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Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Yahoo Message Number: 89602
Looks like this came out today.  Forgive me for posting most of the article - I pulled it off a Forum:
http://www.evdoforums.com/thread8376.html>

Tessa in TX

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 19 -- Verizon Wireless is moving the industry forward with the introduction of game-changing voice and data plans. The builder and operator of the nation's most reliable wireless network today announced the immediate availability of new Nationwide Unlimited Anytime Minute Plans. The plans give customers all their calls -- anytime to anyone in the U.S., including landline phones -- at a flat rate for $99.99 monthly access. BroadbandAccess Plans are also being enhanced so customers now have two choices for Internet browsing, e-mail access and downloading files. The new BroadbandAccess plans, available on March 2, will offer customers monthly data plan options of 50 Megabytes (MB) or 5 Gigabytes (GB) (5,120 MB).

"Verizon Wireless is changing the way customers think about wireless," said Mike Lanman, Verizon Wireless chief marketing officer. "The new flat rate voice plans truly free customers from the worry of counting minutes, while the new data plan options allow more customers to experience the freedom of mobile broadband. These enhancements are also an acknowledgement that wireless has evolved and more people than ever depend on it as a primary means of communication in every aspect of their lives."

BroadbandAccess, the company's flagship data service, allows customers to experience average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits per second and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means customers can download a 1 MB e-mail attachment in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds. Customers will be able to take full advantage of these speeds with two options: 50 MB data usage for $39.99 monthly access or 5 GB data usage for $59.99 monthly access.
 "These new flat rate plans make mobile broadband more affordable than ever," said Lanman. "The $39.99 plan is perfect for the occasional or light data user, while the $59.99 plan meets the needs of the majority of heavy data users. The plans are easy to understand and give customers the technology they need to manage their lives -- both business and personal."

...
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89606
5GB is actually very light monthly usage.  I think this ia an attempt to put an exceedingly low limit on their heavier data users.  My router says I have pulled down over 200 GB this month.  I could live with 5 GB per day, but 5GB per month is underwhelming. A single rented movie from iTunes is between 1 and 1.5 GB alone.   Wonder what their overage amounts are?   Oh well...   this is the wrong forum to bash the cell phone providers.

-Dave '06MB, Indianapolis
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89608
50 MB data usage for $39.99 monthly


 Could someone give me an idea of how much usage 50 MB is?  These numbers mean nothing to me.
 I'm on the computer several hours per day.  Mostly, it's just email (such as this group and other Yahoo Groups) and there are several RV forums I read each day.  I pay bills online and download monthly statements from banks, brokerage, etc.  I don't do any downloading of music, movies, etc.  I DO update my virus and spyware programs such as AVG Free and Ad-Aware.  I do occasionally watch a short video clip when someone posts a link.

Think I could get by with 50 MB per month?

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89609
Wonder what their

Quote
overage amounts are?

 Unless Verizon has made a recent change, they don't charge extra for any overages...they simply slow down your speed.  It used to be that they also reserved the right to cancel your account if you exceeded 5 GB per month, but they got into trouble doing that (lawsuit, or threat of one), and eliminated that provision.
 Actually, for *most* casual users, 5 GB per month would be sufficient.
However, if you download movies, like you apparently do, it's not going to be sufficient.  You'd probably want to go with a Sprint air card which has no download limits.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89612
Linda
 I've broken down and got a Verizon USB720 broadband modem.  I have 30 days to try it out, and so far, I'm impressed.
 I'm online way too much, and have become addicted to dl some You Tube videos so I'm probably dl more than you, but otherwise, I suspect our usage is similar.

I started service on Feb 7, so it's been close to 2 weeks and right now my usage is just under 2 GB.

We are currently at Rockhound outside Deming, and we used it at Oliver Lee, both with great coverage.  The connection seems faster than Hughes and one thing I really notice is how fast it is on my bill sites.  With Hughes, when I try to access my accounts, it is REALLY slow, but with the Verizon, its super fast and I like that.

We are considering putting the Hughes "on Vacation" and seeing what happens.

I'm still afraid of what will happen when we have no cel phone reception.  The USB 20 does work with our phone booster, but I'm still researching routers and such for the USB720.

Kate
 http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89613
On Feb 20, 2008, at 9:46 AM, Linda & Earl Hylton wrote:

Quote
Could someone give me an idea of how much usage 50 MB is?  These numbers mean nothing to me.
50 MB is almost nothing.  It is possible to do the math though.  If an average e-mail message is 30 KBytes, 50 MB = 1,667 messages, assuming you are ONLY doing e-mail.  Many websites these days download 1 MB or more with each surf by.  For example, I just measured the download of visiting http://www.cnn.com/  Disregarding the graphics I had cached, the data retrieved was just shy of 1 MB (976 KB).  So you can see an hour of casual web surfing can easily eat up 50 MB.

Another one that is scary is listening to an audio stream. Typical bandwidth of 128 kbps for decent MP3 quality for an hour:  128 kbps / 8 = 16 KBytes per second x 3600 seconds per hour = 57.6 MB.

When you are doing the math, keep the bits and bytes straight.
Instantaneous  Bandwidth is usually quoted in bits per second or K bits per second (lowercase b).  Downloads are usually quoted in Bytes or KBytes (uppercase B).  There are 8 bits in a byte.

50 MB is probably good for an hour of casual surfing. Making 5 GB, *maybe* worth 100 hours or so. MUCH less if you download any music or movies.

Hope that helps...

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis (21F and snowing like crazy, GREAT camping weather!)
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89615
Quote
a Verizon USB720 broadband modem.  I have 30 days to try it out, and so far, I'm impressed.
We have been using ours only a few weeks longer and remain impressed.
And it sure is lighter and less to store than a sat dish. And uses no 12v power.

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
AT&T Introduces New Unlimited Voice Plans (long)
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89616
But wait!  There's more:  within hours apparently of Verizon's changes:

http://tinyurl.com/2dfcuj>
 Here's partial article (for those who download their email but don't have a chance to look it up online):

(How does this affect those of us using cell phones for internet access??)

Thanks for the help, Tessa

AT&T to Launch Unlimited U.S. Calling Plan

$99.99 Plan Available Feb. 22 for New and Existing Customers

San Antonio, Texas, February 19, 2008
 AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) announced today new unlimited voice plans targeted to wireless users who want the predictability of flat rate pricing for unlimited minutes. The plans will be available to new and existing wireless subscribers for $99.99 a month for unlimited U.S. calling on all devices with no domestic roaming or long distance charges. The plans can be combined with any current wireless data plan to give customers the ultimate in wireless freedom.

The new plans, available Feb. 22, can be ordered at one of AT&T's 2,200 company-owned retail stores and kiosks, at www.att.com, or at one of the thousands of authorized AT&T retail locations. Existing customers can choose unlimited calling without extending their contract. New customers have the option of a month-to-month, 12 or 24 month contract.

As with other voice calling plans, AT&T customers can choose from a variety of data and messaging plans to meet their needs. For example, customers with standard wireless phones* can choose a data plan such as $5 for 200 text, picture, video and instant messages or $35 for unlimited messaging and MEdia Net access.

...
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89617
Quote
I've broken down and got a Verizon USB720 broadband modem.  I have 30 days to try it out, and so far, I'm impressed.

Kate, we bought a Sprint air card this past spring before we left Quartzsite.  Although it works great WHEN IT WORKS, we've been in too many areas where we have no signal, even with a Wilson antenna and amplifier.
When we were doing the NM state parks, we only ran into one park where we got any kind of signal on the air card.
 I've tried canceling the card, because I can see it's simply not going to work for us given the places we camp, but they keep me on hold so long, I get frustrated and hang up...which I'm sure they're counting on.  One of these days, I'm going to find a Sprint store and walk in with the air card and have THEM cancel my account! ;-)
 If you want a router for your card, go to EVDOInfo -- www.evdoinfo.com -- they're the experts in all things concerning air cards and the supporting equipment such as routers.  They also have a forum and a store where you can purchase what you need.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Routers for the USB720 (Verizon Air Card)
Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89618
Quote from: Kate Klein

Improvements > Electrical > Internet > Internet by Cell Phone

or quickly:

From my research, probably 95% are using the one Barry Barnes got:

Kyocera KR1 - Most popular EVDO router

and most (if not all?) choices of routers are listed here in the 3G store:

But my understanding is that you need the EVDO wi-fi router ONLY if you have multiple users accessing internet at same time.

Please correct me if that's wrong.

Hope that helps, Tessa in TX
Re: Sprint vs Verizon
Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89620
"Kate, we bought a Sprint air card this past spring before we left Quartzsite.  Although it works great WHEN IT WORKS, we've been in too many areas where we have no signal, even with a Wilson antenna and amplifier..."

Linda Hylton

Linda, based on what I've read on cell phone and data card affinity forums, Verizon appears to outperform Sprint, all things being comparable.  Why did you choose Sprint instead of Vzn?

Chris
Formerly: 2002 30' IB
Re: Routers for the USB720 (Verizon Air Card)
Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89621
Tessa

I've seen all this, I'm just still not sure what I'm doing, but thanks for the links.
 I would want a router so that it could be hidden and I didn't have to have the dongle hanging from the computer all the time.  Also, Terry sometimes goes online when I'm on, so it's nice to be able to share.
 I also like the idea of having the whole thing permanently hooked up to a booster

Kate
 http://cholulared.blogspot.com &

http://www.cholulared.com

Want to find us? Click below, we're #3096 http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=3096
Re: Routers for the USB720 (Verizon Air Card)
Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89623
--- In lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com, Kate Klein <kate@...>
wrote:

<<I would want a router so that it could be hidden and I didn't have
to have the dongle hanging from the computer all the time.  Also,
Terry sometimes goes online when I'm on, so it's nice to be able to
share.>>



Ahhh!  So an EVDO wi-fi router is useful:

1.  When 2 people are online simultaneously

AND/OR

2.  When you want wireless access - so you don't have a cord or don't
want to use the Bluetooth dongle. 

Right? 

So, you want the KR1 (or whichever) EVDO router for it's wireless
feature, even if just one of you is online.

But, if you want wireless *printer* access, then you still have to
get the wireless printer router.

Is that right?
Tessa
Re: Sprint vs Verizon
Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89624
Why did you choose Sprint instead of Vzn?


 Because of Verizon's 5 GB per month limit.  At the time I got the air card (early spring 2007), Verizon was terminating accounts that went over that limit.  They've since stopped doing that and now just slow the speed if you go over.
 We had Verizon cell phone service until just recently...even with Verizon, we were often in areas where we had no signal on the phone.  This is particularly true in the areas we usually travel: Oregon and Washington.
Oregon, in particular, is a poor area for Verizon.  Most of the state either has no Verizon service at all or it's in an Extended Area, often analog...areas where an air card wouldn't work.  I've heard reports about analog service going away, which would make the situation in Oregon even worse...no service at all in those areas that were previously analog.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton
Re: Routers for the USB720 (Verizon Air Card)
Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89630
Kate,
 If you haven't lurked there already, the Escapees discussion board has a good forum discussion this
 http://escapees.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/frm/f/941101179

Particularly read under the "Air Card finally ordered" topic.  Folks there seem to have had excellent customer service from 3Gstore (their rep Alex frequents that board as well; he's answered several of my questions very quickly) and seem to really like the Cradlepoint routers.

Michelle
Re: Verizon Data Plans
Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89645
Folks, I think it's time we moved this discussion to the InternetByCellPhone group. There's much better information there--those folks know their stuff!

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Sprint vs Verizon
Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89646
Hey Guys and Gals,  I've been using my Verizon cell phone as my computer modum for well over a year now. I'm using it to send this. I find it every bit as good as the cable I used to have when I was in a sticks and bricks.
 I don't remember the exact break out of the plan, but I do know this. I have 450 min. of voice calls and unlimited data. (read Internet) For this I pay around $100 a month. My highest bill is $109. Now, I very, very rarely use more than 450 min voice in a month. but I'm on the internet 2 to 6 hrs every day. True, there are some areas where I can not get signal but they are few. I certinly like it much better than having to find a wi fi spot.

Robbie & Happy the Dog
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long)
Reply #18 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89647
"5GB is actually very light monthly usage."

This is very relative. 5 GB would be extremely heavy usage for my browsing habits. Here are links that can help in calculating data usage:
 http://www.nwtel.ca/usage/usageCalculator.jsp http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/846/63/

Andrew 1999 23.5' TK, SF Bay Area
Andrew
2008 Rear Bath
(previously 1999 TK)
Re: Verizon Data Plans
Reply #19 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89652
There's a newer group dedicated to "air cards", USB modems etc. - InternetByDataCard at:
 http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByDataCard/

Lots of good info about cards and USB modems as well as routers for them.

Ted H '02 FL  NE-12 Enroute to O'Leno SP, FL

--
www.toad.fobria.com
 See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079 Posted by: "Andy Baird" Folks, I think it's time we moved this discussion to the InternetByCellPhone group. There's much better information there--those folks know their stuff!

Andy Baird

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long
Reply #20 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89640
Linda,
 I think my usage is pretty comparable to yours, from what you describe.  In the past 30 days, I've used 543 MB, which is 10 times the 50 MB.  It's obvious that that lower limit is good for only very light users, perhaps email only with no surfing.

Ted H '02 FL  NE-12 @ Silver River SP, FL

--
www.toad.fobria.com
 See where we are: http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=6079

Posted by: "Linda & Earl Hylton"

Could someone give me an idea of how much usage 50 MB is?
 I'm on the computer several hours per day. Mostly, it's just email (such as this group and other Yahoo Groups) and there are several RV forums I read each day. I pay bills online and download monthly statements from banks, brokerage, etc. I don't do any downloading of music, movies, etc. I DO update my virus and spyware programs such as AVG Free and Ad-Aware. I do occasionally watch a short video clip when someone posts a link.

Linda Hylton

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Re: Verizon Introduces New EVDO Phone and Data Plans (long
Reply #21 –
Yahoo Message Number: 89653
Quote
   I think my usage is pretty comparable to yours, from what you describe.
In the past 30 days, I've used 543 MB, which is 10 times the 50 MB.

 Thanks, Ted.  I have no concept of what those numbers mean, so that's a help.  The lower monthly price was attractive, but not if I'd run past the limit in the first week! :-)
 It's sort of a moot point for me, anyway.  Until the wireless companies increase their coverage in the western half of the U.S., an air card just isn't going to work well for me based on where we travel.

Linda Hylton http://map.datastormusers.com/user1.cfm?user=1167 http://earl-linda.blogspot.com/
Linda Hylton