since the device itself doesn’t have a camera.
Hope this helps!
Marc