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Review by Rakeris 
UPDATED: 2.2 years ago
member for 2.3 years, 25 visits, last login: 308 days ago
 Riverton,Sangamon,IL
 $60 per month (24 month contract)
 "Take it wherever you go, if you can only get dial up this can be your savior. Pretty reliable, and the speed is decent."
 "Price for the speed it's an awful deal, in comparison to land-lines. Reliability can be a bit flaky at times."
 "If you want it for your home and can't get land based broadband, or need to be mobile a lot go for it! If not, don't."
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I tried everything to get any kind of broadband but I just couldn't, AT&T just didn't want to go that extra 500 feet, Insight wouldn't install (even if I paid for it) just because they didn't want to. Satellite was out of the question, even more expensive and horrid latency. So broadband access by verizon saved me. As cingulars mobile broadband was just awful. (tried it first)
Installation was a breeze, it took me longer to drive home that to get it running. It was installed and running in under 5 minutes, easy. I got the USB720 model.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon BroadbandAccess |
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Review by RobG78
Posted: 2.2 years ago
member for 2.2 years, 1 visits, last login: 2.2 years ago
Reno,Washoe,NV
$59 per month (24 month contract)
 about 1 days
"Great price on modem when you sign up for 24 mos."
"Heaven help you if you want to upgrade to another modem before end of contract."
"If you need 'net on the go, this is one of the best choices!"
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I'm self employed and work as a web programmer. All of my clients are remote and located all over the country. I consider myself very fortunate in that regard. It allows me to live most anywhere I want. It also means that I have to have reliable Internet in order to work.
I signed up for this service back in January when my DSL at home (from AT&T) got very flakey and unreliable. I had been wanting it for a while but wasn't quite ready to pull the trigger, but when I lost my regular home connectivity, I decided it was time.
WOW! I'm very pleased. My first modem was the free PC Card one. It was a little slow, but it's hard to complain. The connection is pretty darn reliable. I've left it on all night for several nights and it hasn't dropped the connection except one night.
My laptop died a couple weeks ago, and very few newer laptops have PC Card slots; they all have PC Express slots now. I was on the verge of ordering the built-in Verizon Broadband card in the new Dell that I ordered, when I discovered that they now have a USB modem! I was so happy that I could finally use this service from any computer, not just a laptop. I rushed down to get one. HOLY COW... when you're still in your contract, you get to pay FULL PRICE for any new modem... no discounts whatsoever. So this $99 (two year) or $150 (one year) modem cost me $290! Yikes. Man I'm sure glad I can write it off.
The upside is the USB model is actually a bit faster than the PC card version... they even mention this on the website. I can't say how much faster just yet, but it IS faster. The downside of the USB model is it's kinda big. It comes with an extension USB cable that happens to be a Y- cable. The reason for this is by using two USB ports, the modem gets an extra amp of power for connecting in fringe areas. I'm guessing that the PC Card models already had full power from that slot, and this was the workaround for USB's limitations.
It's worked in places I didn't expect it to work -- i.e. where coverage wasn't shown on the map. Kingman, Arizona comes to mind. It also worked on the outskirts of Amarillo, Texas, which was nice when I received a panicked call from a customer, and I needed to pull over, fire up the laptop, login, and take care of some problems.
Anyway... bottom line is this just plain WORKS. All in all I'm very pleased with it!
Followup comments:  
good_info
@myvzw.com
| Thanks for the review! I got the USB modem as well, using this in lieu of cable modem, since it's just as fast yet also portable.
I thought the Y-cable was to connect to 2 machines, so it now seems funny when I tried to connect to my 2 laptops and it only worked on the first one!
But if I do have a desktop and a laptop, with this USB modem, is there any good info on how to set up an ad-hoc network using just one USB modem?
I haven't found any, searching google. Anyway great insightful review, thank you! | |
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anonadsfwee
@myvzw.com | usb modem yah the y is so you can use another usb next to the one you're plugged into also, the modem if plugged in directly fills too much space to put something in next to it | |
|
J37642
@myvzw.com | 720 The USB "Y" is used to increase power. It adds more voltage to the 720 for use in more remote locations. | |
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Review by jonathanlord
Posted: 2.3 years ago
member for 5.3 years, 932 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Boynton Beach,Palm Beach,FL
 Business customer
$45 per month
"easy install, relieable speeds"
"no matter what plan you choose it is overpriced"
"I have used both VZ and AT&T HSPDA. VZ seems to have better speeds in my area"
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A little pricy, but overall a good service
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 Review by whamel
UPDATED: 2.3 years ago
member for 7.5 years, 1734 visits, last login: 228 days ago
Chicago,Cook,IL
$59 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Verizon customer support friendly, OK speeds if you use EVDO rev.A in strong signal area"
"EXPENSIVE, speeds too inconsistent while moving faster than 10mph"
"Go w/ for Verizon only if you get voice & data together, it's cheaper. ALSO make sure your wireless card is EVDO rev.A"
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So after a few days of testing, of which I will update again soon, I have been averaging just about what they claim, 700kbps, with burstable speeds of, well, I don't know....I did see a top speed of 3000kbps in my log, but I don't know if it's possible. However, when I am in an area with great coverage, I can easily average 1500kbps consistently. Below is my plan, all the features included, the hardware I use, and what I pay for. Also I have some ping times below.
Data Plan: BROADBANDACCESS PROMO UNLIMITED $59.99 2YR 0805
Hardware: USB720
Monthly Access $59.99/mo
0.08% ACCESS DISCOUNT
UNLIMITED MB ALLOWANCE $0.00
Additional Peak Minutes* $0.25/min
*Outside the national or Broadbandaccess enhanced service and coverage rate area.
Features
BROADBANDACCESS UNLIMITED USE- $0.00
CALL DELIVERY- $0.00
NATIONAL ACCESS ROAMING- $0.00
NATIONALACCESS UNLIMITED- $0.00
NEW EVERY TWO MULTI TIER- $0.00
STREAMLINED BILLING- $0.00
TXT MSG W PER MSG CHARGES- $0.00
WPP ASURION INSURANCE - $4.99/mo
$0.15 Per Text Message sent or received
1XEVDO REV.A SPEED COVERAGE
Heres a "tracert" or Trace Route to www.dslreports.com with a signal strength of -70dBm:
Tracing route to dslreports.com [209.123.109.175] over a maximum of 30 hops:
1 77 ms 69 ms 73 ms 4.sub-66-174-52.myvzw.com [66.174.52.4]
2 * * * Request timed out.
3 80 ms 92 ms 73 ms 113.sub-66-174-176.myvzw.com [66.174.176.113]
4 78 ms 73 ms 71 ms 65.sub-66-174-52.myvzw.com [66.174.52.65]
5 76 ms 73 ms 74 ms 99.sub-66-174-180.myvzw.com [66.174.180.99]
6 103 ms 73 ms 76 ms 161.sub-66-174-52.myvzw.com [66.174.52.161]
7 118 ms 114 ms 118 ms 25.sub-66-174-99.myvzw.com [66.174.99.25]
8 122 ms 119 ms 114 ms 65.sub-66-174-98.myvzw.com [66.174.98.65]
9 302 ms 220 ms 240 ms 4.79.182.21
10 114 ms 119 ms 119 ms ae-13-55.car3.Dallas1.Level3.net [4.68.122.143]
11 126 ms 139 ms 119 ms gr1-a340s2.wswdc.ip.att.net [192.205.34.137]
12 150 ms 139 ms 140 ms tbr2.dlstx.ip.att.net [12.122.86.210]
13 147 ms 143 ms 202 ms tbr1.sl9mo.ip.att.net [12.122.10.89]
14 146 ms 147 ms 144 ms tbr1.wswdc.ip.att.net [12.122.10.29]
15 156 ms 118 ms 141 ms 12.122.16.5
16 155 ms 142 ms 138 ms cr2.n54ny.ip.att.net [12.122.3.37]
17 142 ms 145 ms 143 ms 12.122.16.214
18 147 ms 143 ms 125 ms 12.122.84.53
19 132 ms 138 ms 138 ms att-gige.esd1.nwr.nac.net [12.119.140.26]
20 150 ms 139 ms 152 ms 3.ge-3-0-0.gbr2.nwr.nac.net [209.123.11.189]
21 146 ms 137 ms 174 ms 0.so-0-3-0.gbr1.oct.nac.net [209.123.11.233]
22 148 ms 144 ms 141 ms www.dslreports.com [209.123.109.175]
TO VIEW A SCREENSHOT OF REAL-TIME DOWNLOAD/UPLOAD STATS, AND TO VIEW MY WIRELESS CARDS HARDWARE SPECS, PLEASE VISIT:
»www.billhamel.net/vzw/speed.jpg
Peace, for now....
Followup comments: ke4pym
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC
 ·Verizon BroadbandA..
 ·Packet8
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Ping times Your ping times are interesting. I thought RevA was supposed to lower the ping times.
I'm using a Rev0 card (KPC650) and just pulled
175ms
188ms
181ms
190ms
to www.broadbandreports.com
I've found the speed to be reliable at 80MPH. The connection was consistent for the hour and a half I tried it between Titusville and Daytona Beach last summer. Granted I was on 1x, but the connection was solid. I was using a SSH session and doing surfing of lighter weight web sites. | |
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whamel
Premium
join:2002-05-09
Clarendon Hills, IL
| Re: Ping times Interesting you mention that because I was at about -75dB signal strength, stationary, and not doing anything else when generating those ping times. However, when I run a "tracert", I notice that to get to the dslreports.com server I have 19 hops, and literally the 2nd hop on my Verizon network is in Philly...MIND you that I am in Chicago too. I don't have my card handy now, but I will post the tracert when I get to it. It's odd because I go from Philly to NY, back to Chicago to NY again...just don't get it. | |
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 Review by Noah Vail
Posted: 2.3 years ago
member for 4.9 years, 1462 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Port Richey,Pasco,FL
$60 per month (24 month contract)
about 24 days
"EVDO rev. A is fast. Upload faster than cable."
"Quality goes quick w/ signal. $80/mo w/o phone. 5Gig cap."
"Only choice when I signed up. Mostly satisified."
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Weak or no signal in many places I need to be. Many other places are excellent w/ rates ~ 1.2/850. It IS Verizon though, they can be tough to do business with. It has been reliable, once I found where the dead cells are ( many where I am).
Sprint is here now, I could either way.
NV
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon BroadbandAccess |
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 Review by tburke
Posted: 2.3 years ago
member for 4 years, 1441 visits, last login: 3 days ago
Trumbull,Fairfield,CT
Business customer
$60 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Fastest Available, Best Coverage, Decent Price, Rev. A is being deployed"
"Digital Coverage may be lacking in very rural areas (the woods!)"
"Not a hard-line, but the best wireless you can get"
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I've been using Verizon Wireless Broadband Access for over 3 years. I've used their Sierra 5220 Aircard, and then the Verizon-Branded pc5740 aircard. Both worked well. After I upgraded to a MacBook Pro I still wanted to have the connectivity, so I bought a v640 expresscard on ebay, and then activated it. It works really well.
.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon BroadbandAccess |
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 Review by rpierson777
UPDATED: 2.3 years ago
member for 8.3 years, 1710 visits, last login: 1.8 years ago
Glendora,Los Angeles,CA
$59 per month (24 month contract)
about 2 days
"Access"
"Verizon knowledge of product"
"Good value for business"
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I must say that I love my EVDO access with Verizon! I travel frequently, and have the need to support my users remotely. Verizon BroadbandAccess allows me to do that without looking for a wireless connection in the middle of the night.
Installation was somewhat of a nightmare. I ordered the card online, and it was delivered the next day. Trouble started when I tried to activate. Being a noob to wireless data access, I blindly followed the instructions that were enclosed with the card. At no time did the instructions say I had to activate the card from my PC. Instead, I got a yellow sheet (just like you get with a regular cellular phone) telling me I had to call an activation number. I tried that, but the system kept rejecting my billing zipcode. In frustration I called the support line and explained my problem. Support could not understand why the system was rejecting my billing zipcode, but promised to fix the problem, and that I should try again in 15 minutes.
30 minutes late I tried again, and guess what? Again my billing zip was rejected. Being Friday , I decided to call it a day and went home.
Hour 1~2
The next day I went into the office and tried again. With my zipcode still being rejected, I called support. After 20 minutes of holding, the support lady made a valiant attempt to be helpful, but it was clear she didn't know what she was doing. She finally decided to transfer me to someone else, and horrors of horrors, I got disconnected.
Hour 2~4
I call back and explain the situation including the disconnect to a rather bored gentleman who transferred me to another person who tried his best to be helpful. This time after consulting with a supervisor it was determined that I "got my card too early" I was supposed to receive it in two days, but since it arrived on Friday instead of Saturday, the system was not expecting me. (Sounded hokey, but by this time I just wanted the damned card activated)
Hour 4~6
This guy was really helpful and stayed on the line while we conferenced with an engineer. The engineer said he would have to manually place my number in the activation queue since the system was a 'legacy" system. Give them one hour and everything would be fine. The support guy decided to keep me on the line so everything would be resolved to my satisfaction, and while we waited, he managed to sell me an upgrade to my cell phone service. (I accepted the upgrade because I was sooooo happy that things were finally going to be fixed)
Hour 6~8
Helpful support guy finally thought everything was ok, and told me to try activation in an hour. He had to go (I suspect his shift was over)
After an hour I tried activation again, and, and, and......%^%$#@! My zipcode was rejected again! So, I call again, and a very happy lady answered and asked me how I was today. I paraphrased Eric Cartman and said, "Well, Marge, I'm pissed.. How are you today?" And proceeded to tell her the whole sordid story.
Marge was smart, and immediately got me connected with Janice, a support tech in Albuquerque. It took Janice all of 3 minutes to determine that I needed to activate my card through the VZAccess Manager, and not the activation number provided on the yellow card. Janice walked me through the whole process, and I was activated within a few minutes.
Was the experience worth it? Not really, but I am certainly enjoying the excellent speeds I have been getting (anywhere from 450 to 1.2 depending on the city I'm in)
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 Review by arodriguez
UPDATED: 2.4 years ago
member for 8 years, 2197 visits, last login: 11 days ago
Miami,Miami-Dade,FL
$79 per month (12 month contract)
about 1 days
"Works anywhere"
"Price $79 without a voice plan"
"Good if you need service on the go"
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Just got the new rev A card and notice the difference.
I think the cost is hiht but the rev A network is great. I am constantly traveling every week so this card is a hit. When you figure some hotels charge $9.95 for access to a WIFI network for 24 hours this is a steal.
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Review by wortham8
Posted: 2.4 years ago
member for 3.6 years, 6 visits, last login: 2.3 years ago
Birmingham,Jefferson,AL
$59 per month
"pretty high speed for a mobile"
"tethering sucks... constantly has issues when I replug the phone in, isn't nearly as fast as a true cable connection"
"The best thing out there right now, very reliable speeds"
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Its probably the fastest, most reliable data network out there, or at least maybe second only to Sprint. I'll definitely be switching to Cingular when they get their HSDPA rolling, as of now its far too spotty. I don't have the best setup as I'm tethering a RAZR v3m, so I don't get EVDO Rev A, only first generation EVDO, so my download speeds are around 700kbps, which is still good, especially considering its reliably that fast.
Although, I must say I'm used to a nice fat 2mb/s cable connection and while its definitely broadband, there is a noticeable difference between this and real broadband.
Installation was very easy, once I got the right drivers. However, I didn't get the internet connection package that would've included the drivers, instead I used a mini usb cable I got with a digital camera and scrounged around the internet for a driver... so that wasn't verizon's fault, but it made setup much more complex.
At the end of the day, I'd recommend it, but only if you get an aircard. Tethering is both slow the constant plugging/unplugging the handset causes issues with my USB setup, causing me to restart occasionally.
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Review by dei2
Posted: 2.4 years ago
member for 2.8 years, 59 visits, last login: 1.1 years ago
Willingboro,Burlington,NJ
$39 per month
"Was once very good"
"Slow speeds random PPOE disconnects"
"if you don't have problems its fine."
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I have had Verizon DSl since it was bell Atlantic. Customer support and reliability have slowly gone down hill. The Last 4 weeks with Verizon have been the worst ever. I have called them about 10 times... Jumped through the dance with level one phone support ever time.. They remote test my line and say ever thing is fine... I have two issues that they cant seam to fix.. When i have Random PPOE disconnetions the speed when connected it as advertised then i reconnect. When I don't have them the speed is a constant 340kbs. Does not matter if i reboot my modem or not the max speed is all ways in the 340ks range. I don't know if the the union says is true about the copper-net work but the last 4 weeks have been the worst ever. I don't have an pre sales information i have had DSL since it first came out.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon BroadbandAccess |
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