Millenicom Wireless: a review and test

Last time I checked my usb adapter it wasn't a modem.

 

So is it random or can you choose which towers you use? I use verizon for my cell, would love to use those towers as well.

 

Mobile modems and routers

See also: Mobile broadband and Connect card

T-Mobile Universal Mobile Telecommunications System PC Card modem



Huawei CDMA2000 Evolution-Data Optimized USB wireless modem


Modems which use a mobile telephone system (GPRS, UMTS, HSPA, EVDO, WiMax, etc.), are known as wireless modems (sometimes also called cellular modems). Wireless modems can be embedded inside a laptop or appliance or external to it. External wireless modems are connect cards, usb modems for mobile broadband and cellular routers. A connect card is a PC card or ExpressCard which slides into a PCMCIA/PC card/ExpressCard slot on a computer. The best known brand of wireless modem datacards is the AirCard made by Sierra Wireless.[citation needed] (Many people just refer to all makes and models as AirCards, when in fact this is a trademarked brand name.)[citation needed] USB wireless modems use a USB port on the laptop instead of a PC card or ExpressCard slot.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modem#Mobile_modems_and_routers

 

sweet, learn something new everyday.

though my statement was correct in my instance. lol

I have a usb wireless n adapter that I use since my laptop only has a g card.

 

Millenicom leases or sells wireless modems that are assigned to a primary carrier, be it Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Clear, etc. Usually a little USB plug-in that looks like a memory stick but is really a tiny cellular data transceiver that plug directly into the USB port of your computer. They also sell mi-fi devices that are a little battery powered cellular data box that converts the signal to be used by various wi-fi devices (amongst other wireless data gadgets in Millenicom's store).

This is the carrier that the modem will connect to if there is a workable signal from a nearby cellular tower. Best to get a modem assigned to the carrier that you like the most and has a data service plan that best serves your needs.

In the event that it cannot connect to a nearby tower, the modem will attempt to connect with another carriers tower that is technically compatible with the modem you have, and has a roaming agreement with your primary carrier (in the case of a Verizon modem, a Preferred Roaming List determines the pecking order of what carriers the modem will connect to with Verizon being at the top).

If it's a domestic carrier (e.g. Sprint roaming on Verizon) than there is probably no extra charges. If it's an international carrier (e.g. you are very near or across the Canadian or Mexican border) than you will be charged international roaming charges.

 

So you just tell them which one you want then? Thanks

 

They normally will assign a carrier based on your address and plan chosen (no unlimited plan currently offered on Millenicom/Verizon; think only on Sprint or T-Mobile). If you want Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile or Clear say so in the comments box on the order form.

If getting Millenicom Verizon, the buy-the-modem Advance 20 gb plan is a better deal at $60/month rather than the lease-the-modem 5 gb plan. In any case, use metering software to make sure you stay under the limit of whatever plan you sign up for.

 

Pretty tempted to go with this with either the verizon or sprint as carriers. I do have verizon as a cell carrier and it sometimes changes over to international near the Mexico border and I imagine sprint would do the same.

 

I got a notebook (smaller version of a laptop) at the local verizon store that uses verizon internet. It's about $59 a month for 5Gb or $79 a month for 10Gb. I thought about upgrading but this little notebook doesn't have a CD/DVD. I have another laptop that is all decked out and I ended up getting the notebook before I ever knew about millenicom wireless. So now I'm thinking of getting M W for the big laptop so I can download and burn songs, watch movies and tv etc and have the notebook as a backup as well.

 

Advantage of the notebook is they probably sold it below cost to get you as a customer plus it's more portable than a regular laptop. Since it likely has an early termination fee with the Verizon contract, you may want to wait until the contract term is up before changing anything on the notebook.

You could use the Millenicom/Verizon modem (make sure you specify if you specifically want that carrier, Millenicom represents multiple carriers) initially for the big laptop and then use it for both the laptop and notebook once the direct Verizon contract is up. The Verizon/Millenicom offer is now $59.95 flat rate (no other fees) per month on a recurring credit card bill without any long-term contract, and has a 20 gb data allotment. Their Sprint or T-Mobile offers have bigger data allotments but the coverage areas for them aren't as good for me as Verizon.

Also a sidenote on the competing prepaid Virgin Mobile/Sprint Broadband2go modem offer. According to the VM website and multiple forums, they now cap their $40/month "unlimited" service at 5 gb/month. After that limit is reached, they throttle speeds to only .25 mbps (from .6 to 1.4 mbps) until the month is up or someone renews their monthly fee early.