Verizon Wireless for Laptops

[RussN]

Okay, this is where I'm having the confusion with terms. What is the diference between wireless & WiFi? The internal thingie in my laptop grabs signals floating around. Are they only grabbing WiFi signals? And are the signals only coming from DSL landlines which are coming from a wireless router/modem? (I may be using those words wrong. I mean the box that is connected to my landline wire, or the ones at hotels.)

Whereas,"wireless" is coming from cellphone signals?

Yes, it can be very confusing if your not into the "IT world" side of things.

Your laptop likely has built-in WiFi as most new laptops do. This requires that you be near a wirless routing (DLink, Linksys, Netgear, etc..) That wireless router then connects into DSL, Cable Modem, etc.

The other card mentioned in this thread is a EVDO modem. As it states, it is typically a USB "dongle" that attaches to your computer and then you get internet access over the cell phone network. As long as you are in cell phone range you have internet no matter where you go.

I wouldn't advise switching over from your DSL to a EVDO modem unless you travel a lot or always need to be connected "on-the-go". EVDO modems can get very expensive and are not nearly as fast as your DSL connection into your house.

Hopefully this helps out a little.

 

[Imzadi]

Thanks. That helps a lot.

I do visit my mom for a few days each month & she does not have any Internet service. So I have to wait till we visit my sister & I can use her computer. So I have less computer access than I'd like. I had thought about taking my laptop with me & connecting to the WiFi at McDonalds or a nearby hotel. But again, that limits my time & access.

I also thought about simply getting a cellphone with Internet capabilities, so I can at least check my Gmail And surf the web a little.

Is EVDO a separate laptop service or is it part of a cellphone package? Meaning, if I get a new cellphone with Internet capabilities, (I'm assuming that would be the Wireless?) can I just order a EVDO card, too for an additional fee?

I freelance different jobs. Most of the jobs are booked by email. Because I have to wait till I get home to respond to emails, I've lost job offers while many of my co-workers are snagging the offers as they come in through their cellphones.

Since I'm at a point of signing a new contract for my laptop Internet anyway, I'm wondering if I can get just one service: cellphone with wireless & an EVDO card added for an additional fee, and NOT get the dry loop DSL.

Or would I have to have the dry loop DSL for my laptop at home, PLUS get a cellphone with wireless AND an EVDO card added for third additional fee?

If I could not even get the dry loop DSL, even if the EVDO is more money, I might be saving overall to cover the EVDO + cellphone.

 

[pixeegrl]

Two different things here. You have DSL. That is provided by Verizon the landline company. The wireless the OP is asking about is through their EVDO aircard and is provided by Verizon Wireless.

Actually it is through Verizon Wireless and it is not DSL it is their EVDO. My plan which is $59.99 a month states we have unlimited.

 

[RussN]

Thanks. That helps a lot.

I do visit my mom for a few days each month & she does not have any Internet service. So I have to wait till we visit my sister & I can use her computer. So I have less computer access than I'd like. I had thought about taking my laptop with me & connecting to the WiFi at McDonalds or a nearby hotel. But again, that limits my time & access.

I also thought about simply getting a cellphone with Internet capabilities, so I can at least check my Gmail And surf the web a little.

Is EVDO a separate laptop service or is it part of a cellphone package? Meaning, if I get a new cellphone with Internet capabilities, (I'm assuming that would be the Wireless?) can I just order a EVDO card, too for an additional fee?

I freelance different jobs. Most of the jobs are booked by email. Because I have to wait till I get home to respond to emails, I've lost job offers while many of my co-workers are snagging the offers as they come in through their cellphones.

Since I'm at a point of signing a new contract for my laptop Internet anyway, I'm wondering if I can get just one service: cellphone with wireless & an EVDO card added for an additional fee, and NOT get the dry loop DSL.

Or would I have to have the dry loop DSL for my laptop at home, PLUS get a cellphone with wireless AND an EVDO card added for third additional fee?

If I could not even get the dry loop DSL, even if the EVDO is more money, I might be saving overall to cover the EVDO + cellphone.

It sounds like a phone with internet capabilities would best suit you, this will allow you to check your e-mail and do 'limited' web surfing. I say limited because not only is it hard to surf the web on a mobile phone, but most phones lack features such as Adobe Flash and Java (no need to worry if you don't know what those are).

Sometimes with the newer phones you can add "tethering" to your phone. This will allow you to connect your phone to your laptop and use your phone as a modem. There is an additional fee for allowing tethering and not all phones do this as well.

Otherwise the EVDO (Sprint/Verison) and/or UMTS (AT&T) service is usually a separate USB card that you plug into your laptop. It is definitely very nice to have especially when you in a place that has no internet, but it usually comes at a high price of $60/month. May not seem like a lot, but adds up in my household.

 

[RussN]

Actually it is through Verizon Wireless and it is not DSL it is their EVDO. My plan which is $59.99 a month states we have unlimited.

I would check again, all providers have now changed their service plans to include a cap. Sprint was the last company not to have a cap on their data plans, but they too just recently implemented a 5 GB cap on their EVDO service.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Sprint-To-Impose-5GB-Monthly-EVDO-Cap-94576

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2382/64/
"Effective June 22, 2008, Verizon has now changed how overage charges will affect those who exceed allotted usage per month."

We use both Verizon and Sprint for our business and even the business plans now have a cap. Although worded differently then the consumer plans, they still "Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred and to deny, terminate, modify, or suspend service if usage exceeds 5GB per month in total or 300MB/month while off-network roaming. Check your subscriber agreement rights on Sprint.com."

 

[mookie]

I would check again, all providers have now changed their service plans to include a cap. Sprint was the last company not to have a cap on their data plans, but they too just recently implemented a 5 GB cap on their EVDO service.

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Sprint-To-Impose-5GB-Monthly-EVDO-Cap-94576

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2382/64/
"Effective June 22, 2008, Verizon has now changed how overage charges will affect those who exceed allotted usage per month."

We use both Verizon and Sprint for our business and even the business plans now have a cap. Although worded differently then the consumer plans, they still "Sprint reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred and to deny, terminate, modify, or suspend service if usage exceeds 5GB per month in total or 300MB/month while off-network roaming. Check your subscriber agreement rights on Sprint.com."

I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what under 5GB gets me. How much surfing time? How would I figure out if that's enough, or if I'll risk getting close to the overage?

(Noob here....be nice!)

 

[prncess674]

I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what under 5GB gets me. How much surfing time? How would I figure out if that's enough, or if I'll risk getting close to the overage?

(Noob here....be nice!)

As a casual web surfer you wouldn't get close. Unless you are streaming lots of video and such you wouldn't ever go over it with use.

 

[RussN]

I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out exactly what under 5GB gets me. How much surfing time? How would I figure out if that's enough, or if I'll risk getting close to the overage?

(Noob here....be nice!)

No, I agree very confusing and frustrating at the same time. I would love to use the service but I crank through 5 GB of data within a week or two (I'm a 'power user').

If you haven't received a letter and no overage charges, then I would say your on the right track and keep up what your doing.

Within the Verizon software you should have a usage tab or history tab and if you put in your bill cycle it will tell you how much data you have used. Data is everything from web surfing, to e-mail, to downloads, etc... Essentially everything that you do while connected to the EVDO service.

I believe some of these companies make a 'fine art' out of the fine print in some of these contracts (including cell phone companies and credit card companies). If you don't watch out, one day they come up behind you and catch you off guard. Hate that.

 

[JB2K]

EVDO/3G - These data networks are used by inserting a special "wireless card" from one of the four major cell phone carriers (Verizon Wireless, Sprint, AT&T Mobility, and T-Mobile) into your PC or laptop. It accesses the internet via your local cell phone tower. There is a monthly charge/contract for this type service.

Wi-Fi - if your PC has "wireless capability", chances are it accesses the internet by picking-up a Wi-Fi signal in the neighborhood (or hotel), or from any PC in your home which has a wireless router plugged-in. This may or may not be offered for free at hotels, etc.

Dry Loop (Naked) DSL - a dedicated DSL line into your home -- usually provided by Verizon (Wireline), AT&T, Qwest, or one of the rural phone companies.

And, of course, there's regular DSL, cable modem, and dial-up.

(For those of you who live in the mid-Atlantic and points north, Verizon, to most of the rest of the U.S., only offers wireless phone services)

Hope this helps...

 

[ofhs93]

I think the wireless service quality greatly depends on your location when trying to compare ATT to Verizon ect....in *MY* area the ATT 3G is WAY faster than what Verizon has to offer. It's all about your LOCAL network...and of course you would want to check on the network in areas that you frequently would be traveling in.

 

[dex08]

Getting in on this thread late and didn't read everyone's responses but...

I have a Verizon Wireless aircard for work that I am allowed to use for personal use as well. I wouldn't advise using it as your primary internet connection, however it works great when traveling and also when my home cable modem is out (darn those cable companies). I have an unlimited plan with no cap and the connection speed is only as good as the signal you are receiving similar to how a cell phone only is good when you have more bars.