new phone with wifi hotspot
I am beginning to shop for my next phone. I am still using my old G'Zone type s. I love the 2 week battery life (after almost 4 years), the signal strength (I can get calls where no one else can), and clutzproofnes (I tend to put phones in the washing machine). I don't generally text.
I need a mobile hotspot. I have been using the mifi with unlimited usage from Virgin Mobile, but the customer service is so bad I have been without service for a month. I realize that I will loose my old phone plan with 300min./mo. And have to pay about 3x more than I am paying now for my phone service, but at least I will have service with Verizon.
The features that I am looking for are primarily a the wifi hot spot, and a phone that can be used ...
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I need a mobile hotspot. I have been using the mifi with unlimited usage from Virgin Mobile, but the customer service is so bad I have been without service for a month. I realize that I will loose my old phone plan with 300min./mo. And have to pay about 3x more than I am paying now for my phone service, but at least I will have service with Verizon.
The features that I am looking for are primarily a the wifi hot spot, and a phone that can be used ...
(continues)
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The only phones that work as hotspots are some of the Android and Palm phones. You probably would NOT have to change your minute plans, but you ARE going to be adding about $35 to $50 to your bill, because those phones will require you to have a data plan for the phone itself, then you're adding $20/mo for the hotspot.
Alternately, what I've had people do in the past was to add the Palm Pre Plus as a secondary line on their family share. The data was required, but on the Palms they were giving the hotspot away for free (Palm only). The last time I did this, the phone cost $40/mo ($10 for the line, $30 for unlimited on-phone Internet). If you manage to do it with the current (but going out) Smartphone promo, you would end up paying $30...
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Alternately, what I've had people do in the past was to add the Palm Pre Plus as a secondary line on their family share. The data was required, but on the Palms they were giving the hotspot away for free (Palm only). The last time I did this, the phone cost $40/mo ($10 for the line, $30 for unlimited on-phone Internet). If you manage to do it with the current (but going out) Smartphone promo, you would end up paying $30...
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Suggestion.. if you look around you can still find the Palm devices, you can pick up a Pre Or Pixi for next to nothing and they have the 5gb hotspot for free!
So find one, pay $29.99 a month for data on top of you normal plan and get the hotspot included.
Both Palm models are good devices.. they don't have the best app store, not the best for email, but they are good phones and you will get the hotpot you need, so I would look into it if I was you
So find one, pay $29.99 a month for data on top of you normal plan and get the hotspot included.
Both Palm models are good devices.. they don't have the best app store, not the best for email, but they are good phones and you will get the hotpot you need, so I would look into it if I was you
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You'd honestly be better off to get a basic phone to use as a phone and then a Mifi or Five Spot on Verizon. They have the $35 plan for 3GB right now or $50 for 5GB. It would be cheaper for more usage in the long run. If you were to get a PDA, which you'd basically have to for the hotpot, you'd be paying the at least a $15 data plan on the PDA, or possibly $29.99 if you wanted unlimited data on it. Then you'd be paying another $20 on top of that for Wifi Hotspot and only getting 2GB with that. The overage rate is another $20 for each GB. The overage rates on the separate Mifi/FiveSpot devices are only $10 per GB>
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I have had nothing but trouble with the Mifi I have now. My issues are with the hardware and Virgin Mobile's tech support. As much as I like the device it is broken more frequently than it works. They are both Mifi2200 made by Novatell [sp], so I would assume it would have the same issues.
You only get 2gb for $20? That is useless. I don't know what I will do. I thought it was at least 5gb.
The difference is that the phone will have unlimited dataso I will be able to use the phone for some browsing, and the hot spot would have more limited use than now.
You only get 2gb for $20? That is useless. I don't know what I will do. I thought it was at least 5gb.
The difference is that the phone will have unlimited dataso I will be able to use the phone for some browsing, and the hot spot would have more limited use than now.
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I own the Verizon MiFi and had some issues at first. After the latest firmware upgrade it has been perfect. The new FiveSpot also seems solid. We've sold a lot of them.
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There's two types of hotspot service: MiFi, or on-phone.
MiFi has a $50 plan for 5GB, as well as $35 for 3GB or $80 for 8GB.
http://www.phonecan.com/blog1.php/what-verizon-s-new ... »
Mobile hotspot on an Android device is $20 for 2GB.
Mobile hotspot on a Palm device is free for 2GB.
MiFi has a $50 plan for 5GB, as well as $35 for 3GB or $80 for 8GB.
http://www.phonecan.com/blog1.php/what-verizon-s-new ... »
Mobile hotspot on an Android device is $20 for 2GB.
Mobile hotspot on a Palm device is free for 2GB.
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