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Cellular Phone Forum / Providers / Verizon / November 2006wireless data speeds?
Question related to an earlier one about wireless speeds. I intend to use this at home (only other option is satellite or current 26kbit dialup) & don't do much downloading/file sharing, so the 5G limit shouldn't hurt me. Cost is about the same as satellite, with none of the setup costs. I'm in a zone labeled 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services' on the Verizon web site. In the closest city (Jackson MS), the map shows 'BroadbandAccess & VCast'. I've seen a laptop in the city connect to the latter & run the PC-Pitstop download at 1000k, but my concern is the former, which I've always thought was around 100k. The local Verizon sales person, who's expertise I have no reason to trust, base on past experiences, says that the former is 400k-700k speed & the latter 1000k speed. I realize that none of the speeds are guaranteed. Is the salesperson correct about the average speed of 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services'? Thanks, Charlie Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote in news:Lx29h.4388$T6.3941 @bignews5.bellsouth.net: > The local Verizon sales person, who's expertise I have no reason to > trust, base on past experiences, says that the former is 400k-700k speed > & the latter 1000k speed. Simply call his hand.....say, "Show it to me and I'll buy it." Here, use something HONEST: http://www.bandwidthplace.com/speedtest/ It's showing my 4Mbps at about 2.9Mbps, which is about right for 6PM... Speakeasy's works great if you have Adobe Flash installed: http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/ My smartassed friend in MD on Verizon fiber-to-the-home sent me a screen capture of Speakeasy going over 15Mbps....so any BS that, "This site must be the problem it's slow" is just that,,,B-S! On Speakeasy you can try it from different cities, too, an indication how bad their latency is. If he won't let you run a speedtest....HE'S HIDING SOMETHING BAD! Company "policy" my a.s......(c; Larry  SignatureTurkeys will be cheaper, Friday morning...(sigh) > Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote in news:Lx29h.4388$T6.3941 > @bignews5.bellsouth.net: [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > capture of Speakeasy going over 15Mbps....so any BS that, "This site must > be the problem it's slow" is just that,,,B-S! Then try explaining what is happening if you are say the only user of a site that is on a T1 and you don't see 15Mbps download speed from that site on your FiOS connection? > On Speakeasy you can try it from different cities, too, an indication how > bad their latency is. [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Larry >> Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote in news:Lx29h.4388$T6.3941 >> @bignews5.bellsouth.net: [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] >> >> Larry But this question is about *wireless*. And I don't necessarily think the salesperson is lying; I'm just afraid that they don't know their product. I understand that none of the various techniques will be as fast in the real world as their theoretical max. My question is: how fast is the theoretical max for 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services'? Is it 100k/sec, as I expected, or 700k, as claimed by the rep? The store is within the area covered by 'BroadbandAccess & VCast'. The only way I know to actually test the slower service is to take a card/laptop to my home, something that will be extremely time consuming & likely to require setting up an account, meaning years to get my money back (if ever) if it doesn't work as claimed. So, anyone out there using Verizon data in a 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services' coverage area who can verify that they see at least 400k/sec download speeds on a regular basis? Charlie Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote in news:wc79h.14283$r6.7456 @bignews1.bellsouth.net: > But this question is about *wireless*. And I don't necessarily think the > salesperson is lying; I'm just afraid that they don't know their product. That goes without saying. Just ask the sales personae, "Can you show me how to access my email over this aircard?" Watch their faces pale...(c; > I understand that none of the various techniques will be as fast in the > real world as their theoretical max. My question is: how fast is the [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > account, meaning years to get my money back (if ever) if it doesn't work > as claimed. Are there no Verizon stores selling aircards outside the broadband zone? You don't need a company store. Surely there's a mall store or retailer in the "slow zone" who has some aircard to show you. Test it from there. The other thing is to try to find a USER, who has the service and uses it in your area. The USER will be more honest, anyways, in telling you how good it works. If I'm going to buy a Umptisquat 4000, I always try to find someone who's driving one and buy him lunch so we can talk about HIS experience with the Umptisquat 4000 and its service/reliability. Just think how many people posting to this very newsgroup could have benefitted from talking to the Q owners (or Moto 710s long ago) before finding out for themselves how long the batteries lasted. Many people come here, SPECIFICALLY to try to glean truth out of actual users. It's why you're here, right? There MUST be some users you can talk to in your local area who'll all know how good it is or how bad it sucks... > So, anyone out there using Verizon data in a 'Ntl Access & Enhanced > Services' coverage area who can verify that they see at least 400k/sec > download speeds on a regular basis? It runs about 120Kbps in Charleston, SC....no broadband here on either 800 Mhz carriers, VZW or Alltel. After wifi, it's like dragging a 1200 pound log chain around behind you.... > Then try explaining what is happening if you are say the only user of a > site that is on a T1 and you don't see 15Mbps download speed from that > site on your FiOS connection? If you are the only user running a single application on a T1 you won't see 15 Mbps download speed, because a T1 is 1.544 Mbps (full duplex). SignatureMichael D. Sullivan Bethesda, MD (USA) (To reply, change example.invalid to com in the address.) >> Then try explaining what is happening if you are say the only user of >> a site that is on a T1 and you don't see 15Mbps download speed from >> that site on your FiOS connection? > > If you are the only user running a single application on a T1 you won't > see 15 Mbps download speed, because a T1 is 1.544 Mbps (full duplex). Yes, but the challenge was for the OP who typically makes bizarre statements such as the bandwidth of the source has nothing to do with the download speed. >Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: >I'm in a zone labeled 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services' on the Verizon >web site. In the closest city (Jackson MS), the map shows >'BroadbandAccess & VCast'. We travel full time, all over the country, and we have been using Verizon cell phones for Internet access for over four years. In those 'Ntl Access & Enhanced Services' areas, you will be able to use the National Access network. The theoretical max on that network is 144 kbps. We typically get around 60-100 kbps on both uploads and downloads, although large single file downloads usually clock in at 130 kbps or greater. (See my comments on latency, below.) In 'BroadbandAccess & VCast' areas (assuming you have a Broadband data plan and a Broadband-capable device) you can access the Broadband network, which has a theoretical max of 2 mbps (download). We typically get 400-800 kbps download and 50 kbps upload. When Rev. A rolls out over the next year, the upload speeds are supposed to increase to 200-300 kbps. There is a big catch to all this, though: latency. Because of the time delay in cellular data connections, web surfing will seem much slower than the bandwidth speed test results might suggest. When you load a typical web page, you are actually downloading dozens of objects. With a cellular connection, there is a significant delay between each of those, so pages load relatively slowly. I find that an old fashioned dialup line is faster for web surfing than the typical National Access data connection, in spite of the real difference in connection speeds. It is only on larger downloads that a National Access connection beat a dialup, in my experience. Hope that helps. SignatureDave >>Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > > Hope that helps. Exactly what I was looking for; thanks a lot. Not what I was *hoping for*, but pretty much what I expected. The latency issue applies to satellite, also, which is why I haven't pulled the trigger on that option. From an earlier post, it also sounds like there's no email account available either, something I hadn't considered. Looks like I need to resign myself to more slow dialup torture. Charlie >>> Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Charlie For what it's worth, I had a place in rural idaho, and instead of sat, went with the slow dialup for surfing (and wireless networking to various places on my 5 acres), the cell phone at free times for medium downloads, and went into town (about 18 miles away) to use a wifi hotspot for big downloads.... Nothing wrong with doing it multiple ways for different end uses.. That way had a dialup account with email, and could also use it from wifi and cell too... >Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: > From an earlier post, it also sounds like there's no email account >available either, something I hadn't considered. Email accounts are available free. Gmail is one example, and it works with lots of email clients (Agent, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc.). SignatureDave >> Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Email accounts are available free. Gmail is one example, and it works > with lots of email clients (Agent, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc.). Gmail also works via any browser -- javascript makes more features available, but there's an HTML product without javascript as well. And if your Verizon phone happens to have true Java, not just Brew, as my Blackberry does, you can also use the Gmail application available at http://www.gmail.com/mm SignatureMichael D. Sullivan Bethesda, MD (USA) (To reply, change example.invalid to com in the address.) >>>Charlie <mcsophie@gmail.com> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > >Charlie no, that's right. but you can get a free e-mail account with POP from google or a free e-mail account without POP from yahoo or a loc-cost e-mail account WITH POP from yahoo. 73, rich, n9dko >Question related to an earlier one about wireless speeds. > [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > >Charlie charlie, there are 3 verizon wireless data networks. - quick-2-net: max speed is 14.4 kbps. it is available in all native verizon areas as well as some extended areas. as far as i know Q2N is a freebie on your voice plan and can be accessed via a tethered laptop for minutes-of-use or for $0.25 per minute thru an aircard. - national access (1XRTT): theoretical max speed is 144 kbps but i've been averaging 80-100 kbps with occasional higher bursts. NA is available is all native verizon areas via a tethered laptop for minutes of use. with an aircard it is also available in some extended network areas. if you have a vzw data plan on your cellphone then you can also access NA in extended network areas. many folks access NA via the 'backdoor' with a tethered laptop and NO data plan. - broadband (EVDO): not sure what the theoretical max speed is or the average since i don't/can't use it but it is reported to be pretty fast (not anything approaching landline broadband speed but still pretty fast). access is limited to major population centers but rollout is reportedly spreading. access can be by tethered laptop or aircard. some folks have had success using the backdoor with the moto e815 and other EVDO capable phones. the last person i ever expect to know anything about the products and services they sell is a sales person. for the most part it isn't their fault. without the proper training they cannnot possibly know what they are selling. some sales persons will tell you anything in order to close the sale. 73, rich, n9dko >>Question related to an earlier one about wireless speeds. >> [quoted text clipped - 55 lines] > 73, > rich, n9dko Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an affordable way to get essentially unlimited access (no per-minute charges) using a tethered phone, it might be worth looking into for me. It's certainly not worth the $60-$80/mo for an unlimited data plan, but a phone with the side benefit of 100k/sec data for $30-$40/mo would make me consider it. If I could do it with the 2 phone 'family plan' so my wife or I could use the tether feature, as needed, that would make it even more attractive. Charlie > Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an > affordable way to get essentially unlimited access (no per-minute charges) using a tethered phone, it might be worth [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > Charlie There are 2 ways to get data. Use airtime minutes or have a data plan. "Unlimited data" would require an unlimited data plan. If you are tethering a phone without a data plan, using National Access, it will burn minutes. There are no "backdoors" allowing a freebee. >> Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an >> affordable way to get essentially unlimited access (no per-minute charges) using a tethered phone, it might be worth [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > >There are no "backdoors" allowing a freebee. not true. using the backdoor (tethered phone to a laptop) during the free calling periods (9:01pm-5:59am during weekdays and all day on weekends) will cost nothing, not even minutes of use. 73, rich, n9dko >>> Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an >>> affordable way to get essentially unlimited access (no per-minute charges) using a tethered phone, it might be worth [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > 73, > rich, n9dko Sorry - VERY true... Just because you aren't getting billed for the minutes, doesn't mean you aren't using minutes. You certainly are. Also, free off-peak minutes are promos and not everyone has them. >>>> Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an >>>> affordable way to get essentially unlimited access (no per-minute charges) using a tethered phone, it might be worth [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > >Also, free off-peak minutes are promos and not everyone has them. huh? if i have a free calling period and i make a call, voice or data, during that period it costs me nothing. no dollars and no minutes from my plan. if i have 700 minutes on my plan and i make a 100 minute call beginning at 10pm when i'm done with that call i'll still have 700 minutes to use. i do it all the time. maybe you're referring to different plans? 73, rich, n9dko >>>>> Can you elaborate in the idea of using a 'backdoor' to use >>>>> National Access on a tethered phone? If there is an affordable [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > 73, > rich, n9dko Note your statement, **IF** I have a free calling period..... That's it exactly... Not all people have free calling during the same periods.. Many are no weeknights, many single rate plans are weekends ONLY..... And for people with real old plans, even weekend minutes (in the old days), if in the plan at all, were sometimes 1000/2000/3000 etc minutes for all weekends per month. > not true. using the backdoor (tethered phone to a laptop) during the > free calling periods (9:01pm-5:59am during weekdays and all day on > weekends) will cost nothing, not even minutes of use. I wonder if this wouldn't work if you had a carrier with free incoming calls, like Nextel, to eliminate the airtime charges. Instead of dialing out to a modem, have the modem dial IN to the free-incoming cell and make the interconnect. Vox for Skype does that to get free service to these phones for voice. You send Vox an control-message SMS, it makes the call, and calls your cellphone to complete the conference. Does anyone make similar interconnect software for a dialup modem? Your computer on broadband is also connected to a landline modem. The cross networking is easy. All you'd need is a commandable dialer to call you and put you on your own broadband network. Once connected, you could stay on it as long as you like with the only charge being one SMS message. I'm sure this idea already exists. Anyone got a URL?? Which carriers besides Nextel have free incoming calls? Cingular? I remember at least one of them does....?? Larry SignatureGuess what I want to do with the Little Drummer Boy's drum by Christmas Eve....rrrrump..pa..pum...pum.......up his bum.... >>>Question related to an earlier one about wireless speeds. >>> [quoted text clipped - 66 lines] > >Charlie charlie, essentially the "backdoor" is using your phone and laptop to access the net without buying a data plan. the only cost becomes minutes-of-use and even that's not an issue if you restrict your net activities to after 9pm on weeknights and all day on weekends (verizon free calling times). bootlegging might be another term. many verizon phones (sprint phones, too) are data ready. all one needs is a USB cable (and the drivers for the USB cable) to physically tether the laptop to the phone and you're off an running. some phones can be tethered to the laptop via bluetooth technology thereby eliminating the need for a USB cable altogether. there is a yahoo group dedicated to this topic. they can be found at <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/>. the moderators have some excellent tutorials for verizon and sprint in the files section. join the group (free), go to the files section and download the tutorial called 'history of backdoor access' along with the verizon or sprint tutorial. that should provide you with most of the info you'll need. check the message log or post your specific questions to fill in the gaps. 73, rich, n9dko >Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: >- national access (1XRTT): theoretical max speed is 144 kbps but i've >been averaging 80-100 kbps with occasional higher bursts. NA is >available is all native verizon areas via a tethered laptop for >minutes of use. with an aircard it is also available in some extended >network areas. if you have a vzw data plan on your cellphone then you >can also access NA in extended network areas. If I may make a minor correction to Rich's excellent summary: National Access is available in some (not all) Extended Network areas, but only if you have an Unlimited Broadband data plan. It doesn't matter whether you have an air card or a tethered cell phone. Either will work. It's the unlimited Broadband data plan that matters. Users report using the Motorola e815 cell phone in these areas, for example. This is contrary to what it says on Verizon's web site, which indicates that these "National Access Extended Services" areas are available for "for PC Cards, Blackberry® Solutions, PDA and SmartPhones only." SignatureDave >>Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] >that these "National Access Extended Services" areas are available for >"for PC Cards, Blackberry® Solutions, PDA and SmartPhones only." thanks, dave. 73, rich, n9dko >> Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > that these "National Access Extended Services" areas are available for > "for PC Cards, Blackberry® Solutions, PDA and SmartPhones only." Aw damn, now I'm confused again. I'd gotten the impression that National Access was something that one could use without any sort of extra cost plan, simply burning minutes. It is a reason I was strongly considering a return to Verizon from Cingular. I want the ability to tether my laptop from time to time, but am not interested in essentially paying for a second ISP so that I can do it on the odd occasion. How much do they charge for the Unlimited Broadband data plan? SignatureClem "If you push something hard enough, it will fall over." - Fudd's first law of opposition >>> Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > How much do they charge for the Unlimited Broadband data plan? Doesn't matter, his statement that you need an unlimited broadband data plan is totally FALSE and wrong wrong wrong.... If your account isn't set up correctly, an easy trick is to get mobile access for a month (an option, for about $5, sets all the stuff on your account so the phone can use the 1x network, and with that all set right you can tether for minutes)... Just an aside.. was so easy to use mobile web, I just kept it... Easier than hooking the cable to my pc and tethering (check out a free gmail email account too) >"Peter Pan" <PeterPanNOSPAM@AkamailNOSPAM.com> wrote: >>> If I may make a minor correction to Rich's excellent summary: >>> [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] >Doesn't matter, his statement that you need an unlimited broadband data plan >is totally FALSE and wrong wrong wrong.... Sorry, PP, but you either misread my post or are mistaken. I said that NA is available in some Extended Network areas if and only if you have an Unlimited Broadband plan. I didn't say that you need a data plan of any sort to connect to the NA network in native Verizon areas. >If your account isn't set up correctly, an easy trick is to get mobile >access for a month (an option, for about $5, sets all the stuff on your >account so the phone can use the 1x network, and with that all set right you >can tether for minutes)... Just an aside.. was so easy to use mobile web, I >just kept it... Easier than hooking the cable to my pc and tethering (check >out a free gmail email account too) As for the Mobile Web trick, it's not that simple. I tried it, and it didn't work for my phone on which Verizon had shut off data access. All the Mobile Web stuff worked as advertised, but I got the same "authorization failed" messages when I tried to use it as a modem tethered to my laptop. This after I had been using it (and its predecessor) that way for years. While it worked for you, it didn't work for me. Don Blake also tried it, and it didn't work for him. I won't pretend to know Verizon's account configuration software, but it is clear to me that using their phones as modems is not simply a matter of signing up for Mobile Web, getting "Natiional Enhanced Services" turned on, or any of the other folk remedies out there. SignatureDave > Sorry, PP, but you either misread my post or are mistaken. > [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > matter of signing up for Mobile Web, getting "Natiional Enhanced > Services" turned on, or any of the other folk remedies out there. I have been travelling all over in my RV, and have used the phones (older kyocera's and now an e815) in many extended areas (didn't work in some, and not at all in analog, will only work in about 50% of them).. Do you use #777 as the number instead of calling a regular (10 digit) number? Unfortunately, in some extended areas that doesn't work (some extended areas do not have a network, and can't access the validation server at vzw3g).. If you are getting the message "authorization failed", sounds like there is no network connection to access the verizon server (some areas and some smaller cell providers, if they have one at all, use a number other than #777, see the info on the below link/faq) You may want to peruse the info on the yahoo group IntenetByCellPhone (caps needed correctly to access it, and they have tutorials for dozens of different phone. or just click on this link http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellphone/.. Been a life saver for us folks that travel a lot). If you are thinking of sat, you may want to look at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/RVInternetbySatellite/ (notice in this URL the word 'by' is NOT capitalized) > I have been travelling all over in my RV, and have used the phones > (older kyocera's and now an e815) in many extended areas (didn't work > in some, and not at all in analog, will only work in about 50% of > them).. How many RV parks now have wifi service for your RV? I sail and a lot of the marinas now have either free wifi or a paid for service to the entire marina. There aren't many RV parks left around Charleston, SC, and I haven't been paying attention to any signage talking about wifi access. All the hotels, even Motel 6, now has wifi access because it's so cheap to provide from just one point on one connection as a guest draw feature. I just wondered if RV parks were also using it that way. Did your old Kyocera provide better coverage with its analog access...as a phone? I'm hesitant to lose my old Moto V60i I brought from VZW to Alltel as the V60i still works in the country, plugged into my 3W mobile repeater, if necessary. Small towns are, slowly, getting CDMA on both VZW and Alltel, but AMPS still rules in the country and has lots of users with car phones. Larry SignatureGuess what I want to do with the Little Drummer Boy's drum by Christmas Eve....rrrrump..pa-pum...pum...up his bum.... >> I have been travelling all over in my RV, and have used the phones >> (older kyocera's and now an e815) in many extended areas (didn't work [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Larry Quite a few do, however, I usually get one of the way out of the way sites (cheaper ya know), and have a directional antenna/usb cable thing for wifi, but sometimes at parks, and certainly while travelling, it's easier to use the cellphone... > Quite a few do, however, I usually get one of the way out of the way > sites (cheaper ya know), and have a directional antenna/usb cable > thing for wifi, but sometimes at parks, and certainly while > travelling, it's easier to use the cellphone... Nothing beats a cellphone for mobility. Well, so far...(c; >"Peter Pan" <PeterPanNOSPAM@AkamailNOSPAM.com> wrote: >> Sorry, PP, but you either misread my post or are mistaken. >> [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >in some extended areas that doesn't work (some extended areas do not have a >network, and can't access the validation server at vzw3g). I guess I'm not making myself clear. Yes, data service has been available in some Extended Network areas for at least the four years that I have been traveling full time using Verizon cell phones for Internet access. But it has been only the 14.4 kbps Quick 2 Net network (using #777) and occasionally the ability to dial your own ISP at 14.4 kbps. That is not the 144 kbps National Access network. That network has been available in selected Extended Network areas only since last December, and then only if you have an unlimited Broadband data plan. >. If you are >getting the message "authorization failed", sounds like there is no network >connection to access the verizon server (some areas and some smaller cell >providers, if they have one at all, use a number other than #777, see the >info on the below link/faq) The "authorization failed" message will occur if your account is not set up by Verizon for data access (or if you get the logon credentials wrong). If there is no data connection available, you will get a message something like "no data service." >You may want to peruse the info on the yahoo group IntenetByCellPhone (caps >needed correctly to access it, and they have tutorials for dozens of >different phone. or just click on this link >http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellphone/.. Been a life saver >for us folks that travel a lot). I was a moderator on that forum for some time and have read every message posted there since it started. I wrote the "Continuous Ping" document and the original "History of Backdoor Access" document in the Files section of that forum, although the latter has been modified so extensively since then that I wouldn't want to be associated with it. Good suggestion, though. >If you are thinking of sat, you may want to look at >http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/RVInternetbySatellite/ (notice in this >URL the word 'by' is NOT capitalized) Thanks. BTW, capitalization makes no difference in URLs or in Yahoo forum searches. SignatureDave >"Mr. Uh Clem" <uhclem@DutchElmSt.invalid> wrote: >>> Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >How much do they charge for the Unlimited Broadband data plan? You don't necessarily need a data plan to use the National Access network in native Verizon areas. An unlimited Broadband plan ($60/mo) is necessary only if you want to use the NA network in Extended Network areas. To see what kind of area you are in, look at the Verizon coverage pages: (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=newsearch) Many people are using the NA network without a data plan. For them, data calls are billed just like voice calls. That means that if your voice plan has free nights and weekends your data calls are also free during those times. I did that on one of our phones for over three years. Judging from reports of new customers, some of them are able to do this and some aren't. A year ago, if you were unable to use your phone as a modem you just called Customer Service and they would fix it. Nowadays, it seems that most folks who do that are getting a "you must buy a data plan" response. I have seen some pretty funny speculation presented as fact on this issue. One guy says that everybody who gets data access has encountered an "ill-trained customer service rep." One said that only people in certain regions are having a problem, Many say that any time you talk to Verizon about data access they will cut yours off. One thing seems certain: You are not *guarenteed* data access with a voice plan. SignatureDave >> "Mr. Uh Clem" <uhclem@DutchElmSt.invalid> wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > pages: > (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=newsearch) Thanks for the clarification. Looks like I'm in a native area. > Many people are using the NA network without a data plan. For them, data > calls are billed just like voice calls. That means that if your voice [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > One thing seems certain: You are not *guarenteed* data access with a > voice plan. It will be interesting then. If they will not set me up when I go to switch service, I'll just inform them that I then have no compelling reason to switch to Verizon (which will be the truth.) Maybe then they'll come up with one of those ill-trained people to set up my account. :) SignatureClem "If you push something hard enough, it will fall over." - Fudd's first law of opposition > Thanks for the clarification. Looks like I'm in a native area. Dayton, right? Dayton is native VZW. SignatureSteve Sobol, Professional Geek ** Java/VB/VC/PHP/Perl ** Linux/*BSD/Windows Victorville, California PGP:0xE3AE35ED It's all fun and games until someone starts a bonfire in the living room. >"Mr. Uh Clem" <uhclem@DutchElmSt.invalid> wrote: >> Many people are using the NA network without a data plan. For them, data >> calls are billed just like voice calls. That means that if your voice [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] >they'll come up with one of those ill-trained people to set up my >account. :) If it were me, I wouldn't take that tack. Remember, the reps get a commission for selling those $60/mo data plans, so they are not motivated to give you free data access. I would simply get a phone that has the features you want (including data features), buy a USB cable for it, and try it. If it works, great. If it doesn't, *then* try to get them to set it up. Do all this in the first 15 days so you can bail out, no questions asked, if you don't get what you want. Otherwise, you are stuck with a contract. Note that you only get one shot at the 15-day risk-free trial. If you trade in the phone for another one in that 15 days, you don't get another chance. Hope that helps. Good luck. SignatureDave >>> One thing seems certain: You are not *guarenteed* data access with a >>> voice plan. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > commission for selling those $60/mo data plans, so they are not > motivated to give you free data access. Hopefully, they will recognize that that way leads to $0. :) > I would simply get a phone that has the features you want (including > data features), buy a USB cable for it, and try it. If it works, great. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Hope that helps. Good luck. Appreciate your advice! If I survive the holidays and a wedding, I'll be considering this in January Yes, Steve, Dayton. Your old college stomping grounds, IIRC. SignatureClem "If you push something hard enough, it will fall over." - Fudd's first law of opposition >>> Rich <rich@donotsendmeemail.com> wrote: >> [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] > >How much do they charge for the Unlimited Broadband data plan? don't be confused. your initial impression was correct. verizon's america's choice plan has free calling between 9:01pm-5:59am mon-fri and all day sat and sun. many phones are capable of being tethered to a laptop for 'backdoor' internet access. your data time will cost minutes-of-use and during the free calling period you won't even burn minutes. i strongly suggest that you get theyself over to the 'inernet-by-cellphone' group at <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/InternetByCellPhone/>, sign up and read the tutorials i mentioned earlier before you make any final decision. 73, rich, n9dko |
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