Verizon Wireless MiFi Data Plans

Verizon Wireless was the first cellular company to offer data plans for the MiFi. Verizon currently has three plans available for consumers. The first plan is $59.99 per month and offers five GB of data throughput and additional five cents over each per megabyte is charged after the first five GB. This plan is well suited for users who download sizable amounts of multimedia such as video and music. It is also great for users who plan to use the vice at least 15 days out of the month.

The second plan which is a bit less expensive at $39.95 per month and offers 250 MB of data throughput but has a charge of $.10 per megabyte for after the first 250 MB. This plan is a good choice for business users who do not necessarily need a very large is amount of data useage or multimedia downloads, and plan to use the  MiFi for connecting to corporate networks and typical web browsing  activity. Although the $39.95 per month rate may seem like a decent bargain versus the $59.99 rate, this plan can be a disaster if the $.10 surcharge is regularly exceeded each month. You may end up spending way more than $60 even though you have not passed the five GB monthly download limit.

The third option from Verizon is not really a plan, but is a daily usage fee of $15 per day, with no download limits within the 24 hour period. This allows us users to only pay for the device on days they actually use it. On a per-day basis, it can be up to five times more expensive  than the contract data plans however it may be a great choice for business travelers who need occasional usage. This arrangement can also work quite well when the MiFi is needed for special event's, such as trade shows, corporate fairs, and sales meetings. The fact that the $15 per day option exists is a nice alternative for those who simply do not need any free usage monthly data plan. It should also be noted, that with the "daily" option, you can purchase the MiFi without any contracts at all - however, it will cost around $200 more for the device, since Verizon is not kicking in the subsidy.

A look at MiFi plans from Sprint

As you might expect the data plans from Sprint for the MiFi device are both similar and different at the same time. Unlike Verizon, Sprint does not offer a non-contract daily unlimited option for the MiFi. Sprint also does not have a lower data-usage tier plan priced less than $59.99 per month.

The basic plan costs $59.99 per month, and like the Verizon plan it offers up to 5GB of data transfer with 5 cent  overage  fee  per megabyte after the first 5GB. This plan is most appropriate for typical Internet users as well as non-existing Sprint mobile phone customers. The only other MiFi plan from Sprint mobile is the $149.95 per month "Simply Everything plan plus Mobile Broadband" . This  plan includes unlimited cellphone  text and picture plus video messaging along with GPS navigation, e-mail and web browsing (on the cell phone). The data limit is the same as the first plan being a monthly limit of five GB with a five cent over to her megabyte after the first five GB. This plan is best for existing "Simply Everything" (without Mobile broadband) customers, since you will realize about a $10 per month savings for the mobile broadband optional addon. Both Sprint plans require a two-year commitment, however the MiFi device can still be purchased without a contract.

So which MiFi provider is right for you?

Verizon has the advantage of offering the lower tiered $39.95 plan in addition to the $15 per day daily access option, so depending on your particular needs and Verizon may have a better fitting plan for you. The disadvantage with the Verizon MiFi plan selection is not so much in the close comparison of the plans themselves but rather in the consideration how Verizon places some limits and restrictions on the device usage such as disabling GPS support whereas Sprint allows the MiFi’s built-in GPS location-based services to be fully supported. Lastly and perhaps most importantly is to consider the 3G coverage offered in the areas where you would perhaps use the device. There are plenty of resources on the web that will help you determine which geographic areas have the best 3G coverage from both Sprint and Verizon.

Everyone loves the iPhone 3G and newer 3GS, but one of the cheif complaints  you hear from owners is the BIG (some say inflated) monthly bill from AT&T, not to mention the less then stellar 3G coverage from AT&T's already overworked and maxed out 3G network. People who want an iPhone have almost no alternative to going the "official" AT&T/Apple route.  As you know, the iPod touch is the little brother of the iPhone. It's 98% similar, with the obvious absense of a cell phone built in. The iPod touch can act pretty much the same as an iPhone when connected to a WiFi signal, but how can you make sure you ALWAYS have a WiFi signal? Keep a MiFi mobile hotspot within 30 feet of the iPod touch, that how. I have a feeling that AT&T does not want iPod touch owners to know about the MiFi mobile hotspot...

One very cool solution is this:

1) Couple the iPod Touch with an external microphone. The "stock" apple earbuds that come with the iPod have a tiny build-in Mic, which works perfect for the iPod Touch. 

2) Install the Skype app on your iPod touch. You can get a dedicated local area code phone number with unlimited calling for around $10 a month with Skype.

3) Buy a Sprint or Verizon MiFi 2200 Mobile Hotspot and subscribe to the data plan.

How does this work? Charge the MiFi and carry it in your pocket - it will be good for 4 hours, likely more than your iPod iteself. The iPod touch will communicate with the MiFi pocket router via its build it WiFi connection. The MiFi will relay your WiFi internet, voice, and SMS to your provicers 3G network. The Verizon MiFi data plan will allow you to make calls over Skype, for all practical purposes, having a true functional "cell phone". The best benefit comes to the cost savings: MiFi plans will cost around $75 per month ($60 monthly fee + about $15 in taxes and fees), while AT&T's average users  iPhone monthly bill is around $112 when taxes and extra fees are levied. The added "bonus" benefit is even cooler - up to four additional people around you within a 30 foot radius can connect to the web thru your MiFi (If you want them to of course!) and access the fast 3G Network over their own WiFi enabled mobile devices. It's a great choice for families - dad on his "MiFipod", and the kids connecting their PSP's and laptops to the web all though a single MiFi while on a long drive to Grandmas house.

The only real disadvantages are that voice calls have to be make thru an external microphone and that you will need to carry two devices. The MiFi itself is only 2 ounces and is about the size of 15 stacked credit cards - I would imagine that the prospects of saving up to 50% on the cost of you iPhone serivice plan AND getting better 3G service far outweights these issues.

Along with this instant popularity come a few questions. Is this mobile hotspot really that fast? Could this tiny, self-contained device really connect five devices to it all at once? And one of the most asked questions regarding this – just what exactly does that 5GB MiFi cap mean?

For starters, this five gigabyte (5GB) cap is imposed by cellular networks to keep the load within their networks manageable. 5GB doesn’t sound like much (probably because five isn’t a number you’d associate with a lot), but take these into consideration – to reach 5GB, you’d need one of the following: 500,000 e-mails (10KB each), 33,333 webpage visits (150KB each), 1,250 downloaded songs from iTunes (4MB each), 1,000 3-minute YouTube videos (5MB each), 200 hours of 56K audio stream (25MB per hour), 167 5-minute iTunes videos (30MB each), 25 45-minute TV show episodes from iTunes (200MB each), 97 hours of video stream or video chat (52MB per hour), 156 hours of World of Warcraft online gaming (32MB per hour), 7.5 hours of Netflix standard streaming (660MB per hour), 3 hours of Netflix high definitions streaming (1.67GB per hour), 3 full-length MPEG4 movie downloads (1.5GB each), or 1 entire DVD disk image (4.5GB each).

That’s an overwhelming storage capacity. Probably more than an average internet user would consume over a couple of months, maybe even three.

When you divide the 5GB capacity into 30 days, that’s roughly 167MB per day. For average users who frequently check their e-mail, surf for a couple of hours, and watch YouTube videos whenever something viral comes up, that’s a lot of MB's to spend. Even more prolific users would need to make an effort to fill that 5GB monthly cap. Verizon and Sprint allow you to check your exact usage for the month with a simple click, so you can monitor how much you’ve spent and how much you’re under the 5GB cap.

What people are fussing about over the 5GB cap is the mere presence of it. Why is there a cap? A lot of people think that the cap is very limiting, that it doesn’t really give room for the user to do much with the internet. As discussed, 5GB is already a lot of content, and considering that wireless broadband connections are usually the secondary method of connection for most (with a stable WiFi server at home, and the mobile hotspot to bring along when on the go), the 5GB is very much adequate for what the laptop or portable device is assigned to do.

So when you hear the 5GB data cap, don’t be alarmed. It’s not something which limits your internet experience. It actually enhances it, ensuring the providers 3G backplane can handle the load of all the connections. The 5GB cap isn’t a hindrance, but a necessity for good service to all MiFi mobile hotspot users.

The MiFi is a mobile hotspot by Novatel which is being retailed by Verizon and Sprint along with their connection plans in the United States. It has a range radius of 30-40 ft. and has a battery life of four hours continuous usage or forty hours standby time and of course it doesn’t have any wires  (except if you want to use the plug in AC Adaptor charger).  It connects to your 3G provider and turns the 3G signal into a regular WiFi signal, all while on the go. The MiFi mobile hotspot is a clear winner outside of the home, so let compare "apples-to-apples" where we can in seeing who might benfit from a single univeral internet connection provided by the MiFi. 

Price: 

The data service plan for the MiFi Mobile hotspot range from $40 to $60 per month. Since you’re dealing with Sprint or Verizon, tack on another $15 in taxes and fees, so you are looking at around $75 per month. The two price tiers are for different data caps - in this case the $40 monthly rate allows for (only) 250 Megabytes of usage per month. Since the MiFi will we used as a primary home connection, I would not recommend this low-cap option. When comparing the $75 monthly fee, it’s important that you count in any possible recoverable fees you may be currently incurring. Assuming you have a "triple play" (voice, data, TV) wired broadband service, subtract the cost of what you are paying for the all-in-one service with the TV only subscription. The MiFi can utilize Skype or several other low cost or free VOIP providers to deliver voice and telephone service to you home. Generally you will find this price differential to be a wash, with the costs negating each other. On first appearance it may seem like the cost is the same, but then factor in any existing mobile data plans you have that the MiFi can replace, and you will see the MiFi as an effective cost savings. The MiFi's build in router may also present some potential saving of having to buy an existing wireless home router. 

Speed: 

 The MiFi will deliver around 5 Mbs download speed, but more realistically in dense urban areas, you may see around half that speed. Cable modems are generally 10 Mbs, while FIOS is around 25 Mbs. The speed winner on face value is clearly wired broadband. The caveat is that not everyone needs 10 mbs download speeds. Remember browsing in the web in the late 1990's with a 56K modem? For regular, everyday "web stuff" 56K is not too shabby - 5Mbs is about 8 times faster then 56K, and should be fast enough for downloading songs and watching videos. The MiFi Mobile Hotspot also has the added benefit of a managed 5 user router build in, so the fact that the fast connection can be shared is a bonus on top. 

 Suitability: 

 If you are a person who lives on the go and takes your connection where they go, the MiFi Mobile Hotspot may be a great alternative. After all, the MiFi device will always be "with you", and the "you", be it at home or on the road, will always be assured a fast connection. The MiFi is likely NOT going to be a realistic replacement for your home broadband if you have a need for the mobile and wired environments to coexist.  The ideal candidate for a MiFi-Only scenario would be a single person who does not need a dedicated wired home connection when they are on the road, but wants a high speed broadband connection wherever they are, be it home or abroad. Plug the MiFi into the wall adaptor and you have for all practical purposes the same setup as a cable modem and WiFi router. The MiFi-Only setup would not be a great choice for a family that needs on-the-go connectivity but has users or other family members at home the same time. The "MiFi as a Primary Home Connection" also would NOT be a feasible choice for those who mass download BitTorrent or Newsgroups, since the 5GB monthly cap would likely be exceeded. 

Conclusion: The MiFi was never intended or marketed as a full time replacement for a wired home broadband connection, however, in my opinion there is a fairly large demographic that I would call the "constantly connected single person" who could greatly benefit from a practical device that can provide both mobile and stationary broadband service for voice and internet at a substantial cost savings over traditional plans.