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Bad Karma: WISP Pares Back Its Monthly 4G Hotspot Plan, Again

Posted by timothy on from the lawyers-should-warn-you-about-certain-words dept.

Robotech_Master writes: The ongoing saga of the Neverstop plan shows that Karma Wireless just can't seem to catch a break as far as high-bandwidth plans are concerned. After starting out with a straight pay-per-bandwidth plan, "Refuel," for its $150 wireless hotspot, Karma thought it would innovate with a throttled-but-otherwise-unlimited 4G plan, "Neverstop." However, it soon discovered that users were taking it at its word and using up considerably more bandwidth than Karma expected or could afford. After experimenting with further throttling, Karma subsequently revamped the plan into a $50 per month, 15 GB plan that throttled to dialup speed after it ran out. However, now it turns out even that plan was too optimistic, and Karma has opted to dump the Neverstop plan altogether in favor of tiered monthly plan called Pulse —whose bandwidth costs significantly more. ($40/mo for 5 GB, $75 for 10 GB, $140 for 20 GB.) Karma's "unlimited" users weren't pleased the first time the plan changed, and now they're practically through the roof.

2 of 59 comments (clear)

  1. Unhappy customers... by Richard_at_work · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Karma's "unlimited" users weren't pleased the first time the plan changed, and now they're practically through the roof.

    If a company can't afford to deliver the product as sold, and they aren't bound to a contract to deliver that product as sold for more than one billing period, then what do these users think is going to happen - Karma Wireless is going to continue to provide a loss making service until the company goes under with massive debts?

    Karma Wireless tried something, it failed (mainly because they screwed up forecasting costs) and now they are moving on.

  2. 250GB for $48 per month. by pcjunky · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I run a WISP in a heavily competitive area with both CenturyLink and Comcast as competitors. We sell a residential service that averages 25Mbps down and 9 up. 250GB per month for $48/per month. We use the cheapest radios available, Ubiquiti.

    I don't understand a WISP who can't make money at a $50/month and 15GB limit plan.