Millenicom Wireless: a review and test

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by CommDriver, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. Nophix

    Nophix Light Load Member

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    Jun 25, 2009
    Stevens Point, WI
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    I only quit using them because I jailbroke my iPhone and tethered it. I have the grandfathered unlimited plan.

    Honestly, I never had ANY issues with Millenicom. It even worked in places where my phone didn't. The customer service was great as well. I just recommended them to a riend who is getting ready to hit the road in an RV and retire.
     
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  3. GadgetKen

    GadgetKen Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2009
    North Granby, CT
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    Have had Millenicom for about a year and a half now. My package is $60/month for 10 Gb on Verizon
    Things I like about Millenicom are:
    1) 10 gb limit on my package is double the data limit of a direct Verizon postpaid contract without having to pay any nickel and dime extra fees (Millenicom is a wireless Internet Service Provider so they don't have to charge the fees and surcharges that I would get going directly with Verizon). Plus no overage fees although if I go over Millenicom could throttle my data speeds or cut service off (never go anywhere near 10 gb so it's a moot point).
    2) No contract, just month to month to my credit card...and they even send an email when my credit card is about to be charged in case I need to change any billing details.
    3) 24/7/365 customer service with a toll-free number right on the modem. Only have had to call once to report a Verizon service outage, but it's nice to know they have real tech support when and if you need it.
    4) They represent multiple carriers (think Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, Clear and possibly others).
    5) Off-network roaming in the US is allowed if needed.

    All in all, think it was a good choice, and would recommend it to others.

    Are there other providers or resellers without a ball and chain postpaid contract? Yes, there's Virgin Mobile/Sprint with a $10/100 mb or $40/unlimited (although they phrase it in the fine print as "unlimited but not unreasonable use") but while Sprint has a great high speed data network, Verizon has better coverage where I need it (Verizon is the only carrier with 3g coverage near my home and where I travel...in BDL now waiting for the first of four flights ending up in OGG).
    Also AT&T and Verizon have rolled out direct prepaid wireless broadband offers but I think Millenicom (of whatever carrier flavor) or Virgin Mobile Sprint offer a better value for the money.
     
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  4. Markvfl

    Markvfl Road Train Member

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    Apopka, FL
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    I've had Millenicom for almost 2 years now. My only beef is that they charged me $200 for a replacement air card when they were offering it for free to new customers. I almost dumped them over that.
     
  5. hup

    hup Medium Load Member

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    Missoula, MT
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    Ran a speed test with mine.. using this test:
    http://www.internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/

    ...getting about 500 kbps down and 1000 kbps up. Kinda backwards to what I'm used to.

    That's with 4 bars showing on the Watcher, and EVDO at -80 dBm.
     
  6. GadgetKen

    GadgetKen Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2009
    North Granby, CT
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    [​IMG] Speedtest on my Millenicom Verizon modem on a MacBook Pro in Hawaii at night (I'm over 5,000 miles away from home right now). Pretty decent. Typical speeds I see for 3g Verizon are ~1000-2000 kbps down and around 500-600 kpbs up depending on where I am.

    Suspect the slower download speeds you are currently getting may be tower loading from too many users and/or heavy bandwidth users doing stuff like interactive online gaming or streaming movie or television downloads. That will happen particularly if the tower doesn't have a real heavy duty internet feed.
     
  7. CommDriver

    CommDriver Road Train Member

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    I'm in Norman, OK and it is slower here than most city areas. It is going to vary no matter where you are, but larger metropolitan areas generally are better for high speeds. But you can still be in a bad area in regards to tower location or number of users online in the same area.

    If you are going to be driving all over the country, Millenicom is as good as Sprint or Verizon. In fact, it is Sprint depending on which modem you are using.

    Norman, OK
    [​IMG]
     
  8. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Jul 15, 2010
    Athens, GA
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    you need a modem? Thought you just needed the usb adapter they have on the webpage?
     
  9. ursus

    ursus Light Load Member

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    Nov 18, 2010
    Indiana
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    What do you think that little usb adapter is?
     
  10. CommDriver

    CommDriver Road Train Member

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    Yes, that is what I mean. The USB modem. Actually, I don't think it is supposed to be called a modem, but maybe a USB data device. It is not an adapter, though there may be some extender or y-cable that comes with it.
     
  11. GadgetKen

    GadgetKen Bobtail Member

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    May 13, 2009
    North Granby, CT
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    Millenicom has just upgraded all Verizon 10 gb/month buy-the-device-in-advance plans to 20 gb/month, effective immediately(according to a post on a different forum that has been confirmed by a Millenicom employee). An email notice will be going to all effected subscribers in a few days.

    Please note this only applies to Millenicom accounts that are:

    1) Verizon (not Sprint, T-Mobile, Clear, etc.)
    2) That are the current 10 gb Advanced Plan where you purchase your device in advance

    Happy Holidays!
     
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