Heavy users are still going to need the 5GB monthly postpaid option (and really, let's be honest, a lot of us need well more than 5GB), but the occasional "crap, I really have to grab that spreadsheet off the intranet" moment might be well-served by Verizon's new prepaid data option announced today. "Occasional" really is the key word here, because it's not cheap -- $15 per day for 75MB, $30 per week for 250MB, or $50 per month for 500MB -- but hey, we guess we've gotta get Big Red used to the idea of offering
a la carte data for a while before it becomes affordable to the masses. In the meantime, it'll be offered bundled with a USB760 modem (pictured) in Verizon and Best Buy locations starting on November 16.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Danthok @ Nov 5th 2009 9:50AM
Correct me if I am wrong but won't this all go out the window once tethering comes to the Droid in early 2010?
Peter F @ Nov 5th 2009 11:31AM
This has always been out the window. I can speak for WinMo PDAs. Internet Sharing works great on that, you just need to know what you're doing.
cocoviper @ Nov 5th 2009 11:51AM
The Droid tethering would still require a contract- this doesn't. Read the article.
Dakota @ Nov 5th 2009 10:02AM
... They're fucking over their users; a Verizon Wireless DayPass was $15/day for all-you-could eat data on their aircards. I did an experiment with it before: I had a $25 prepaid Visa that I used to pay for a DayPass then racked up about 8 GB of data in a day (yay BitTorrent) to see if they charge overages for it.
Needless to say they only held the $15 and not processed it, because two weeks after the fact I noticed my balance on the card was $25 once again.
Apeman @ Nov 5th 2009 10:25AM
I know..... I did the same thing in August on a 8 hour car trip. They took my $15 though, but I got 12gig for $15
schmidtdustin @ Nov 5th 2009 10:06AM
WoW $50 for 500MB of data. *While bending over* Please sir I would like some more
TRAFFICBLOWS @ Nov 5th 2009 2:33PM
BOHICA
(Bend Over, Here It Comes Again)
yoko1324 @ Nov 5th 2009 10:13AM
Verizon seems to enjoy squeezing people as hard as they can for every last red cent (pun intended). There are certainly more affordable solutions out there than this.
crawdad689 @ Nov 5th 2009 10:25AM
ugggh, still too pricey. (As if my $100/month smartphone plan isn't). :-\
nelly36 @ Nov 5th 2009 10:48AM
engadget should change their web address to verizon.com/engadget. I have seen 1 article on the samsung moment and tons of articles on the droid. How many engadget employees are paid by version ... Sheesh!
JayMonster @ Nov 5th 2009 11:53AM
and back when the 3Gs was out, it was "wow they must be paid by Apple (or at&t)" Just because what is "hot" is not necessarily what you are interested in doesn't make it any more or less of a "shill for ___"
You got the "leak" about the Moment, the unboxing, the review, etc. Seven articles on a phone, that while only $20 less than the Droid, is generating a whole lot less buzz, and if you want to blame anybody for that... blame Sprint.
Andy Anonymous @ Nov 5th 2009 10:41AM
FYI, Virgin Mobile will be offering their own prepaid data plan and aircard very soon now.
egloskerry @ Nov 9th 2009 2:56AM
How are 5 month old comments appearing here?
Andy Anonymous @ Nov 9th 2009 3:00AM
Apparently the same way four day old ones are.
Craig @ Nov 5th 2009 10:45AM
I think I'll stick with Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go...
Virgin sales 100MB for 10 days for $10.00... 250MB for 30 days for $20, which is more than enough for me...
Their modem's the same thing... Novatel Ovation MC760....
Tracey @ Nov 5th 2009 11:58AM
Gee, so they are going to sell this at Best Buy next to the Virgin one, for wayyyyy more? I don't get it.
I want the Virgin prices on a MiFi please!
Don Louie @ Nov 5th 2009 12:07PM
I would go with Cricket's $40/unlimited plan if it's in the area. For $15 there should be no limit
Charley Brown @ Nov 5th 2009 3:43PM
VZW has always had a prepaid broadband option, though it appears they have expanded on it more. It used to always be $15/day... now I see they have monthly option... though for $60/month, couldn't you just get the 5GB service without a contract?
http://www.blackberrybold2.com
r4 firmware @ Nov 6th 2009 4:38AM
Hi guy's,
I can speak for WinMo PDAs. Internet Sharing works great on that, you just need to know what you're doing.
r4 firmware
Earl @ Nov 13th 2009 5:42AM
I can't afford to have another internet option, when I go away I just use my cell, I have a Straight Talk phone with unlimited talk, texts and unlimited DATA, I can't tether it to my computer but I can look anything up on my cell. It's nationwide too because it runs on Verizon's network so it always works on those away trips; as a cheaper option it's great.
jacobross @ Nov 10th 2009 7:04PM
For $60/ month you can get 5Gb per month on a contract for your netbook, then save money on phone calls with google voice.
I wonder how much data tranfers google voice takes.
I wouldn't pay for a smartphone unless i'm able to use it to make money to pay for itself. Otherwise, it makes all the app downloading and youtube browsing from my handset all the less enjoyable.
jacobross @ Nov 10th 2009 7:07PM
for $60 prepaid gives you 1 GB with Virgin Mobile.