3G/4G Verizon Wireless Internet Connection Modem Thingy

plain and simple · Jun 16, 2011

As you can tell from the title of this post, geek-speak is a foreign language to me.

I was shopping today and stopped in a mini Best Buy at the Mall of America just to look at their digital cameras. The sales girl successfully sidetracked me with this tiny little wireless modem do-hicky that would free me from Comcast ($65/mo) internet. I've had no problems with Comcast, except for the price.

I just wanted to find out what others think of this little device. For a 4G modem I would pay $50 (discounted from $99) and pay $50 a month for wireless internet connection with Verizon (under a two year plan). I can also pay $100 for the 4G modem and get Best Buy's two year protection plan with it. ($50 for the modem, $50 for the protection plan.) I could also get the 3G modem for free and pay just $35 a month for internet.

Sounds great to me. I'm just not sure if it's a quality product or if it's worth it. I watch movies and watch/download sermons online. I'd hate to get it only to find out I use more gigs than that and have to pay extra. And does just browsing the web (news sites, blogs, etc.,) use up part of those gigs? I'm about to start my own blog, too, so would that eat into my gig time?

Is this little device worth it? Is it safe? Secure? Is the protection plan worth it for a modem? Is the signal reliable? We pulled up where I live on their map and I have full coverage in my area. Or should I stick with Comcast and keep paying $65 and skip the hassle?

Help?

kuwisdelu · Jun 16, 2011

What you're looking at is better for travel than for home internet. The data caps (or "gigs" as you say) are far fewer GB per month than Comcast likely gives you. Anything at all you access on the internet will be part of this data usage, and especially if you watch or download movies online, I would not recommend it. This kind of thing is very convenient for internet on-the-go, since you can carry it with you and access it from anywhere, but for home access, you will likely go over your limit pretty quickly and have to pay a lot in overage fees. Download a few movies, and you'll have used up your allowance for the whole month. Comcast may be a thief, but I'd suggest sticking with them for home access. If you often need internet access away from home, this would be good for that, but not so much for home internet.

Note: Verizon DSL is a different matter. DSL is meant for home use and depending on the service in your area may or may not be better, but from the info you've posted, this isn't what they're trying to sell you. This device is primarily meant for mobile internet, not home use. It's a fine product for internet access while traveling, but not your home computer.

plain and simple · Jun 17, 2011

This device is primarily meant for mobile internet, not home use.

This is what burns my muffins. The sales woman never mentioned that. She talked about it as a primary modem and later said, "And, if you travel, you can take it with you." What fries my goat about that is that in the beginning of our conversation, I told her I had an iMac. That's hardly very travel friendly so she purposely spoke about it as a home modem and then threw in travel bit later.

Thanks for the information, kuwisdelu. If I weren't on such a tight budget (and trying to lower my bill for the internet) I may have just bought the thing.

Deleted member 42 · Jun 17, 2011

Try calling Comcast and negotiating for a better rate. They will usually give you a discount for six months or so.

plain and simple · Jun 17, 2011

It certainly can't hurt. Heaven knows I've put enough of their children through college over the years.

Little Ming · Jun 17, 2011

plain and simple said:
This is what burns my muffins. The sales woman never mentioned that. She talked about it as a primary modem and later said, "And, if you travel, you can take it with you." What fries my goat about that is that in the beginning of our conversation, I told her I had an iMac. That's hardly very travel friendly so she purposely spoke about it as a home modem and then threw in travel bit later.

Mmmm... Burned muffins and fried goat.... :tongue

plain and simple said:
Thanks for the information, kuwisdelu. If I weren't on such a tight budget (and trying to lower my bill for the internet) I may have just bought the thing.

Have you thought about getting DSL? Depending on how fast you need your internet to be, DSL might work for you. Most plans (that I know of) are unlimited and there are different plans for different speeds.

Matera the Mad · Jun 17, 2011

Some people can't do DSL because they don't have an old fashioned land line.

I know someone who has a similar dingus. Her bill went whoopie when she went over her unbelievably stingy 4GB limit.

Deleted member 42 · Jun 17, 2011

DSL is also very much affected by the length of the POTS (Plain Old Telephone System) wiring from your house to the junction box, and by the actual quality of the physical copper wiring.

If you do decided to try DSL, don't trust your provider; first check one of the DSL reports, /check/ availability sites, and ask people in your neighborhood.

kuwisdelu · Jun 17, 2011

^What the all-knowing one said.

My parents use DSL, and the 3G on my iPad is faster than their speeds.

But as I mentioned, it's still more appropriate for home use due to the higher data caps. They can at least download a few software updates without being hit with massive overage fees, even if it's a bit slow.

plain and simple · Jun 17, 2011

That definitely settles that, then. I live in a 1950's apartment complex with no signs of updating telephone lines.

Guess I'm stuck with Comcast. But I WILL be calling to negotiate that rate. Even if it's just for six months. Best advice yet. I'm embarrassed that I didn't think of it myself.

Deleted member 42 · Jun 17, 2011

plain and simple said:
That definitely settles that, then. I live in a 1950's apartment complex with no signs of updating telephone lines.

Actually, 1950s inside wiring was GREAT. Pure copper, for one thing.

I'd go to one or more of the DSL check sites and enter your street address (not your unit number) and see what you get as a response.

It may or may not be cheaper, and it may or may not work for you.

Back in the day, I ran servers off of DSL lines.

backslashbaby · Jun 18, 2011

I use one of these, but not through Verizon. I have to have internet access on the go. But I can't watch movies online from home (where I just have 4G), nope!

If you weren't into video from online, it could work. It depends on whether you download software, have to upload (or email) huge files, etc.

For just regular business stuff without much video, I don't go over. Going over is incredibly pricey! Of course, it depends on the actual data cap of the plan offered, too.

Matera the Mad · Jun 18, 2011

My inside wiring is antique, and my DSL is great. What I meant was, some peeps don't have wire-based phone service. LOL

3G/4G Verizon Wireless Internet Connection Modem Thingy

plain and simple

Taking it all in.

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

plain and simple

Taking it all in.

Deleted member 42

plain and simple

Taking it all in.

Little Ming

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Deleted member 42

kuwisdelu

Revolutionize the World

plain and simple

Taking it all in.

Deleted member 42

backslashbaby

*

Matera the Mad

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

3G/4G Verizon Wireless Internet Connection Modem Thingy

Taking it all in.

Revolutionize the World

Taking it all in.

Deleted member 42

Taking it all in.

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

Deleted member 42

Revolutionize the World

Taking it all in.

Deleted member 42

~~~~*~~~~

Bartender, gimme a Linux Mint

*