Verizon Wireless Express Network

mtnbkr · Feb 11, 2002

*****Disclaimer, I work for a separate division of Verizon******

I just got Verizon Wireless's new Express Network service. This is a data/internet service based on their new "3G" network (actually the first phase of 3G). This phase offers 40k-60k that bursts up to 144kbs. The 2nd phase will run 384kbs - 2meg. So far, it works well. It feels like a snappy dialup connection. It's expensive at $30 + Verizon Wireless service plan (for minutes). Therefore, the minimum cost is going to be about $65 a month. There's more info on verizon's website: http://www.verizonwireless.com/express_network/index.html

Regarding hardware, you either need the Sierra AirCard 555 or Kyocera's 2235 phone. I'm using the phone, but my coworker just got the plan with the card.

Worth a look if you NEED mobile data....

BTW, this is not an ad. There's a wall of sorts between my division and the telco side of Verizon (I'm part of what used to be GTE/BBN). I don't even get a discount. Just thought you guys might be interested.

Chris

mtnbkr · Feb 14, 2002

Nobody is interested in wireless highspeed Internet access? Geez, I thought it was a novelty considering everyone else is running at 14.4k or 19.2k now that Ricochet is gone.

Chris

Tightwad · Feb 14, 2002

Mate, I would have to wonder how many folk's even NEED a cell phone
in reality let alone a data phone. I suppose in time the marketing guru's will
convince us we need this new toy ,but it hasn't happened just yet. Heck,
I'm still wondering if I really NEED a cell phone beacuse they cost so
darn much. I don't like to talk to anybody that $$$$ much.............

mtnbkr · Feb 14, 2002

Originally posted by Tightwad
Mate, I would have to wonder how many folk's even NEED a cell phone
in reality let alone a data phone. I suppose in time the marketing guru's will
convince us we need this new toy ,but it hasn't happened just yet. Heck,
I'm still wondering if I really NEED a cell phone beacuse they cost so
darn much. I don't like to talk to anybody that $$$$ much.............

First, I didn't realize this forum was about "needs". There's lots of talk about expensive flashlights, PDAs, etc. Wasn't there a thread on cellphones recently?

Second, this is for the people that are on call or feel they need to have mobile connectivity. Ever been on a train and wish you could get to that webpage you like to read, etc? That's what it's good for.

Anyway, it's not something I wouldn't have myself if I had to pay for it, but I get to test it to determine it's fitness for the people I work with (yes, we have engineers on this project that require that type of connectivity). Thought I'd share it with you guys.

Chris

Joe Talmadge · Feb 14, 2002

I couldn't live without my Verizon wireless data service, which is more or less free with my Verizon cellular service (it just counts against my minutes). At 14.4, it can get annoying for long text sites, and I turn pictures off completely. But $35/month is still too much to pay for a casual user; once it gets down to $10-$15/month, I'd definitely think about it.

Exactly what areas of the country are covered by the new faster service?

Joe

mtnbkr · Feb 14, 2002

Originally posted by Joe Talmadge
I couldn't live without my Verizon wireless data service, which is more or less free with my Verizon cellular service (it just counts against my minutes). At 14.4, it can get annoying for long text sites, and I turn pictures off completely. But $35/month is still too much to pay for a casual user; once it gets down to $10-$15/month, I'd definitely think about it.

Exactly what areas of the country are covered by the new faster service?

Joe

Right now, it covers the east coast from Norfolk, Va to Maine (looks like lower portion of Maine), Roanoke, Va, Salt Lake City, Utah, and a portion of California around San Diego.

While they haven't come out and said it, I see this being available anywhere Verizon Wireless is currently available in the future since it's part of the "3G" cellular network. AFAIK, Verizon is going to upgrade the entire network to 3G.

BTW Joe, this is not a data service for your phone, but a service for your laptop or PDA. You can use your phone as the "modem" or get the new PC Card adaptor. When I posted the first message in this thread, I was using it with my laptop/cellphone to surf from my living room.

Also, they offer a CDPD based service for laptops and PDAs that use either PC Cards or Compact Flash cards (for PDAs). It achieves 19.2k and is a flat rate with no minutes used. It starts at $19.95 IIRC.

Seriously, I'm not trying to sell anything, I just plain dig this stuff. If MCI or Sprint offered it (sprint has a similar service on the way I hear), I'd be talking about how great their product is.

Chris

DancesWithKnives · Feb 14, 2002

Very interesting. Although I'm presently not very computer literate, I'll be doing more travelling in the future and this sounds like it would add a lot of versatility to a laptop.

Joe Talmadge · Feb 15, 2002

Originally posted by mtnbkr

BTW Joe, this is not a data service for your phone, but a service for your laptop or PDA. You can use your phone as the "modem" or get the new PC Card adaptor. When I posted the first message in this thread, I was using it with my laptop/cellphone to surf from my living room.

Chris

Yeah, gotcha, I realized that. I don't use the data service for my phone. I use my phone as a modem, and surf the web wirelessly through my PDA (I use eudoraweb and avantgo wireless). I got a little cable that goes between the phone and PDA.

Surfing the web on the phone just blows, the screen is too small and the user interface sucks. The PDA makes it all useful, it's small enough to carry everywhere but the user interface is reasonable.

Joe

Tightwad · Feb 16, 2002

mtnbkr, I have to base everything on need ,not disrespect intended. No
matter tho ........my comments did get your thread going for you. :>))