Verizon Mobile Broadband DAYPASS

[Joey Ketcham]

I found out recently that Verizon offers a mobile broadband daypass, for $15 you have internet connection for 24 hours. This means no contract and you can get the connection anytime you want.

I know this isn't for everyone, but for people like me this is perfect. I was paying $59/mo for mobile broadband through Verizon when really the only time I used it was for storm chasing, during the off season I used it maybe only once or twice. I decided to pay the $105 to break out of my contract and went ahead and picked up a new USB Modem and now have it setup so that when needed I can get internet access. I tested it out today and works perfect.

So if you are like me and want internet access for chasing but don't want to be in a contract where you will be having to pay $60/mo for a year or two, you might check this out as an option.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=plans_daypass

 

[Brett Roberts]

I just finished my search for a new mobile broadband provider for the season (R.I.P. Alltel), and while I ended up going with Millenicom, I did take a look at Verizon. I was under the impression you could go month-to-month @ $60/mo. without a contract if you purchase your own card elsewhere. To me, this seems like a much better value for the typical chaser -- who will probably need coverage at least 4 days/month from April-June -- than the day pass, not to mention the hassle of re-activating service the morning of each chase.

Of course, once you have your own modem, it would be easy enough to choose between the day pass and monthly service depending upon the circumstances. I can see the day pass coming in quite handy when we finally get another decent fall setup (maybe by 2020?).

 

[Josh Richardson]

I did take a look at Verizon. I was under the impression you could go month-to-month @ $60/mo. without a contract if you purchase your own card elsewhere. To me, this seems like a much better value for the typical chaser -- who will probably need coverage at least 4 days/month from April-June -- than the day pass, not to mention the hassle of re-activating service the morning of each chase.

Your correct, if you just buy the card somewhere else like Ebay you can just take it there and pay activation every year and only the 59.99 per month during the chase season. I did that last year and will be doing it again this year.

 

[Tim Stoecklein]

Be aware, depending on how much data you use, the $15 is for 75MB. Yeah, I know, it should cover most people's needs, I just like it when the whole picture is framed

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=plans

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Yeah as I said it's not for everyone, I don't chase nearly as much as I would like to and normally don't chase 4 days in a row. Plus I don't do streaming, and most of the time when I'm out and needing to look at forecast models I can connect to a WiFi hotspot to do that so for me this is perfect without having to pay $50 a month.

 

[David Goines]

I think it's a great idea for "off-season" chasing but for active months I think paying for 5gb plan is the best bet. If you end up chasing for 5 days in one month that's $75 with the daypass.
So I figure for April, May, June and maybe July the 5gb/month plan would be best.
$35 activation fee in April + $240 for the 4 months of data.
And then use the daily thing for those off season opportunities.
I bought a USB727 on ebay for $40 and just use that. Pretty cheap and convenient.
Activation for the monthly 5gb plan and the daypass are as easy as calling customer service or you can do it on MyVerizon I think.

 

[Sean Waugh]

Be forewarned. I tried this a few months ago. It seemed like a great idea, only paying it on a day to day or month by month basis. I bought the card and installed everything then I went to try and turn it on. It wouldn't connect. After several DAYS of phone calls to customer service I finally got to someone who explained to me that the daily or monthly plan requires that you "activate" your card inside one of the major coverage areas, such as Wichita, KS or Tulsa, OK. And furthermore, it won't work outside of those major network areas. This was something that I was not told in my many phone calls before I bought the thing. I got it returned for a full refund.

This may have changed since I did it, but I just thought I would pass along my experience.

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Be forewarned. I tried this a few months ago. It seemed like a great idea, only paying it on a day to day or month by month basis. I bought the card and installed everything then I went to try and turn it on. It wouldn't connect. After several DAYS of phone calls to customer service I finally got to someone who explained to me that the daily or monthly plan requires that you "activate" your card inside one of the major coverage areas, such as Wichita, KS or Tulsa, OK. And furthermore, it won't work outside of those major network areas. This was something that I was not told in my many phone calls before I bought the thing. I got it returned for a full refund.

This may have changed since I did it, but I just thought I would pass along my experience.

I didn't have any problems activating it. I purchased the USB Modem in Joplin, MO and activated while there and have used it since getting back home here in Pittsburg, KS and it has worked fine. I'll continue to use it and see how it goes.

 

[Colin Davis]

I found out recently that Verizon offers a mobile broadband daypass, for $15 you have internet connection for 24 hours. This means no contract and you can get the connection anytime you want.

I know this isn't for everyone, but for people like me this is perfect. I was paying $59/mo for mobile broadband through Verizon when really the only time I used it was for storm chasing, during the off season I used it maybe only once or twice. I decided to pay the $105 to break out of my contract and went ahead and picked up a new USB Modem and now have it setup so that when needed I can get internet access. I tested it out today and works perfect.

So if you are like me and want internet access for chasing but don't want to be in a contract where you will be having to pay $60/mo for a year or two, you might check this out as an option.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=plans_daypass

Hey Joey,

Of course this depends on how much one gets out in any given year and when one is available to chase, but have you looked in on Verizon's month-by-month data package yet? It's what I use. You just need to buy a compatible card for your comp (I did eBay and am very happy with my USB720 card), take it in, and talk to them about the month-by-month package. Because you own the card, there's no contract. You turn it on for a $35 activation fee in the beginning of spring, pay $59.99/mo for the 5gb plan for as long as you have it in service, and turn it off (free) at the end of the season. The ONLY downside to this is that they charge you the $35 activation fee each time you turn it on, but it's a once a year thing.

I would think for someone like you who chases more often, this might be a better option than paying $15 every time you go out. If you chase more than 4 times in a month, the month-by-month plan kicks in as saving you cash, and it's significantly more convenient than having to set up the one-day plan each time to chase, especially if time is critical, as it often is in the spring.

Hopefully this helps and I'm not spouting useless information or information that you already know!

 

[Joey Ketcham]

Hey Joey,

Of course this depends on how much one gets out in any given year and when one is available to chase, but have you looked in on Verizon's month-by-month data package yet? It's what I use. You just need to buy a compatible card for your comp (I did eBay and am very happy with my USB720 card), take it in, and talk to them about the month-by-month package. Because you own the card, there's no contract. You turn it on for a $35 activation fee in the beginning of spring, pay $59.99/mo for the 5gb plan for as long as you have it in service, and turn it off (free) at the end of the season. The ONLY downside to this is that they charge you the $35 activation fee each time you turn it on, but it's a once a year thing.

I would think for someone like you who chases more often, this might be a better option than paying $15 every time you go out. If you chase more than 4 times in a month, the month-by-month plan kicks in as saving you cash, and it's significantly more convenient than having to set up the one-day plan each time to chase, especially if time is critical, as it often is in the spring.

Hopefully this helps and I'm not spouting useless information or information that you already know!

There is a Verizon store right down the road, I will talk with them and check into that. My main problem was just having to have a 2-year contract when I only used it a few months of the year. I will check into this.

 

[cedwards]

Another option is this place:
http://www.rovair.com/rovair-on-demand/
if you have your own card, you can activate it only when you need it. or you can rent the card and pay the shipping for however many days you need for $5.95/day
you can choose Sprint or Verizon.

 

[Warren Faidley]

I also purchased one of the plug-in Verizon USB 760 modems to use as a back-up data source since my ATT service is shrinking / slowing every year in the Alley.

A couple of notes: Be very careful buying used USB modems off eBay. Some Verizon outlets will not activate a used modem with an existing ID number attached to it, thus, you see some on eBay that are "clear." I am not sure if all locations have this restriction.

Note that the "pay as you go" data plans, requiring no contract, have time limits, e.g., the $15.00, 75 MB plan expires in 24hours. They just recently updated their site to note this. It's kind of a rip, as they should allow you to "fill the tank" when needed, and have no expiration on the MB you purchase. Such is the greedy mobile phone industry.

W.

 

[Michael.Brewer]

I second RovAir...

Now like has been said, these type of plans are not for everyone. I only need internet for chase days or vacation trips, so RovAir has been perfect for me. I bought from ebay two Verizon cards and one Sprint card, and RovAir has my ESN's on file for each card. I purchased 30 days in advance ($5.95 per day) and just activate by email whichever card I need. Some cons with RovAir: you have to give a 24 hour notice before activation; I think now the minimum is two days per activation (they might work with you on that); your days expire after one year.

Last year I did try the Verizon DayPass when it was $10, and it was ok, but I switched to RovAir when they bumped it up to $15 a day. RovAir also gives me the Sprint option, just in case I'm in an area where Sprint has better coverage.

With any data plans or mobile devices out there, make sure to read the fine print.

 

[Ryan McGinnis]

I just finished my search for a new mobile broadband provider for the season (R.I.P. Alltel),

Actually, if you were a former Alltel customer, so long as you don't change your plan, you're still under the Alltel plan. I'm still getting the unlimited (no 5GB cap) tether on my smartphone via Alltel. The phone broke recently and they even allowed me to replace the phone with a new (identical) phone and keep the plan.

Don't know how long that gravy train will run down the tracks, but hopefully long enough for something else similarly priced to come along. The iPad is a bit of a game changer with data, with it's flat $29 a month no contract data plan. Hopefully that'll trickle down into other devices on other services.