Data card for Verizon

[cedwards]

I am looking to upgrade my old Alltel data card, but don't like any of the reviews on the Verizon devices.

What are people using for data with Verizon?

I was thinking I may get better connection speeds if I upgrade to something new, but after reading review on the devices available, I may be better off keeping my old technology.

 

[Pat Darrow]

I use Verizon's USB760 data card with an external antenna and booster. I have not had any problems with it. I am eligible to upgrade to a 4G device and may try that given it is supposed to be 3G compatible as well. But, why fix something that's not broke?

 

[Jason Foster]

I believe verizon has their version of the 598u from Sierra wireless, which is the same many use on Sprint. Great card. Prob. find on eBay cheap too....if you don't mind not have 4g ability.

 

[Dave Rennie]

I have the Verizon UMW190 Global USB modem, and have not had a problem with it. This year I'm going to try adding a Wilson Mobile Pro signal amplifier to try for greater coverage.

 

[Mark Sefried]

I have a Novatel usb727 card that I got used for $25 on ebay and have had it for a year with Verizon. I have it hooked up to a wilson dual band antenna and my connection has been rock solid. Eventually I will upgrade to a 4g modem in a couple of years but for now I am very pleased with its performance. If you plan on doing any chasing in Western OK, you might want to get service through Sprint because of a large data hole on Verizon's network. In a couple of years the data hole in Western OK will be covered in Verizon's network with 4g service since they recently signed an agreement with a local carrier in that region.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Novatel USB727 has the same chipset as the USB760, just in a slightly bigger case. They are much cheaper on eBay last time I looked.

 

[Wes Carter]

Verizon UM-150, made by Pantech. It works well and has a port to hook an external antenna. Plus, all of the Cradlepoint Routers are configured for it.

 

[Steve Polley]

Charles, if your Alltel card is still holding up ok and the antenna port is still intact, I would just stay with what you currently have. Some of the reviews I have heard on the new 4g cards arent that good as they have trouble locking onto a 3g signal. Also, the Verizon store will try to tell you that you have to switch to a verizon plan that is only 5 gb when you try to upgrade. You can still keep your Alltel unlimited plan and upgrade to the new Verizon card. Never let go of the ol' Alltel plan.

 

[Andy Wycislo]

I'm wanting to buy a Verizon 3G USB card, because apparently Verizon will let you sign up for a few months then cancel. Can only get 4G cards from the stores now, but 3G cards look plentiful on eBay. Can someone give me some guidance on this? Who to trust for a 3G card (probably one of the Novatel ones) and exactly how Verizon will handle it?

 

[Gordon Spencer]

Get Verizon Service through Millenicom . The advanced plan is on Verizon . They cannot tell you that because of Non Disclosure agreement.
Advantages of going through Millenicom
1) No Taxes since they are out of Oregon
2) You get 20GB per month instead of 5GB
3) No Contract - you go month to month and can cancel at any time with no early termination fees
WWW.Millenicom.com

I'm wanting to buy a Verizon 3G USB card, because apparently Verizon will let you sign up for a few months then cancel. Can only get 4G cards from the stores now, but 3G cards look plentiful on eBay. Can someone give me some guidance on this? Who to trust for a 3G card (probably one of the Novatel ones) and exactly how Verizon will handle it?

 

[Nick Nolte]

Get Verizon Service through Millenicom . The advanced plan is on Verizon . They cannot tell you that because of Non Disclosure agreement.
Advantages of going through Millenicom
1) No Taxes since they are out of Oregon
2) You get 20GB per month instead of 5GB
3) No Contract - you go month to month and can cancel at any time with no early termination fees
WWW.Millenicom.com

Just to add to Gordon, you can put your account on vacation for 3 months out of 12, so if you want to shut it down Nov-Jan you can without incurring a fee. Otherwise if you shut it off longer than 3 months, when you have them reactivate it there is a $19.99 activation charge. And for anyone else perusing the thread the other plans: Unlimited and BYOD, are on the Sprint network.

 

[Adam Simone]

I'm going to buy a Verizon Wireless USB card on EBAY. Now I'm trying to decide if I should go with Verizon prepaid plan for $50 a month and 1GB or Millenicom for $70 and 50GB. I will only use the card while I'm chasing which will only be 2 or 3 times a month. While I'm chasing I will use grlevel3 radar, F5data, other internet sites and possibly stream live video. Do you think 1GB is enough or will I need more?

 

[Nick Nolte]

I'm going to buy a Verizon Wireless USB card on EBAY. Now I'm trying to decide if I should go with Verizon prepaid plan for $50 a month and 1GB or Millenicom for $70 and 50GB.

From what I understand the Unlimited Plan (the 50GB cap one) is on the Sprint Network.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I have been ripping my hair out deciding exactly how exactly I want to make the switch [damn you ATT for sucking so much] and I think I am finally sold on either Millenicom or simply signing up and getting a 4G LTE USB card after seeing how fast it worked in Denver. Since I have used ATT for the past 3 years I never monitored my data usage so I am going to see if I can locate how much I used per month to see just exactly how much data I consume while chasing, especially last year when I chased more aggressively than ever...and finally solve the debate for myself on just how easy it is to go over that damn 5GB cap.

I loathe USB modems, they are cheap and Ive seen multiple people break them multiple times, but since they can be easily mounted to the laptop itself via a usb extension cord as opposed to having them stick out the side, I will probably go that route.

 

[Andy Wycislo]

I have been ripping my hair out deciding exactly how exactly I want to make the switch [damn you ATT for sucking so much] and I think I am finally sold on either Millenicom or simply signing up and getting a 4G LTE USB card after seeing how fast it worked in Denver. Since I have used ATT for the past 3 years I never monitored my data usage so I am going to see if I can locate how much I used per month to see just exactly how much data I consume while chasing, especially last year when I chased more aggressively than ever...and finally solve the debate for myself on just how easy it is to go over that damn 5GB cap.

I loathe USB modems, they are cheap and Ive seen multiple people break them multiple times, but since they can be easily mounted to the laptop itself via a usb extension cord as opposed to having them stick out the side, I will probably go that route.

I'm in the same boat. I could get by tethering to my iPhone, but thanks to the iMap coming to CTV I'm going to want to stream all the time, which I can't get done on AT&T. If you go the 4G route, Verizon's pricing looks very clear-cut, $50/month plus $10/GB over that. That's how AT&T is as well. I'll gladly take the $10/GB overage instead of being shut off. What I can't seem to figure out is if I can get this same pricing plan with a 3G modem. Got an email out to Verizon, haven't heard back yet. Millenicom seems like a good route, but it sounds like I can also suspend my Verizon account for the fall/winter. The other 4G limitation is that the modems are $250 outright, compared to ~$50 for a 3G one on eBay. Has anyone else heard that the 4G modems have trouble keeping a 3G connection? I've read this a couple places.