Does anyone use Verizon as their Internet Serive Provider?

MatticusMania · #1 09-14-2011, 05:07 PM

Im with Verizon for my phone service, and Ive been considering getting a USB modem for my laptop (which I can get for free).

How is Verizon as an Internet Service Provider, and how much does it cost you? I saw something like 5GB for $50 a month. If I mostly used it for browsing websites in the evening would 5gigs be enough?

MJ5150 · #2 09-14-2011, 05:30 PM

I don't.

-Mike

rr5025 · #3 09-14-2011, 05:35 PM

I have been ****ed around with by Verizon for the past month and a half. Nuff said.

Jim Nazium · #4 09-14-2011, 05:43 PM

I have Verizon DSL, and I'm happy with it. I think it's 35 bucks a month.

lowfreq33 · #5 09-14-2011, 05:49 PM

Be prepared to pay some huge fees if you go over that 5GB limit. A band I played with had one of their mobile Internet cards for traveling, went over the limit and the bill was $250.

hbarcat · #6 09-14-2011, 07:15 PM

I just cancelled my Verizon service today even though I had to pay a penalty for early termination. It was a very bad experience and I don't recommend getting the service I paid for.

I had the mobile broadband unit with the 2GB for $30/month plan. It was total crap. Very slow, even when simply browsing. Totally useless for watching a YouTube video or downloading anything larger than 30MB or so. The 5GB for $50/month plan that you are considering uses the same hardware and is the same speed but you just have more data allowance (that's what Verizon told me, anyway).

But the biggest problem I had was the fact that I couldn't get the unit to function through the USB cable, only wireless would work. When the USB cable is plugged in it would go into "charge" mode and would no longer upload/download data. After spending lots of time over several days on tech support I had to take my laptop to the Verizon store where they tested the unit and told me that it worked fine.

Get this. The unit was a newer version of a model that was just discontinued and the new model no longer supported function through the USB cable. The manual was, of course, for the older model and included instructions for using the USB cable. I wasn't sure I believed this explanation (why would an upgraded model actually lose a useful function?) so I talked with several other techs from Verizon and they confirmed this.

Also, because you can't use the unit while it's plugged in, that means it can't be charging while in use. The charge typically lasts about 2 hours, and it takes about 5 hours to recharge. So if you want to browse the interwebz for more than 2 hours at a time, you're out of luck.

Looks like this:

fourstringdrums · #7 09-15-2011, 12:02 AM

I had them at my last apartment. It was bundled with directv for $60 a month. On its own I think it's about $30-$40 and I never had a problem with it. you do have a 1 year contract though with a pro-rated $110 early termination fee.

jonathan_matos5 · #8 09-15-2011, 12:09 AM

I'm browsing via my phone does that count?

fmoore200 · #9 09-15-2011, 06:15 AM

In ny, they have for the last few years been setting up a fiber optic network. They call it 'fios' and I like it. I use it with their triple play so I get phone, internet, and tv, so I'm not sure how much the internet costs by itself.

So I guess this posts isn't really all that helpful, lol...

MatticusMania · #10 09-15-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan_matos5

I'm browsing via my phone does that count?

No. I have the internet on my Verizon phone, but I want internet access on my laptop.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowfreq33

Be prepared to pay some huge fees if you go over that 5GB limit. A band I played with had one of their mobile Internet cards for traveling, went over the limit and the bill was $250.

I dont use much internet. I have up to 5GB on my phone and its my sole internet source at home, last month I didnt even use 1GB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

I have Verizon DSL, and I'm happy with it. I think it's 35 bucks a month.

DSL uses a phone line, correct? We dont have a landline at home, so I dont know if that would be a problem.

MatticusMania · #11 09-15-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hbarcat

I just cancelled my Verizon service today even though I had to pay a penalty for early termination. It was a very bad experience and I don't recommend getting the service I paid for.

I had the mobile broadband unit with the 2GB for $30/month plan. It was total crap. Very slow, even when simply browsing. Totally useless for watching a YouTube video or downloading anything larger than 30MB or so. The 5GB for $50/month plan that you are considering uses the same hardware and is the same speed but you just have more data allowance (that's what Verizon told me, anyway).

But the biggest problem I had was the fact that I couldn't get the unit to function through the USB cable, only wireless would work. When the USB cable is plugged in it would go into "charge" mode and would no longer upload/download data. After spending lots of time over several days on tech support I had to take my laptop to the Verizon store where they tested the unit and told me that it worked fine.

Get this. The unit was a newer version of a model that was just discontinued and the new model no longer supported function through the USB cable. The manual was, of course, for the older model and included instructions for using the USB cable. I wasn't sure I believed this explanation (why would an upgraded model actually lose a useful function?) so I talked with several other techs from Verizon and they confirmed this.

Also, because you can't use the unit while it's plugged in, that means it can't be charging while in use. The charge typically lasts about 2 hours, and it takes about 5 hours to recharge. So if you want to browse the interwebz for more than 2 hours at a time, you're out of luck.

Looks like this:

Is that 3G or 4G service?

Doesnt really seem worth it. Maybe I'll look into a different service.

I believe my laptop is WiFi capable, does anyone here pay for WiFi at home? If so, what does it run you per month?

mpdd · #12 09-15-2011, 10:18 AM

verizon is known for screwing up your service, interrupted service, weird charges, and calling collection agencies on their customers

at&t isn't that great, but at least they don't charge you for stuff you don't have and try to ruin your credit, which happened at both my places in ny and my girlfriend's in la

Keano · #13 09-15-2011, 10:34 AM

I used to have Verizon DSL several years ago (early days of broadband, 768k down/128k up, unlimited for $25/mo, frustrating and slow, but enough to just browse about), and I personally didn't have much problem with them service wise.

I've switched away from them since so I could package my internet with my cable company, but I've heard from others in my area that while Verizon FIOS is good, their service has definitely gone down the sh**ters.

Roscoe East · #14 09-16-2011, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Nazium

I have Verizon DSL, and I'm happy with it. I think it's 35 bucks a month.

This.

...though I guess I wouldn't complain if it was faster.

Mazatleco17 · #15 09-16-2011, 09:53 AM

DSL does use a phone line but it doesn't need the phone service, they won't mention that to you, it's called "dry loop" or "naked dsl" if you go with verizon ask about it, used to have their service about 2 years ago and in I had nothing but trouble dealing with those guys.

MatticusMania · #16 09-16-2011, 10:19 AM

Yeah, so after reading these responses Im probably not going to go with Verizon as my ISP.

New question - who here has the lowest monthly cost internet service? What is it, and how much do you pay? Was there any hardware purchase necessary?

coreyfyfe · #17 09-16-2011, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpdd

verizon is known for screwing up your service, interrupted service, weird charges...

I've only had those kinds of problems with comcast. We have FIOS internet/tv at my apartment. Have had it for about 2 years now, no problems with the service or customer service. The internet modem is free (no rental fees) and has an integrated wireless router. It was $50/month for just internet at 25/10 speed, eventually we upped our plan to tv as well.

MJ5150 · #18 09-16-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

New question - who here has the lowest monthly cost internet service? What is it, and how much do you pay? Was there any hardware purchase necessary?

If you don't mind ads, Juno is still free. No additional hardware necessary, just a dial-up modem in your computer. You get 10 hours a month, no charge.

-Mike

MatticusMania · #19 09-16-2011, 02:47 PM

I dont mind ads, but dial up is a no go, as I dont have a functioning landline at home.

lowfreq33 · #20 09-16-2011, 02:49 PM

I just had comcast hooked up at my place, dunno if you have them where you live, but I got a deal for 12 months, no contract, cable Internet and basic cable for $40 a month. $7 extra a month to rent the modem.