Verizon Wireless launched a new USB modem that will give customers global access to mobile data by offering support for CDMA networks in North America and GSM networks abroad.
[1]The modem, called the USB1000 Global Modem, is made by Novatel Wireless and will cost $150 with a new two-year service agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate. The modem joins a few other devices from Verizon that are global, including Research In Motion's Blackberry Storm and the Samsung Saga.
The modem has support for EV-Do Rev. A (800/1900 MHz), WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA bands (850/1900/2100 MHz) and GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). The data plans, however, do not come cheap.
The minimum global plan costs start at $130 per month, offering 100 MB allowance in 31 destinations (with $0.005/KB overage charges). That price also gives customers in the U.S. and Canada a 5 GB allowance (with $0.05/MB overage). And, for $220 per month, customers can get a 200 MB allowance in those 31 select destinations and a 5GB allowance in the U.S. and Canada, with the same rates for overage as the $130 monthly access plan.
Verizon is also offering a global access pay-per-use plan with the USB modem, but said customers must sign up for its 5GB mobile broadband service plan in the U.S. for $60 per month if they choose to take that option. The carrier said the pay-per-use rates are $0.002/KB in Canada, $0.005/KB in Mexico and $0.02/KB in more than 175 other destinations.
For more:
- see this release [1]
- see this Information Week article [2]
Related Articles:
Verizon Wireless jumps into netbook game, adjusts data plans [3]
Verizon Wireless offers relief on data caps [4]
How long can mobile operators institute data usage caps [5]?
AT&T, RadioShack [6]face class action suit over netbook data plan
RadioShack announces $99 netbook tied to AT&T data contract [7]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercewireless.com/press-releases/globetrotting-summer-international-services-verizon-wireless-keep-customers-connect-0
[2] http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2009/06/would_you_pay_7.html;jsessionid=T05ZGSUMGL5FMQSNDLPSKHSCJUNN2JVN
[3] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-jumps-netbook-game-lowers-data-caps-and-overage-fees/2009-05-13
[4] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-offers-relief-data-caps/2009-05-12
[5] http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/unlimited/2009-03-02
[6] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/t-radioshack-face-class-action-suit-over-netbook-data-plan/2009-03-01?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FBW0
[7] http://www.fiercebroadbandwireless.com/story/subsidy/2008-12-14?utm_medium=rss&utm_source=rss&cmp-id=OTC-RSS-FBW0