
how-to block ads
|
»next review in page
Review by allquixotic  Posted: 74 days ago member for 123 days, 8 visits, last login: 74 days ago
Pasadena,Anne Arundel,MD
$29 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Amazing reliability; clarified terms of service"
"5GB cap is too small compared to transfer speeds"
"Great if you're on the go, but only for web/email"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
|
I just completed a review of my abysmal Verizon DSL, and thought I should share my polar opposite experience with Verizon Wireless.
In 2006 I was due for a cellphone upgrade as part of my 2 year contract renewal with Verizon. I went to a brick-n-mortar Verizon store in a local mall to check out their offerings.
Then I saw the Samsung SCH-i730. Based on its price, features and the tantalizing prospect of broadband on the go (which I had never heard of before then), I emptied my discretionary spending fund and went for the unlimited data plan, and the phone itself retailed at $699. Whew!
The price sure hurt in those early days -- the service was $44.99 for "unlimited" and there was still the implicit 5GB cut-off if you read the fine print. And the smartphone was a rip-off. Its feature set wasn't worth that price.
Before I knew about the potential ToS violation that is tethering, I used to do it all the time with my SCH-i730 -- this helped me stay connected to the net all the way across the country on a vacation trip via Amtrak train, from Maryland to California. Sure, there were substantial periods of having no coverage (this is to be expected out in the plains of absolutely nowhere), but every major city and even some rural areas had either 1xRTT or EvDO. Cool. 3 years ago, having anything faster than dialup on a dual core ThinkPad, riding a train going 70mph in the plains of Illinois, was pretty amazing. Of course, I was completely oblivious to the fact that this whole time I wasn't supposed to be tethering, and I was probably being monitored closely because of the way I was using the service (i.e. more than just checking email).
Fast forward to 2009. Verizon clarified their TOS, which had always been that you would get cut off if you used over 5GB/month on the "unlimited" plan. Now they no longer call it "unlimited", which is a real drag; but at least now they aren't outright liars. I got a new (and much cheaper) phone, due to the fact that Windows Mobile has advanced to a new major release and Verizon isn't updating the SCH-i730, and because my i730's battery is just about useless, and because the i730 was slowly becoming frail and beaten up with age. Understandable. It was a rugged and useful little device during its time.
My new smartphone is a Verizon SMT5800, a re-branded HTC LIBR100. The capabilities are almost identical to the i730, except that it cuts out some of the features I didn't need of the i730: I hardly ever used the i730's WiFi (802.11b/g), its IrDA (infrared), and the touchscreen didn't make things easier. I like buttons. Other than that, its CPU, RAM and NAND seem comparable to the i730, but this phone only retails at $160. It's also got a standard Mini USB-A hookup, which means that the cable that comes with every MP3 player, camera, or other small miscellaneous digital device will work with my phone just the same. This is huge for the convenience factor.
The SMT5800 has similar software issues to the i730 that I blame on Windows Mobile (I'm a Linux guy primarily), but I can work around them. The important features are still there.
Anyway, the phones are good, but the service itself is infinitely more valuable. If I could somehow get two EvDO Rev. A connections to a single box, I would buy the modem and pay $100 - $120/month to get 2 x Rev.A speeds, and make that my primary home internet connection. But with the current transfer caps at 5GB, I couldn't very well do that, could I?
In its current state, EvDO Rev. A on Verizon's network is an outstanding way to look something up on Google Maps or Skyfire (my mobile browser of choice) while you're driving around looking for somewhere to eat, or a hotel, or whatever. But the bandwidth caps make tethering or any sort of "interesting" uses (even instant messaging apps on the phone) impossible.
I give it two thumbs up because it's just so amazingly reliable, and the coverage of the network is actually quite good, speaking from experience on a round trip cross-country train ride. I hope that someday this kind of reliable, wide-area connectivity will replace land lines that take years to finally get hooked up to your house. And if there's a problem with a cell tower, it affects hundreds of users, not just you, so they prioritize fixing it. That means you won't have to beg Verizon to fix your problem.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by Tubisten  Posted: 77 days ago member for 4.8 years, 294 visits, last login: 21 days ago
Farmersville,Collin,TX
$70 per month (12 month contract)
about 1 days
"Download speed"
"Not reliable"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
|
It works great when it works, but the connection is not always the Broadband (Rev-A), antenna signal varies from -90dbm to -106dbm. Just not strong enough. Speed is hit and miss, sometimes lower than dialup. I am returning it within the 30 day trial period.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by pistachionut  UPDATED: 83 days ago member for 1 year, 255 visits, last login: a few minutes ago
Waverly,Wood,WV
$67 per month (24 month contract)
about 1 days
"Latency, Consistent Speed, Convienience"
"Price vs. Speed, Data Caps worse than Satellite"
"Reliable but not worth price,caps,2yr contract"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
|
UPDATE: 9-6-09
-Ended up taking the mifi device back and canceling the service (you get 30 days to test it). While the pings were much better than satellite and speeds more consistent, I couldnt justify the startup costs and getting locked into another 2yr contract.
-Also the data cap is horrendous. All these companies tout that "rarely does the normal user go over 5GB in a month". Not sure who they consider a "normal" user, but 5GB is way too low for $67 a month AND a two year contract AND startup costs exceeding $100. This is not the year 2000, and their spin doctors are doing a poor job convincing all of us 5GB is reasonable. After about a week of testing I could tell that it was going to be way too low, especially if you have multiple computers in a household utilizing the connection.
-Oh yeah, their rep on the phone said they do have a 10GB plan, FOR $199 A MONTH?! Give me a break. And if you go over their cap they charge by the MEGABYTE. And it isnt cheap. At least HughesNet has a 5 hour free window each day you can use for updates and large downloads, Wildblue has a rolling 30 day period but has more generous caps based on the plan you get, and Starband has a 7 day rolling period.
-Anyways, seems Ill be with satellite indefinitely at this point.
------------------------------------------
ORIGINAL REVIEW BELOW
------------------------------------------
-CONS-
Cost: Too expensive, cell companies continue to gouge customers on pricing.
Caps: Why? How is 5 GB chosen? It seems like nothing more than a random number, though Im certain they use some quasi formula to determine that 5 is the magic number to keep bandwith issues to a minimum or force overages for the ridiculous costs, but in todays market 5GB is paltry and pathetic, especially for $65.00+ a month. Honestly their caps are even worse than satellites.
Contract: Still requires a 2yr contract unless you want to pay full price for the device (200+ dollars)
-PROS- (*I am within an EVDO footprint with Rev.A so keep that in mind*)
Speeds: More consistent than satellite, averaging 500k to 1M+ down, 200k-500k up, and pings at 100-200ms. Compare this to satellite which would have wild flucuations and pings 1000-2000ms.
Equipment: Took maybe 10 minutes to get online, and with their new MiFi device allowing up to 5 wireless connections, you dont have to buy those overpriced routers designed for wirless internet cards anymore.
As I stated earlier, this is a 24 hour first impression review. Ill update a couple weeks from now to see if anything has changed. So far my sticking point is going to be the 5GB cap, I will average my weekly usage to see if it is realistic, especially since updates to windows, etc can almost reach gigabyte levels at times. Other than the cap, if you are within the Rev.A footprint for wireless internet I would say it soundly defeats satellite (as far as service quality goes).
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by captpackrat  Posted: 103 days ago member for 7.8 years, 46 visits, last login: 62 days ago
Louisville,Cass,NE
$72 per month (24 month contract)
"No bandwidth cap IF you sign up with Alltel"
"Very limited hardware available through Alltel."
"Get an Alltel plan while you still can!"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
|
I just signed up as an Alltel customer; you can still do so in some markets. Alltel's plans cost the same as Verizon, use the same towers, and will eventually be incorporated into Verizon's billing, but you can get UNLIMITED Internet access for the length of the contract (2 years).
You can only pick from the limited selection of Alltel hardware; you can't get the new MiFi or anything else from the Verizon side. If you pick Verizon hardware, you'll be stuck with a Verizon plan and a 5 Gig bandwidth cap. I got the Huawei EC168, which has both cellular and WiFi radios and a MicroSD card slot. Supposedly it has GPS, but I haven't figured out how to enable it yet. It was free after mail-in rebate. Setup is extremely simple, all the software is built into the dongle; just plug it in and it's ready to go.
I get about 1.5 Mbit download speeds, 350 Kbit upload. I live in a rural area, so service may be faster in the city. EV-DO Rev. A has a theoretical maximum of 3.1 Mbit.
This was probably the easiest broadband install I've ever done. I was up and running in less than an hour after signing up (and most of that was the drive home).
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by BlessPat  UPDATED: 108 days ago member for 6.4 years, 139 visits, last login: 96 days ago
Baxley,Appling,GA
$69 per month (24 month contract)
"Have internet can travel"
"Modems not so sturdy"
"MUCHO better price/service/access than Satellite"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
|
Bought Verizon USB 760 and tried for a couple months before dumping HughesNet. Best move I've made! Not much chance around here for cable or DSL, so this is a good choice for me. My home location is not technically within their 3G coverage. The closest tower is about 7 miles, line of sight. With my cheapie little plug in booster antenna I consistently get 80-90 RSSI and sometimes as good as 75. Speeds vary based on load on the tower. I LOVE that I can travel with the modem and have windshield time ISP access and don't have to worry about looking for Wi-Fi or what kind of ISP the hotel has, or camp off my kids connection. The 5G limit has been no prob for me as I'm not a gamer, or movie downloader. My only complaint is that I wish I had the new little modem/router combo that came available recently. Also, I first tried the USB 727, went through 2 of them, the body seems to be too heavy for the USB plug. I'm now on my second 760, the first one the solder came loose on the auxiliary antenna plug. Tech support has been very easy to work with. However, for something that is suppose to be portable, the USB modem is rather fragile. To fine tune my connection I suppose I need to set up a home LAN and will get to that soon. Probably need a more permanent antenna.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by ClayL1983  UPDATED: 113 days ago member for 5.4 years, 202 visits, last login: 6 days ago
Mattoon,Coles,IL
$120 per month (24 month contract)
"Excellent Customer Service and Network"
"None in my book"
"I would recommend it to a friend"
| Pre Sales Information: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
|
I have had VZW since 2000. When I first signed up our area was still analog, and I wouldn't always receive my calls. Once they went digital, I have not had any big problems since. I have went over my txt message limit once, and I called and had them change the package and had them back date it to absorb the overage fees. Anytime I have called Customer Service, I have never had to hold for more than about 3 minutes or less, and they have resolved my problem everytime I have called.
Our Monthly Plan is 700 Minute Basic Family SharePlan with 3 phones. The monthly access charges before taxes are roughly 97.95 (that price includes insurance on all 3 phones, Unlimited Mobile to Mobile TXT/PIX/Flix package on 1 phone, and 250 Message Allowance on another phone. That price also includes a 20% discount that I recieve because of my employer. ) After taxes and everything else, its about $120. Just be careful about Megabyte usage. If you have a plan that does not include unlimited Megabyte usage, you will be billed 1.99/MB -- this is anytime you browse the Get It Now Catalog, Download from Get It Now, or Browse Mobile Web. Megabyte usage can be a little expensive.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by cameronsfx  UPDATED: 121 days ago member for 324 days, 301 visits, last login: 2 days ago
Pensacola,Escambia,FL
$100 per month
"Is there any unless you have FIOS?"
"It's Verizon Wireless that Ruined Alltel's Superior Network!!"
"Ruined Alltel's Superior Network!"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings below consensus)
|
Was a 5 year customer of Alltel. Now, with Verizon's takeover completed, customer service, unless you get a former Alltel rep, TOTALLY SUCKS! They can't read a bill, supervisors never call back, and they just plain suck.
Alltel tethered at 300 down/100 up. No caps. VZ is like dialup. Latency is like 200-300ms on VZ. It was like 50ms on Alltel.
WHY IN THE BLUE HELL DID ALLTEL SELLOUT TO THESE LOSERS? EVEN ALLTEL REPS ARE LIKE, "YEAH, I KNOW THEY SUCK!"
I cancelled them since no contract. I am not dealing with VZ wireless or Satan or AT&T. I'd rather live in a bus down by the river than deal with VZ Wireless's incompetence. Go on YouTube and search "Verizon Wireless Sucks" and laugh you rearend off.
Alltel would get all 5s. VZ would get 0 if possible. They SUCK!
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by JonBoySC  Posted: 155 days ago member for 155 days, 196 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Pickens,Pickens,SC
$59 per month (24 month contract)
"At least we have 3G coverage here"
"Slow; 5gig cap; Too much money for the speed"
"Only option here; I would much rather pay AT&T 20 for the same speed; Get something else if possible"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
|
59.99 for around 500k/100k is ridiculous. Alas, 15 for dial-up is a worse deal. In today's world and web applications dial-up is just not an option, so I'll continue to take it from Verizon until AT&T offers me Uverse. Expensive for the bandwidth, and be sure to read the small print as there is a 5 gigabyte cap for "Unlimited" wireless broadband. The FCC shouldn't even allow Verizon to advertise "Unlimited" for a service that is severely limited. Stay away if you are using at a fixed location. Good for people who are on the road and are needing a faster speed where ever they are traveling.
Followup comments: | Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next review in page (previous review)
Review by ggultra2764  UPDATED: 172 days ago member for 2.2 years, 956 visits, last login: a few hours ago
Cambridge,Washington,NY
$59 per month (24 month contract)
about 553 days
"Large amounts of rural coverage, beats dial-up, great connection speeds."
"The 5 GB monthly download limit, BroadbandAccess speeds make it tempting to go over 5 GB quickly."
"Worth it if you are often on the go, but can be a problem if you use more than 5 GB in a month."
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
|
For six months after I left college, I was desperately searching around for broadband Internet for my laptop. DSL and cable connections were tempting. But, they had no coverage in my area and TimeWarner Cable wanted me to cough up over $900 to get a cable out where I live which was way too costly for me, especially since I just got out of college. And I heard enough evil things about sattelite Internet so I didn't want to venture into their territory.
But while Christmas shopping for my family at Best Buy, I came across a Verizon Wireless salesman selling wireless USB modems. He was quite understanding of my situation and gave me plenty of information about Verizon's wireless Internet network, including the NationalAccess connections possible in places that couldn't normally get dial-up. Tempted, I subscribed to the network right on the spot and the cost for the USB modem was reduced since I now had a subscription.
Installation of the modem was simple enough once I installed the hardware for it on my computer via CD and setting up the modem for one of my computer's USB port. The installation of the modem only took me about 5 minutes.
As for connections, I can only get the NationalAccess connection out where I live, but the connection's quite good and I can get download and upload speeds 4 times faster than my old dial-up connection on AOL when I ran a speed test on the modem (120 kbps Down/ 123 kbps Up).
There are two major problems that I do have with Verizon Wireless's services though. First, would be the 5 GB monthly download limit. With my regular Internet use at college, I would normally use about 25 to 30 GB a month doing Internet browsing, video streaming, and peer-to-peer downloads using Bittorrent. My laptop only has about 25 GB of hard drive space so I can't overhaul my laptop with downloaded files as heavily as those with higher storage capacities for their computer. 5 GB is a bit limiting for what I would like to get off my new connection, especially since I can only get the NationalAccess connection from Verizon Wireless out where I live.
Second of course, would be the limitations of what you can do with Verizon's connection. Verizon Wireless's Terms of Service specifically state their service is only meant to be used for basic Internet uses such as Internet browsing and e-mailing. Peer-to-peer programs and video streaming, my two frequent uses of the Internet at college, are of prohibited use in their services and I've heard of enough folks who made the jump from Verizon to Sprint because they felt limited in what they could do online while with Verizon Wireless.
With both of these issues, I think Verizon Wireless has a poor preconceived notion of what they think all people like to do online much like sattelite Internet providers have with their Fair Access Policies.
If you live in the boonies, can't get DSL or cable out where you live, and can't stand dial-up or sattelite Internet, then Verizon Wireless could be for you. Just be prepared for a limited online experience if you like doing more online besides Internet browsing and e-mailing.
UPDATE (12/14/07): During the past few days, my area was hit by a series of snow storms. This obviously effected how good my connection was as both my download and upload rates had dropped into the lower-90 kbps on Thursday and my connection was at two bars most of the time up to early today. Right now, my connection is back up to three bars and my download rate improved from Wednesday's speed test.
UPDATE (4/6/08): It's been over four months now since I went on Verizon Wireless for an ISP. I can still only get NationalAccess connections here at my house and even with an antenna I bought for my USB modem, I can still only get NationalAccess. The only benefit with the antenna is an improved signal with my connection.
My Internet use during the week is normally close to or over 100 MB a day since I work most of the day and around 200 MB a day on weekends. A good chunk of my data usage comes from seeing videos on Youtube, frequent downloading, and updating my virus and spyware protection.
NationalAccess seems more of a blessing for me since videos and downloaded files do take time to load up on the 1XRTT connection of NationalAccess. I would be more tempted to use more of my monthly data if I did have BroadbandAccess capable speeds out where I lived which could give me problems thanks to the 5 GB cap VZW has set up. It would be better if they either gave higher data usage for the month or actually give Sprint a run for their money by actually offering unlimited data usage at a cheaper price.
Otherwise, the connection has been able to hold up very well and I rarely lose my signal. If VZW were to just lighten up on their Terms of Service and their monthly caps, then I could do more with the connection without worrying about my data usage.
UPDATE (4/8/08): I checked Verizon's Terms of Service today and it looks like they have lightened up on what you can use their connection for. Online gaming and streaming are now allowed. I still wish they can lighten up on their monthly caps.
UPDATE (6/2/08): I now have BroadbandAccess Rev. A coverage out where I live. After doing a speed test, I got 953 kbps down, 500 kbps up. While the greater speed is a great asset to me, now I'm gonna have to be more wary of how much I download since I can get things faster. I still think VZW should lighten up on their caps.
UPDATE (6/3/08): Speed tests came up with 831 kbps down, 397 kbps up. And the speeds I got from yesterday had me tempted to do some downloading which within an hour, I already used over 100 MB of my data usage. I've already used over 3 GB of my data usage for this billing period so far and it won't be for two weeks until my data account is reset for the next billing period. I see no reason to having such a large amount of download speed if I have such a small monthly cap put on it which is why I could deal with NationalAccess easier since it took me longer to get stuff downloaded.
UPDATE (7/13/08): As of Friday, I went over my 5 GB cap yet so far I haven't been throttled which must mean my area isn't too reliant on the wireless tower near my house. And topping off the fact that I signed up for VZW back in December of last year, I also don't have to worry about overage fees so I'm in a bit of a lucky situation at this moment. But, this doesn't change my criticism of being wary of Verizon's caps, especially if you got a contract with them after March of this year. Latest speed test results are 778 kbps down, 380 kbps up.
UPDATE (9/18/08): I got my bandwidth throttled last month from using 8 GB in a month due to the fact I'm currently unemployed. I have heard rumors that those with an 'unlimited' account can use up to 7 GB in a month before having their speed throttled which could explain why the two months I went over 5 GB didn't get me throttled. I'm now back at full speed as of today. Latest speed test results are 1035 kbps down, 388 kbps up.
UPDATE (12/2/08): It's now been just over a year since I first made my contract with VZW. I've been throttled for a second month since I used nearly 8 GB in two consecutive months which goes to show where a tight monthly cap can get you while bored and unemployed. But of course, I don't have overage fees to worry about since I'm still on an 'unlimited' contract. As far as my connection is concerned, it still holds up well in most circumstances. I've had occasions where I can't connect to web sites or lose my connection due to heavy weather. But, this is expected since it's a wireless connection after all.
I am hoping within the next year that VZW loosens up on its tight caps before I have to renew my contract. It would be a pain to have to pay overage fees just because I decide to go giddy on watching Youtube videos one night in a single sitting.
I've even heard that T-Mobile offers a 10 GB cap or unlimited data usage with its customers which seems far more flexible than what I'm getting out of VZW. Too bad there's no T-Mobile coverage out here. Otherwise, I would consider jumping WISPs once my contract with VZW expired if Verizon still doesn't loosen up on caps.than
UPDATE (6/9/09): It's been over 18 months now since I first got on a contract with VZW. Connection still holds up well and I'm still not happy with the 5 GB bandwidth cap. While it does look like VZW's easing on its overage fees, the price is still costly for my regular monthly usage being between 7 and 8 GB. I still don't have to worry about overage fees for another 6 months since my contract is still on VZW's old terms. But I'd like something more better than paying over $100 in overage fees every month if I choose to renew my contract with them.
Followup comments:   Balooka
@shawcable.net | 5 GB Limit With your speeds I think it would be very difficult to hit the 5 GIG limit vzw has. Look for VZW to lift that limit in the future. | |
|  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY 1 edit | Re: 5 GB Limit What would make you think they would extend their limit? | |
|  ydoucare
join:2003-03-12 Rensselaer, IN | ... NationalAccess, which is 1xRTT, can only do 144 kbps max, so your Day 3 test is either wrong, or you are somehow on a very terrible EVDO connection. | |
|  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY | Re: ... Has to be a bug with the speed test then. Because I was dropping my mouth in shock over how the download rate was even though NationalAccess's speed is comparable to IDSL connections as you've mentioned.
But what I got was what I got. | |
|  |  |   ExtremeHobo
@myvzw.com | Re: ... The limit states that after 5 gigs it lowers your speed to 200Kbps which is should still be plenty fast for most people. Has anyone actually achieved this limit to see? | |
|  |  |  |  bullet087
join:2006-05-17 | Re: ... Very true. If your on 1x anyway, there is no way in hell you will be going over 200kbps (with EVDO, however, you can), so no need to worry about the 5GB/month limit | |
|  |  |  |  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY | Re: ... So if I went over 5 GB on Verizon's NationalAccess connection, I wouldn't have to worry about having my bandwidth throttled or being penalized to pay more for going over the cap? | |
|  |  |  |  |  |   DRK0010
@myvzw.com | Re: ... Verizon WILL cut you off and they couldn't tell me if you will still be responsible for the 'early termination' fee.. | |
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY | Re: ... An angry, unsatisfied former Verizon Wireless customer I take it? Unfortunately, money's too tight for me right now to consider jumping service providers. Christmas shopping cost me enough money. | |
|  |  |  |   DRK0010
@myvzw.com
| with rev.A and the newer hardware I am able to achive over 2Mbps download speed, faster than my DSL at home! (my service area is Washinigton DC/Baltimore area) 1gb over an hour is very easy to achive if I don't move my laptop too much from point a to point b.. | |
|   DRK0010
@myvzw.com
| Sprint Vision Just got off the the Sprint site and kept a transcript of my question regarding the 'unlimited' usage issue for Sprint Vision..
I am making the switch now.. sprint vision is a real 'unlimited' plan! unless someone really abuse the network of course.. | |
|  pete7973
join:2008-07-19 Florence, AZ
| Verizon wireless business paradigm
You may be surprised to know, what I have come to find out the hard way. I recently moved from the Phoenix Metro area to Florence AZ. a remote area, to Phoenix. I had chosen Verizon for the past five years for my cell phone and wireless INTERNET connection. They both worked fine in the Phoenix down town area. Prior to my moving into my new home, I had always paid my full Verizon bill early, each month. Subsequent to my move, I found out, that inside my home, my wireless connection would not work at all, and my phone would ring inside the house, but any call lasting more than a few seconds would drop. I called Verizon, explained my situation and their first response was that if you read the fine print on your contract, Verizon doesn't guarantee service, INSIDE YOUR HOME! That's correct, they said thick walls, metal windows(?), etc. precluded them from guaranteeing service inside of a home. I asked to be released from my wireless contract, without penalty, as I could not work outside in 100+ deg. weather, but they said they would have to open up a trouble ticket to investigate the problem. Since transmitted power is FCC regulated, and the sensitivity of the wireless card was fixed(by cost considerations) by the designers, I didn't know what they could do, short of building a tower nearer or placing a node inside my home, but I agreed to wait the five days. 10 days later not a peep, while they collected revinue from me for 2 devices that no longer worked as advertised.(excluding the "no guarantee anything works inside the home". I made 4 subsequent calls each one wanted to open another trouble ticket, all the while I could not get online or use my phone unless I went outside and found a location that, for a given atmospheric condition allowed a short working call. No call would sustain a connection for 10 mins. I went from a "good" customer who paid in full early each month, for good service, to someone they didn't even want to talk to. EXCUSES, and no consideration of my plight, was their answer to my problem. I have to pay $160.00 early termination fee for my wireless card, as it doesn't work at all. I can guarantee you that if you go to Verizon with a problem they can't easily fix, they are no longer the "your problem is our problem" company. My answer to them is my family has 10 separate wireless phones and 4 wireless cards, and as each lease expires we are all going to another company that hopefully has a business paradigm, that includes some integrity, not just meaningless rhetoric. For the $160.00 they collected from me for their inability to admit they don't cover everywhere, will cost them 14 accounts and all the correct, but bad advertising I can put online. BEWARE OF THE COMPANY WHO EMPHASIS'S SERVICE, WHEN THAT IS THE WEAK LINK IN THEIR COMPANY! | |
|  ljs9249
join:2008-07-24 Lyons, NY
| BroadbandAccess vs NationalAccess
Hello, I was wondering if anyone can help me with this? I wanted to disable BroadbandAccess and only use NationalAccess for the internet? My VZAccess manager automatically brings up both and I can't just use my NationalAccess to go anywhere online . This is driving me crazy and any help would be appreciated! Thanks! | |
|   wade
@myvzw.com | verizon wireless hey m8's i have verizon wireless broadband and i achieve a max of 1mb download/224kb upload and i have went way over the 5gb download limit that was specified in my contract but my connection has not suffered i hope this helps. =P =P | |
|  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY
·Verizon Wireless B..
| Re: verizon wireless When did you sign your contract with VZW? If you signed up before March 2008, you don't have to worry about overage fees. But if you signed up after that, then you'll still have to worry about overage fees by paying 49 cents for each megabyte you go over. | |
|  | |  |
| Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 | »next page (previous review)
Review by YellowSnow  Posted: 183 days ago member for 183 days, 35 visits, last login: 7 days ago
Temecula,Riverside,CA
$65 per month (12 month contract)
about 7 days
"You get internet were dsl and other services arent avaliable"
"Crappy connectivity and a very low 5 gb cap wich you will definatly go overin 1 month."
"Dont be a sucker and pay 65 bucks a month for a 5 gb limit (which once reached speeds are reduced to less than dial up)"
| Pre Sales Information: Install process: Connection reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
|
I am a big gamer wheather it be xbox or pc i play just about anything... If your looking to to have an extremely high ping and a 3 secound latency then this is for you... Bassicaly this is their only plan and ill just say it, "verizon broadband sucks"
Their 5 gb cap is just an excuse to upgrade their hardware. There service can even be compared to dial-up.
If verizon broadband was smart they would up their hardware and beat out their compitition whome all have the gay 5 gb cap. (just my opinion though)
Followup comments:   Opticwonders Premium join:2009-03-31 united state | WOW! Wow! I never had that kind of latency. I was seeing anywhere between 300-500ms usually. Maybe I was lucky? Or you're just unlucky?
I don't think data cards were ever meant for gaming anyway. | |
|  |  ggultra2764
join:2007-09-13 Cambridge, NY
·Verizon Wireless B..
| Re: WOW! Temecula is Covered!! |
Latency isn't so much an issue on my end. I normally get 100 to 150 ms for ping time, so not really much to complain about. Still, I don't see why he could be complaining. I checked the coverage map of his city on VZW's site and the entire place is covered so it might be something on his end that he hasn't done right. Though I do have to agree that the 5 GB data cap with all the major WISPs is ridiculous. | |
|  |  |  YellowSnow
join:2009-05-29 Temecula, CA | Re: WOW! Excactly what i'm saying my town is covered with broadband and my speeds still have high latency. | |
|  |  YellowSnow
join:2009-05-29 Temecula, CA
·Verizon Wireless B..
| Ya theres always latency... But Im just sharing my experience with other gamers who wish to play online were dsl isnt avaliable.
Plus I dont even live in a rural area, I wish verizon would put in fios! If they did they would get a tone of subscribers who are running off dish for tv and satalite/wireless broadband for internet.
But their probaly to busy to take a look at a custom home track... | |
|  |  |  Mattie_B
join:2008-05-16
| Re: WOW! It could be possible that there are just to many users on your tower. Have you tried locking the card into HDR mode?
I use mine to game on all the time. Every once and a while I'll drop a connection and get disconnected from the match but everything seems to play pretty good for me.
I use a KR2 for my PS3/360 and PC. My typical pings are around 90-120ms. Measuring a game like CSS on the PC I get pings around 130-150ms to the servers. | |
|  |  |  |  YellowSnow
join:2009-05-29 Temecula, CA
·Verizon Wireless B..
| Re: WOW! Hey, Mattie you said that the card can be "locked into HDR Mode"?
ok... So I'm using the KR1 which probaly isn't that different then the KR2 but anyways what are the advantages of locking it into that mode? And if I wish to do that (I probaly do because your pings seem playable) how or what are the instructions to do so?
Thanks!
It helps when you have people that expierence the same thing as you to give advice! | |
|  |  Mattie_B
join:2008-05-16
2 edits | Locking your card into HDR mode means it will only connect to EVDO. So if you end up in a National Access area you'll have to switch it back or else you won't be able to connect. The advantage is if your in a marginal area your signal won't jump in and out of EVDO. Meaning your ping times shouldn't fluctuate as much.
To do it you'll need to take your card out of your KR1 and put it in your PC. Bring up the VZW Access Manager were you would dial in through there software. Make sure your disconnected and hit Ctrl D and a password prompt will appear. The password is (diagvzw) and that will bring up a menu. I have not reset mine for so long but I believe its under settings. You'll see automatic is most likely checked then you want to change it to HDR only.
This will lock the card into that mode. After its locked in put it back in your KR1 and those settings will stick until you reset them via the VZW manager. This insures that your connection doesn't drop off to National Access and will hopefully improve your ping times some. Every tower will give you different results. If you look at the speedtests under user speeds you'll notice lots of different ping averages for people. That can pretty much be the luck of the draw though. Hopefully that gives you an improvement though.
I just ran a quick test and this is what I'm getting ping wise through speedtest.net. I also attached a screen shot of CSS servers on my computer. These are organized from low to high. Normally you can figure on adding about 15-20ms to the latency reflected there once I get in the game.
| |
|  |  |  YellowSnow
join:2009-05-29 Temecula, CA | Re: WOW! Hey Thanks man it cut my latency about 20m's!
Know if there was only a way to get around the 5gb cap lol.
Maybe I'll see you on cs:s -YellowSnow777 | |
|  |  |  |  Mattie_B
join:2008-05-16
| Re: WOW! said by YellowSnow :Hey Thanks man it cut my latency about 20m's! Know if there was only a way to get around the 5gb cap lol. Maybe I'll see you on cs:s -YellowSnow777 Nuts I was hoping you would see a bigger drop than that. I don't play to much on steam but if you want send me an invite.
AbsynthHaze
I mainly play on the PS3 right now. Just can't get away from Killzone 2. | |
|  |  |  |  |  YellowSnow
join:2009-05-29 Temecula, CA | Re: WOW! Haha alright thanks for the suggestion and btw it's weird how verizon just installed dsl a few weeks after my first post lol. | |
|  | |  |
| Forums » comments on review of Verizon Wireless Broadband |
 |
|