MiFi/ Hotspot Devices

[jpainter01]

Has there been any speculation about PPC adding a MiFi/Hotspot data plan to their offerings?

[Boz]

Not as far as I know.

[TheMountainMan]

Has there been any speculation about PPC adding a MiFi/Hotspot data plan to their offerings?

Doubtful at this point, but there is a company by the name of Millenicom that is offering hotspot service on various networks, some of which operate off of Verizon towers.

http://www.millenicom.com/page/plans

[BGilomen]

Has there been any speculation about PPC adding a MiFi/Hotspot data plan to their offerings?

That would be great, but perhaps unlikely.

But: if tethering is allowed (unclear to me; I've read both "yes" and "no" in here posted by "persons of authority"), PP effectively offers 100MB/mo. for $29.95/mo. in the form of the TnT1200. 1200 minutes and 3000 texts are included! :)

An alternative:

http://www.kittyforums.net/showthread.php/4620-Prepaid-MiFi-coming-to-Walmart-starting-at-10-for-100MB-with-no-expiry

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=TruConnect&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=3944

[Boz]

Based on the above links, I see the following three:

TruConnect Internet on the Go Mobile Hotspot
http://www.walmart.com/ip/TruConnect-Internet-on-the-Go-Mobile-Hotspot/20665535
T-mobile Prepaid 4G Wifi Hotspot
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=16002378&findingMethod=rr
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go MiFi 2200 Prepaid Broadband Device
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14321312&findingMethod=rr

Are any of these devices available elsewhere at a discounted price? Do any besides TruConnect offer no expiration if used 1x/yr? Has anybody here used any of these?

[BGilomen]

I've never used any of them. The TruConnect MiFi is brand-new, Wallmart-specific, and therefore highly unlikely to be discounted at this point in time. The others? Maybe, but again, not so likely for Wallmart-specific offerings.

The "data doesn't expire" concept is a new differentiator for the TruConnect offering. It is, IMHO, a new concept. Hence the write-up that I posted first. Others may follow, but I'm not sure of any at this point...

[Bob859]

Based on the above links, I see the following three:

TruConnect Internet on the Go Mobile Hotspot
http://www.walmart.com/ip/TruConnect-Internet-on-the-Go-Mobile-Hotspot/20665535
T-mobile Prepaid 4G Wifi Hotspot
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=16002378&findingMethod=rr
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go MiFi 2200 Prepaid Broadband Device
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=14321312&findingMethod=rr

Are any of these devices available elsewhere at a discounted price? Do any besides TruConnect offer no expiration if used 1x/yr? Has anybody here used any of these?

The Walmart TruConnect hotspot has gone down in price to $79.88: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Internet-on-the-Go-Mobile-Hotspot/20665535?findingMethod=rr

The amount of data per dollar has also increased: $10 for 500mb, $25 for 1.5gb, and $45 for 4gb.

.

[Barry]

Here's a company offering the first 500 MB each month for free. Buy the device and no monthly charge. You can upgrade to more data for a fee, of course.

http://www.freedompop.com/

[BGilomen]

Here's a company offering the first 500 MB each month for free. Buy the device and no monthly charge. You can upgrade to more data for a fee, of course.

http://www.freedompop.com/I put myself on their lists, initially for the Freedom Sleeve for my iPod Touch, and then just for their MiFi device.

Then I looked at my travel habits. It turned out that the device would not have worked in any of the dozen or so places that I'd traveled to (including New Orleans, Phoenix, major towns West of Chicago, etc.) in the past 24 months. Clear's WiMAX footprint is that limited.

So, I ultimately took my name off the list for the iPod sleeve, got my refund, and elected to not get the MiFi device...

[Boz]

Yeah, their coverage is VERY limited. They don't even have coverage in Detroit!

http://www.freedompop.com/coverage_map.htm

[BGilomen]

Yeah, their coverage is VERY limited. They don't even have coverage in Detroit!

http://www.freedompop.com/coverage_map.htm

That's a fact. The only well-covered place where I spend a lot of time is Chicago, and I don't really need the coverage there because I am invariable in some location that has accessible, free WiFi (my own home; the homes of friends; many city buildings; virtually every sandwich and pizza shop; Orchestra Hall; a bus stop that I use that happens to be across the street from a Starbuck's; etc.)

[Bosgarage57]

I too would suggest Millenicom. Especially if you can get verizon 4g. Their plan for $69.99 3g/4g and 20gb per month cannot be beat!