feedback on Verizon VZ wireless access

[eshort]

My cellphone subscription expired last week--so I marched my little feet into the local Verizon store and found:

(a) I was entitled to a $100 rebate on a new wireless access cellphone---I chose the LG VX series together with "internet" access coverage. This works suprisingly well!--I can access various news.email weather, music and entetainment services from any location with cellphone service-- added a "realtime" weather site ($3.99 additional per month-but well worth it to me, an addicted weather nut..)...now-- "realtime" weather satellite/radar/observatory services accessible anywhere cellservice is found.
and...

(b) purchased Verizon wirelesss access service plus PCMCIA card for my DELL C600 notebook--giving broadband speed internet access-from any cell service available location. This works OK-only bug= service hangs about 3-4X/hour for 5 seconds to 2-3 minutes....seems like system is overloaded???..despite being in very strong signalled location. The software installed easily with connection obtained immediately (Boston, Mass area). Wonder if they will improve the intermittent "loss of service" glitch?

no need to be inr "hotspot" for either service!

Im now tempted to ditch my landline and (2) dial up ISPs (this is my first broadband experience!).

If so- will get a PCMCI adapter for my (old) Gateway PIII desktop and switch pcmcia card into same so desktop (vs notebook) can be utilized from home base.

Has anyone had expereince with either of these Verizon serevices/programs?

Id be interested in commnets/feedback/experiential stories!

thanx!

[glc]

Using a desktop PCMCIA adapter with those EV-DO cards can be hit or miss - I think I'd leave the card in the laptop and use ICS and a crossover cable to get the desktop on the Internet.

[eshort]

tx

what is a crossover cable and ICS?

This is my first foray into wireless computing so forgive my ignorance

[glc]

A crossover type network cable (or 2 standard patch cables and an Ethernet switch) - and Internet Connection Sharing. Standard Windows networking stuff.

[Stuey]

If you get the Vcast package ($15), web access airtime is unlimited. If you use only the mobile web package ($5), it deducts from your minutes.

I used it for a bit and loved it too. If you don't want to use the email services accessable from the "email" link, you can access gmail almost as easily through the web.

I found that a lot of websites are NOT wireless-phone friendly, but for news, weather, and brief stock/sports updates, it's worthwhile.

If you use the web a lot, it might be worth it getting the vcast package and then you'll also have access to video clips of news weather, etc, if you're in an EVDO area.

ALSO, you might be able to get a free one month trial to VZ Navigator. It also takes away from airtime unless you have Vcast so be careful. I found it to be incredibly useful and purchased two one-day access usages since my trial expired since I got lost going grovery shopping in NJ.

[eshort]

yes--i purchased the full 9$15) package for the cellphone--i find it very useful and fast.

for my notebook- i purchased the braodband wireless access using the Verizon PCMCIA wireless modem card--this works well except there r occasional drops even in a very strong signal area (ie pauses in the service)..overall quite good and a big improvement over my dialo up isp!

so--now i can access internet weather-news frm cellphone and entire web from notebook: both at broadband speed..and from anywhere cell service is available--no need to be in a "ho spot"...for either.

[Dephin -PC-]

How much was the service for your laptop?? I think I read somewhere that it was $70 a month...

[glc]

I believe that if you have existing Verizon cell service, the unlimited data package for the wireless card is $60 a month. You should also get a substantial rebate on the card purchase with a contract. If you get a laptop with the EV-DO built in, I don't know what the terms are.

[eshort]

i purchased the complete package--$79/mnth for unlimited internet wireless access w/verizon's wireless pcmcia modemcard.

i purchased a ricoh based pcmcia to pci adapter for my gateway desktop---it installs (ie card shows as installed on device mngr etc) but when modem installed into card i get error message to effect firmware on motherboard will not accept the modemcard....

i dont know fix--did goggle search: other hv expeienced same prob under same conditions with no succesful workaround(s)......

maybe ill just stick with using wireles service in my notebook---modem/verizon software installled effortlessly there!

i get about 300-600 k bits/sec speds via verizon wireless sped est located at: http:infospeedtest.verizon.net.

tx

[glc]

Ed, I warned you about those PCMCIA desktop adapters and EV-DO cards.

http://www.amtron.com/reader/pci_reader.htm

http://www.evdoforums.com/thread67.html

Have you set up ICS yet?

[eshort]

yeah i know

i only paid $10 for the adapter which is new--maybe can find another use for it

was worth a $10 gamble!

will check the links

wonder if that card wld work in a new desktop with different firmware (ie root hubs etc)..

found an adapter made by Elan of England which-they claim-wld work-but it's $225!--not worth it--ill just use the wireless in the notebooks and be stuck with dialup in the desktops...reason= i use 2 different locations (mass and Fla) which wld rq me to have 2 separate desktop DSL accounts..... wld rather pay the one fee and have the portability of the notebook for me broadband.

interstingly- in my local Compusa storfe, i tired 5 display notebooks using their instore wirless network---used the Verizon speedtest----much variation there: 6--1300 mbits/sec thruput ..i guess that speed/variation is normal...here in my apartment-with Verizon wireless over the air i get 400-700 kbits/sec using same test. I also tried downloading AVG free virus program setup files as a test (realizing that the results were dependent on boith the braodband AND server speeds)--------the i n store downbload speeds (file transfer) were about 80-100 kbits/sec= virtually same as when done from home using Verizon wireless setup.

interesting stuff to play with

ps--compusa saleperson said "big sale next week".....

[glc]

Ed, do you understand what I am saying? Use ICS to share the connection from the laptop to a desktop. All it requires is a crossover Ethernet cable and Ethernet adapters in the 2 machines.

[eshort]

yes-pretty much i do understand--im still ancient re- technology above isp-dial up stuff..this is my first venture into broadband/networking..... ill have to read up (alot!!)..

will play around with that idea and see what happens!

PS:i received 40 windows xp updates just today!!! (12/9/06)--all security fixes"!!! wow!!!!!!
(prob cause i installed xo only 1 week ago---home version)