Verizon Blesses Phone-As-Modem Plans

DigitalDame2 writes "PC Magazine reports that Verizon Wireless has decided to let its subscribers use their cell phones as high-speed modems for their laptops. For $59.99 per month, users of the LG VX9800, Motorola RAZR V3c, Motorola E815, and LG VX8100 phones will connect to Verizon's BroadbandAccess EV-DO network." From the article: "For a while now, Verizon subscribers have illicitly used their phones as modems; various Web sites have information on how to do so. But up until now, doing so has violated service contracts, leaving users open to Verizon cutting off their service or charging high per-kilobyte fees."

Comments

tmobile

[MikeFM]

I have an N-Gage QD with T-Mobile and use the phone as a modem for my laptop for $20/month. I had to get a little bluetooth adapter for about $20 from Fry's and it works really well. It's about two to three times faster than a normal modem it seems but not as fast as DSL. Still it works almost anywhere my phone works, is an unlimited plan, and I can even use my phone as a phone even while using it as a modem. Overall, I like it a lot.

Re:tmobile

[the_tsi]

As far as i can tell, they don't offer the $20/unlimited bytes a la carte plan anymore, you have to be grandfathered into it. I went to change my plan options about a month ago and noticed it wasn't listed, so I stuck with the one you describe. I've been using it for almost two years over three sony/ericsson phones.

You could always do this, whats the big deal

[falcon5768]

You could always use your phone as a modem, and contrary to the article it WASNT illicit.

If you had the contract (and the money) you could use the high speed network using Verizons buisness plan, you got a USB cable and some software and you where good to go, if you just used your phone as a modem though without the plan, you where limited to 14.4 but it was free and NOT against contract. Infact I used it all the time when I lived in a apartment and couldnt use the modem because I needed the phone, but ALSO needed to go online. I even have the booklet FROM Verizon that says I could do this.

it seems all this is, is that Verizon now ungimps their bluetooth modem ability, nothing more.

Re:You could always do this, whats the big deal

[Boogaroo]

They're not talking about the 14.4k being illicit. It was the high speed part that they're talking about. People with certain non-billed features were able to use the $60/month high speed network while only using minutes.

Websites gave details, drivers, and instructions on how to get Verizon to change your account to make it happen. Hell, even store employees would tell customers what to do to make it happen. They'd even setup the account right.

People were pissed when suddenly they couldn't get online and were told to pick between expensive, or slow. I known several people that ran into that issue.

Bad Verizon, Bad!

[feijai]

Verizon has done whatever it can to prevent users from taking advantage of their own phones. Why? Because with the best coverage, they figure they can mess with their customers and they won't leave.

To whit:

1. Instead of Java, Verizon has insisted that its phone manufacturers install Qualcomm's noxious "BREW" standard, with its awful GUI and lack of portability. You cannot make a free BREW app. If you want to distribute an app for your company to run on its cell phones, for example, you have to pay Qualcomm and Verizon some serious money.
2. Various phones Verizon sells can run Java fine before Verizon tinkers with them. But in order to enforce its BREW money-maker, Verizon disables the Java and requires the manufacturer to run BREW instead.
3. Verizon is also careful to make certain that users cannot add their own ringtones. All ringtones must go through "Get It Now!", Verizon's BREW-based profit center.
4. Likewise for wallpapers on many (but not all) of the phones.
5. Verizon has intentionally disabled Bluetooth on a number of phones (like the Motorola v710 and E815). The one phone Verizon has which has full Bluetooth capability (the Nokia 6256i) Verizon refuses to sell in their stores or to repair. Verizon also deleted the Nokia's media player feature and arranged it that the 6256i can upload MP3 files but cannot play them as ringtones. The company has an open policy of refusing to allow perfectly good CDMA phones on its network if they are not broken in these regards.
6. The article is incorrect. Verizon has always allowed EVDO and RX1TT phones to use its data network. But to do so requires paying Verizon 1.5 cents per KILOBYTE. For those paying attention, that's $15 for a 1MB file. They offer various "plans", stuff like 10MB for $50, and now unlimited for $60. On top of your phone plan: verizon's minimum plan is $40 so you're talking $100 a month for the "faster" cellular data rates. Verizon still offers a 14.4Kbps modem option (actually about 10K) that just uses up your minutes. But it may be phased out.
7. And the Verizon UI. What can I say? Verizon is trying to force all its phone manufacturers to offer the same BREW-based UI, one which appears to have been invented by chimpanzees.

The reason for all of this is that Verizon wants the phones to be an extension of its cellular service. You must use their phone to use their plan, and thus must pay extra $$$ (big-time) for features that ordinarily you would have free for your phone. Many on /. are too young to remember the last company that did this. It was called AT&T. A long time ago if you wanted to make a phone call you had to rent one of their phones. They were the definition of "monopolistic predatory practice".

Re:Why are they still in business?

[bobbutts]

1. unlimited in network calling
2. network coverage
3. Ringtones, Picture Transfer, (partial) Bluetooth easily enabled.

So the crippled Java is a drawback still, but hopefully this answers you.

I've been using express network once in awhile over bluetooth for over a year now.
The thing that kind of bugs me with this new service they offer is that it's $60 a month. I really appreciate having the connection available when needed, but I use it only once every few months at most. No way I'm going to fork over $60 for this. Wondering if they will now clamp down on my occasional usage.
more info
http://howardforums.com/ is a very active cellular forum
http://www.nuclearelephant.com/papers/v710.html has lots of specific info on v710 and e815