cc licensed (BY) flickr photo shared by cogdogblog
With the recent Verizon upgrade here to 4G it eas time to upgrade my Mifi unit; the old one (right) a Novatel 2020, was one of the originals. It’s virtue was I had an unlimited data plan.
But its connectivity here was quirky.. and my iPhone is getting sick speeds in 4G (I clocked 23 MB/s the first day).
The new JetPack 4620 LE (left, marked "FAST:) is thicker because it has a beefier battery, and has much more display information than the old one’s single colored light.
The downside is I had to go for a metered data plan. I was able to combine the iPhone/Mifi to one shared data plan, with 16Gb per month, for only $10 more than my old plans.
The downside again is I hit 16 GB only 21 days into the billing period. It’s really not cut out to be my home primary network. And I am sure faster speeds will make me even hungrier for use.
The upside is my first speedtest, was 14 MB/s down and 5 up
speedtest.net/result/2409581545.png
So I am signing up for my local cable company, which supposedly has improved their connectivity since I had it 2 years ago (and merged with a bigger company), and once in place, I can drop my Verizon plans down to a 2 or 4Gb a month plan.
I cannot rave enough about Verizon for their network improvements here in Strawberry, AZ (and most places I traveled across the USA in the last 20 months). In three years with AT&T their service actually got worse here, from marginal Edge data to none at all. And I have had nothing but excellent and responsive service from Verizon customer support. I hesitate to gush about a service provider, as in general I believe in the long run they will all screw you over.
The cost of being online! Its worth it.
Ugh, too late now, but you should have been able to keep your unlimited plan if you bought your Mifi unsubsidized. 🙁
I like using my iPad 3 as a 4G hotspot though, reportedly it will last as a hotspot for over 25 hours with the display off.
Thats what i was told by the rep at my local Verizon store, except he could not get his ordering system to accept it. I called Verizon, and the first sales rep said that was the case, but when I was transferred to the Dude, I was told that they do this only for phones, not Mifis. I tried everything, I explained I lived in an area where it was my only option (not quite true), that I needed it to teach online… no dice.
My friend told me of the iPad idea, wish I had before I bought a wireless ipad 3. I was leery of the ability for sustained tethering, e.g when i do video or audio streaming.
Boy, that does stink. I’m in the same boat with my current iPhone. I don’t want to lose my unlimited (although I rarely go over 1.2GB a month).
I wouldn’t have thought about it until I read anandtech and they mentioned the 25 hour battery life. Oh well, the iPad 6 will be even better when it’s time to upgrade!! 🙂