No... In fact you can enable WiFi on your phone (tethered via Bluetooth or a cable). Verizon permits this, but here's the catch:
1. It still costs the full $60/month as if you had purchased an USB or MiFi poprtable hotspot (with 1 exception)* 2. You cannot talk on the phone at the same time. 3. You cannot loan the device to a colleague for a business strp - or to your spose for the day, unless you want to give up your phone. 4. Likewise, you cannot leave the device at home to act as internet router for the kids -- unless you want to give up your phone)
Since the MiFi and other Broadband modems are free under contract, it makes more sense to keep it separate from the phone.
* In April/May 2010, Verizon is allowing FREE use of the Palm Pre and Palm Pixie as a mobile hotspot -- same function as the Novatel MiFi, but without the $60 monthly subscription). I don't yet know if they require the $40 handset data plan). This could be the beginning of serious price competition.
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why not just enable mifi on all of our phones???
@wtgig
Because another device is another contract. Duh.
No... In fact you can enable WiFi on your phone (tethered via Bluetooth or a cable). Verizon permits this, but here's the catch:
1. It still costs the full $60/month as if you had purchased an USB or MiFi poprtable hotspot (with 1 exception)*
2. You cannot talk on the phone at the same time.
3. You cannot loan the device to a colleague for a business strp - or to your spose for the day, unless you want to give up your phone.
4. Likewise, you cannot leave the device at home to act as internet router for the kids -- unless you want to give up your phone)
Since the MiFi and other Broadband modems are free under contract, it makes more sense to keep it separate from the phone.
* In April/May 2010, Verizon is allowing FREE use of the Palm Pre and Palm Pixie as a mobile hotspot -- same function as the Novatel MiFi, but without the $60 monthly subscription). I don't yet know if they require the $40 handset data plan). This could be the beginning of serious price competition.