Verizon Wireless Plans:
Mobile Broadband
This is the 2008 Review. Click here for the 2009 Verizon Mobile Broadband Plans Review.
The
Facts
There are two Verizon Wireless plans for mobile broadband (also known as
BroadbandAccess Verizon Mobile Broadband):
50 MB | $39.99
5 GB | $59.99
There are $.25 MB overage charges for each plan. The service is available in one year and two year contract agreements.
Startup costs will usually include:
The cost of the card
| $39 - $150
Activation Fee | $35
The contract also
carries an standard early termination fee of $175 that is reduced for each month
of service.
The
Fine Print
Before March 2nd, 2008, the 5GB Verizon wireless plan was marketed as unlimited. Interestingly enough, within their terms of service, they stated:
"Anyone using more than 5 GB per line in a given month is presumed to be using the service in a manner prohibited above [continuous uploading, downloading, or streaming of audio or video, servers, P2P], and we reserve the right to immediately terminate the service of any such person without notice."
In other words, we market our service as unlimited but if you use more than 5GB per month, we assume you are doing something illegal and terminate your service. Ouch.
To learn how to avoid silly overage charges, sign up for the Wireless Broadband E-Course. Lesson 1 is dedicated to "Picking The Right Plan". You'll step out with fortified armor for your bankbook.
Since then, they have updated the current agreement to read:
You can use our Data Plans and Features for accessing the Internet and for such uses as: (i) Internet
browsing; (ii) e-mail; (iii) intranet access (including accessing corporate
intranets, e-mail and individual productivity applications made available by
your company); (iv) uploading, downloading and streaming of audio, video and
games; and (v) Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
However, P2P,
BitTorrent, server uses, and others are still prohibited. While this is a slight
improvement, shady marketing in the past can leave some wary of what else they
might not be saying.
For more why your
speed may be limited for too much use, read about
Verizon's wireless broadband speed...
