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Thursday February 2, 2006
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Hallelujah. Verizon today told me that they're now going to let people use their phones as modems on Verizon's high-speed EV-DO network. 
The new phone-as-modem plan, available today, will cost $59.99/month for existing voice subscribers, for unlimited use (the same as Verizon's PC Card plans). It'll work with the Motorola RAZR V3c (shown at right), Motorola E815, LG VX8100, LG VX9800 and Blackberry 7130e, but not, as far as I know, with the Palm Treo 700w or Verizon XV6700. Up until now, if you wanted to "tether" any Verizon Wireless EV-DO phone other than the Blackberry 7130e and the old Audiovox XV6600 to your PC, you'd have been violating your service contract. Sprint has $25/month 40MB and $59.99/month unlimited phone-as-modem plans for all their EV-DO devices. The way Verizon described it to me, they want you to use USB rather than Bluetooth to tether, but I think that's a minor concern (and USB connections are faster, anyway.) This is a great step forward for Verizon and for anyone who doesn't want to have to carry around an extra PC Card to enjoy broadband speeds on the road. Read a little more in my story on PCMag.com.
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February 2, 2006 5:28 PM
It's all smoke and mirrors!!!
February 3, 2006 5:06 AM
I asked Verizon late last year about phone as modem when I purchased one of their Kyocera "Wireless Broadband" cards for my laptop. I told them I'd prefer to upgrade phones and not get a card, but was told they had no plans for have such a service for at least "several years." The more fool me for believing them. While Verizon was still testing their hi-speed network in San Diego, I repeatedly called to ask them when it would become more widely available and was always told "a few months" . . .it took years. Now, when they say years, it takes months; I'd say that was an improvement if it weren't obvious that they are saying whatever they need to in order to make a sale at the moment. Between this and lousy DSL at home, they've lost this customer.
February 3, 2006 1:32 PM
The foot dragging is ridiculous. I've been holding off on that "next big phone/pda purchase" in anticipation that Verizon would finally wise up and allow use of phones as modem (tethered or Bluetooth-what's the difference anyway!?) on the best high-speed network out there(?). Thus far, my attitude has been 'what good is the best high-speed network, if you can't use it to its fullest potential?' Now they've taken this step, but hy not just open it up for all phones/devices and get it over with!? Sprint's already there, right? The price is comparable and my patience is waning, so...
February 3, 2006 2:27 PM
Verizon gouges their customers because they have such high ratings for cell call availability but not T-Mobile and others are jstu as good. Time to quit this turkey.
February 3, 2006 2:30 PM
Why not just got to Sprint/Nextel? forget the "foot dragging" and go to a provider that offers it.
February 6, 2006 10:26 AM
Verizon still provides the best coverage in my area. If I lived somewhere that had adequate coverage from another carrier, I'd consider switching.
February 6, 2006 10:39 AM
I love to hear my Audiovox XV6600 is old. Thank you Verizon, we were planning to change providers as soon as our contract expired. Now we may have to reconsider.
February 11, 2006 3:52 PM
I have owned a Verizon xv6600 for over a year now, and have never been able to figure out how to use it as a modem for my laptop. Any easy, step-by-step help would sure be appreciated!
February 15, 2006 5:58 PM
I purchased the 700w on 01/26/06 with the Max Choice Voice & Data plan which includes 4000 minutes & unlimited data. I have been using my phone as a modem for my laptop from day one. I do use a third party software (PdaNet, by junefabrics.com) which makes connection alot easier and connect my phone to my PC w/ a USB cable. It uses my current plan no additional charges from Verizonwireless.