I live in an area where cable is not available. In fact, DSL is not even available. We choose between Satellite internet (500ms+ ping, 15kb/s DL, 500MB bandwidth cap) or a cell carrier network, with USB modems and tethered phones (200ms ping, 120kb/s DL, 5GB bandwidth cap). Verizon has by far the largest data network, and is the only one we get decent reception with where we live. I have been hit several times by massive data bills, and however easy you think it would be to avoid, it is not. I will break down the issues.
1. Data usage (by volume) is reported only after roughly 24 hours after the use occurred. 2. Until recently, data usage was reported in both bit and byte formats, depending where you were checking your usage. In addition, the usage allowed was sometimes listed as 5 gigabytes, when in fact the limit was 5000 megabytes, for which Verizon was forced to change their advertising and usage reporting to customers. 3. Even now, data usage reports will show tethered usage (which has the 5GB limit) and phone-only usage (which is unlimited) either added together, or side by side but not clarified, and sometimes will not say which usage is listed (such as on the billing page itself!), leaving you to struggle with which source for data usage is accurate and will not cost you extra to trust. 4. Also until recently, the overage charge for data on Verizon's plans was MUCH higher than it is currently (if someone can check the exact prices, I can't seem to find the change). All it took was a computer left running overnight that you forgot to disconnect from the modem, while Windows or an anti-virus program does an automatic late-night download, and you were busted big time. God help you if you left a torrent going, you could easily get over $1000 just from data in one night. 5. The only plans Verizon offers where more than one PC can use the same data connection simultaneously are their USB modems with wi-fi (which are notoriously slow), or one of the Droid phones with it's own wi-fi access point (which only has a 2GB limit). This requires multiple devices and full data plans for each, which piles up very quickly when compared to a single cable modem supplying more than enough bandwidth for a multiple PC home.
I know that the area I live in is rather uncommon for a customer base with a demand for the newest technology, but let me tell you... it sucks pretty hard. I would gladly pay two or three hundred a month for a 4g LTE tether that could be shared by multiple devices.
It almost makes me want to push the other way on net neutrality. Let them make all the rules they want, just offer me good service at a reasonable (even if rather high) cost.
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I live in an area where cable is not available. In fact, DSL is not even available. We choose between Satellite internet (500ms+ ping, 15kb/s DL, 500MB bandwidth cap) or a cell carrier network, with USB modems and tethered phones (200ms ping, 120kb/s DL, 5GB bandwidth cap). Verizon has by far the largest data network, and is the only one we get decent reception with where we live. I have been hit several times by massive data bills, and however easy you think it would be to avoid, it is not. I will break down the issues.
1. Data usage (by volume) is reported only after roughly 24 hours after the use occurred.
2. Until recently, data usage was reported in both bit and byte formats, depending where you were checking your usage. In addition, the usage allowed was sometimes listed as 5 gigabytes, when in fact the limit was 5000 megabytes, for which Verizon was forced to change their advertising and usage reporting to customers.
3. Even now, data usage reports will show tethered usage (which has the 5GB limit) and phone-only usage (which is unlimited) either added together, or side by side but not clarified, and sometimes will not say which usage is listed (such as on the billing page itself!), leaving you to struggle with which source for data usage is accurate and will not cost you extra to trust.
4. Also until recently, the overage charge for data on Verizon's plans was MUCH higher than it is currently (if someone can check the exact prices, I can't seem to find the change). All it took was a computer left running overnight that you forgot to disconnect from the modem, while Windows or an anti-virus program does an automatic late-night download, and you were busted big time. God help you if you left a torrent going, you could easily get over $1000 just from data in one night.
5. The only plans Verizon offers where more than one PC can use the same data connection simultaneously are their USB modems with wi-fi (which are notoriously slow), or one of the Droid phones with it's own wi-fi access point (which only has a 2GB limit). This requires multiple devices and full data plans for each, which piles up very quickly when compared to a single cable modem supplying more than enough bandwidth for a multiple PC home.
I know that the area I live in is rather uncommon for a customer base with a demand for the newest technology, but let me tell you... it sucks pretty hard. I would gladly pay two or three hundred a month for a 4g LTE tether that could be shared by multiple devices.
It almost makes me want to push the other way on net neutrality. Let them make all the rules they want, just offer me good service at a reasonable (even if rather high) cost.