Mobile Broadband options for WiFi

QuadShot · April 16, 2011, 06:38:42 PM

Hey everyone, any suggestions on reliable mobile broadband (MiFi) devices and service? Looked into AT&T but seems a bit expensive per month - $35 per month for 3 Gig. Thanks!

RickPeete · April 17, 2011, 12:01:22 AM

Mine is nit the cheapest/best solution but I use Virgin Mobile for my MiFi device. They charge $40 for unlimited bandwidth over 3G for one month. No contract, pay as you go. So I only pay for the month I will be needing it -- mostly for long trips for my son to use with his iPod Touch.

I like the no contract, pay as you go feature. I don't need another monthly bill.

QuadShot · April 17, 2011, 08:20:58 AM

Awesome Rick, thanks. I'll check that out!

Pyrovile · April 17, 2011, 04:59:23 PM

+1 for the Virgin mobile. I found them to have the best deal around for what I wanted.

QuadShot · April 17, 2011, 10:11:08 PM

Ok, so here's my thing. Joyce and I broke down, bought the iPad 2 for each other. Of course, only the Wi-Fi version. Our thought was to just use our iPhone 4's to tether, but when we called to add the tethering, we were told since we're making a change, we have to drop our unlimited data plan and switch to the 2.5 gig (or something like that) which is completely stupid. So, instead of keeping a "loyal" customer, they want to drive our business elsewhere. Anyway, I do a LOT of data stuff, like NetFlix, etc, so 2 gig isn't going to cut it. I read that Virgin no longer offers an unlimited, only (I think) up to 5 gig, but that's kind of pricey. So, no idea what to do...

KingIsaacLinksr · April 17, 2011, 11:32:05 PM

Quote from: QuadShot on April 17, 2011, 10:11:08 PM
Ok, so here's my thing. Joyce and I broke down, bought the iPad 2 for each other. Of course, only the Wi-Fi version. Our thought was to just use our iPhone 4's to tether, but when we called to add the tethering, we were told since we're making a change, we have to drop our unlimited data plan and switch to the 2.5 gig (or something like that) which is completely stupid. So, instead of keeping a "loyal" customer, they want to drive our business elsewhere. Anyway, I do a LOT of data stuff, like NetFlix, etc, so 2 gig isn't going to cut it. I read that Virgin no longer offers an unlimited, only (I think) up to 5 gig, but that's kind of pricey. So, no idea what to do...

Unfortunately for AT&T and Verizon, they don't see the lack-of-unlimited data as a deal breaker for their customers. (Since we keep supporting it.....) Only Sprint at this point has true unlimited data. Its a real pity.

Btw, can you get how much data you have consumed on your iPhone even with the unlimited data plan? Are you using more than 2GBs on it?

King

RickPeete · April 18, 2011, 12:02:33 AM

Very interesting! I think the $40 plan is no longer available at Virgin for new customers. I can still get it and it says it is unlimited (with the new cavaet that they can scale it down if I exceed 5GB). The new plans say it could get slower once you exceed 2.5gb. But there is no additional fee and the service won't shutdown once you exceed that limit.

My guess is that they throttle depending upon your usage profile -- it is not necessarily an automatic throttle down.

You may purchase a Broadband2Go data plan necessary to access the Internet from your laptop personal computer in the following data allocations ("Broadband2Go Plans"):

•$10.00 for 100 megabytes ("MB")
•$20.00 for 1 gigabyte ("GB") - only available on devices purchased through Walmart
•$20.00 for 500MB (for the ZTE Peel device only)
•$50.00 per month for unlimited access to email, data and web browsing (3G speeds up to 2.5GB)

Sorry AL, I did not know about the change.

RickPeete · April 18, 2011, 12:11:34 AM

I think the tethering plan with AT&T gives you an additional 2gb of bandwidth on top of the 2G you get with the regular data plan. So the 'data with tethering' plan gives you a total of 4gb of bandwidth. Would you use that much each month?

I hate these data plans. They use the cost to reduce the adoption of widespread use of their mobile network outside their phones. And they refuse to even consider 'family data plans' which would just make so much sense for those of us with multiple smartphones in use by family members. Heck, I would pay $80/month if I could get unlimited for all devices in my family plan. Especially if it was a 4G network plan. That sure beats three $25 dollar plans in which not everyone utilizes their full 2gb of bandwidth.

QuadShot · April 18, 2011, 07:57:23 AM

Rick, so true. I don't mind paying if I actually GET something! :) I'm not sure if the tethering adds 2gb or if it's 2gb total. I'll need to look into that. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure how much I'd need. I had Joyce look over that last few months of bills and pull out the highest usage month for me, I think it was a little over 5 gb. Her's was like 700mb!! She NEVER surfs! :)

KingIsaacLinksr · April 18, 2011, 08:29:40 AM

Quote from: QuadShot on April 18, 2011, 07:57:23 AM
Rick, so true. I don't mind paying if I actually GET something! :) I'm not sure if the tethering adds 2gb or if it's 2gb total. I'll need to look into that. To be honest, I'm not 100% sure how much I'd need. I had Joyce look over that last few months of bills and pull out the highest usage month for me, I think it was a little over 5 gb. Her's was like 700mb!! She NEVER surfs! :)

Ouch 5? Yeah, that would be easily munched on the iPad.

King

Rico · April 18, 2011, 08:43:45 AM

How do you guys pay for all this? ;)

I think I would just stick to Wi-Fi. I'm not really out and about needing net access that is that critical to pay those costs for such limited total bandwidth.

P.S. Moving this thread to the Tech area.

Geekyfanboy · April 18, 2011, 10:52:01 AM

Why not get the Wifi & 3G version.. yes it's more upfront.. but in the long run wouldn't you save on cost?

Edit.. but I guess you'd have to pay for the 3G data service anyways.

QuadShot · April 18, 2011, 12:28:50 PM

Kenny, right. By altering the data plan, we'd lose the unlimited we currently have on the iPHones. We are going the MiFi route with ATT for the iPads. By adding two new lines, we'll each get 5 gig per month of data for the iPads, plus mobile hotspots. Because we get a pretty big corp. discount through our employer (19%), it's actually only going to cost $45 more per month total for both of the lines. Plus the MiFi devices are free. I know, why? Well, I like to surf wherever I am and I LOVE NetFlix!! :)

Pyrovile · April 18, 2011, 12:45:03 PM

Quad, have you thought about jailbreaking your iphone so you can use it as a wifi hotspot?

QuadShot · April 18, 2011, 01:46:43 PM

Pyro...ah, no thanks. Don't view that as a very good idea.