Verizon launching $80 5GB prepaid data plan next month, FiveSpot too?
By Chris Ziegler 
posted July 21st 2010 3:55PM
posted July 21st 2010 3:55PM
On a related note, we're now hearing that the FiveSpot mobile hotspot we told you about is lined up for a late August launch as well, though we don't have an exact day, and it'll be officially replacing the MiFi -- makes sense. If you already have a MiFi and you don't do much international travel, it doesn't seem like there's a compelling reason to upgrade, but globetrotters are definitely going to want to check this out.
[Thanks, RBF]
Stop conforming Verizon!!
@NuklearPanda
verizon doesnt give two shits about the general public.
Like most companies, when the money begins to run dry, only then will they open their ears.
Sadly that wont happen
And physical media just got a stay of execution.
@NuklearPanda
This is only PREPAID.... I have 5 gb for 59.99 under contract...read the article. This won't effect people with contract pricing.
@NuklearPanda
The Big Red is the Big Evil! The only ones that can stop them are people like you. Go with another carrier or Verizon's grasp on people will grow stronger and stronger.
@iclkennyg
(everyone in USA): That nationwide "Lightsquared" LTE network can't come fast enough!
@benthe1
The Big Red eye is watching you! Controlling your every move.
@NuklearPanda
I would like to point out that we pay 15euro in Ireland for 10gb on bill and 20euro for 10gb for prepaid on pretty much every 3g network for any device.
@cobjones "read the article"
What article? This was a rumor from someone that tipped Engadget.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget
The engadget article/blog... small part to pick on... again, this is ONLY for PREPAID... it doesn't effect the contract pricing, which is 59.99 which is the same for every carrier right now.
Verizon cost me $5 more a month than Sprint did. Two phones (better phones) with unlimited data, unlimited messages, 700/750 minutes and a Data card. Maybe it cost more for other people, but not me.
@cobjones : affect (sorry)
@looselycoupled You couldn't be any more right about Lightsquared. Unless someone competes with the four US carriers it will mean the end of data as we know it.... Unless you like paying huge overages for going over your caps for their pretend reasons why they need to limit data usage even though it is getting cheaper for them to maintain and expand while revenue and subscriptions are up.
And trust me after reading Ars and Slashdot it seems that there are a lot of morons that think data caps are needed, that the poor ISPs just can't handle the demand and that they are a good thing too.
@One Love
You are correct affect* and I wrote it twice... but my point it correct anyway.
@NuklearPanda
Why don't they just sale data literally? Ok, $80 for 5gb, then 80 more for the next 5, but only once I use up this 5?
@iclkennyg You got it. $80 for 5 gigs. Seriously?? Are we going backwards in time? This is starting to remind me of the 80s where you paid $3 a minute to call Europe.
I love how none of the alarmist Sprint/AT&T fanboys who are being drama queens over this realize this is for their PREPAID plans, not their contract pricing.
Yet they're comparing this to Sprint/AT&T's contract pricing.
a bit much, no?
@kmistr01
That's more than 5GB cost in Canada.... damn, pretty crazy.
@Plazmic Flame
Are you serious? We pay way more than our cousins down south. I'd trade my phone plan for one of theirs before you could say ah!
@kmistr01 Yes. For a couple years $60 was the standard for that kind of data. Virgin is there now for 5 GB with no contract! Sprint is 5GB-Unlimited with 4G Overdrive.
What gives, Verizon?
@kmistr01
Agreed, seems a bit expensive.
In Canada, I have unlimited data on my Berry for $25/month, and for $35/month I have 5GB on the iPad. What's going on with US data pricing lately? I was jealous for years but I guess that's going to change.
Oh well, at least in the US you're not limited to 60GB-100GB of internet bandwidth at home.
@hastings Not in NB - Fibre with NO CAPS, but iphone with 5GB is
not available from Virgin or Bell, 3 GB is $100, telus $85, Rogers is $60 5GB data plan.
@kmistr01
$80.00 for 5Gb!!? This is exactly why I left Verizon, too expense, and they just don't care. That price right there should show you that they're out to take your money, all of it. Ridiculous.
@hastings
I think the 35/mnth on iPad is simply for few months before they take it away like when they had that 5GB/$25/mnth for iPhone last summer and took it away in September. So I wouldn't be surprise to see your bill adjusted accordinlgy in few months.And as for BB, I'm not sure how that goes because I haven't seen any REAL unlimited ones except it's tied to your data plan. So you might want to read it carefully because if you go over your monthly bandwith allowance, they'll charge you regardless of unlimited or not. Rogers, Telus, Bell they all have their data plans capped.
Heck Rogers goes on to sell people "unlimited social neworking" ahem. My data plans covers everything I do so why would I want to have a plan that has unlimited social networking and nothing else except their unlmtd txt, my fav 5, or whateever the other one and you can only take one of those. They try to make it look like a feature but really it isn't. So I don't think it's smart when you are trying to sell someone something that they can do through their data plans. Thieves!
We think we have a choice but we don't. They all play the same game but pretend to be unique and true to customers. Sad. So don't go agape on Verizon because soon all other carriers will adjust their prices according to usage.
And yes I do envy their unlimited monthly bandwith for home internet but they also have to be careful with downloads!
@hero785
Yeah, I know a lot of carriers claim true unlimited but there are always limits. I've been a Telus customer for 8 years, and previously had a $15/month unlimited data plan on any Windows Mobile device. I switched to a BlackBerry two years ago and was forced to pay $10 more, bumping my unlimited plan to $25. Last month I tethered 10GB without incident, I actually average about 5GB/month, mostly through tethering. (Thanks TetherBerry!)
As for the Rogers $35/5GB plan, there is no contract so they could change it whenever they like. Truthfully, I don't usually use more than 2-3GB a month on my iPad.
@EagleyeSmith
NEWSFLASH
None of these companies "care" about you. You're just a means to an end. Either deal with it or move onto another company that you feel doesn't rape you quite as hard.
But either way complaining about it amounts to a hillabeans....
@hastings
I wish I could tether my iPhone whenever I'm away, say visiting family but it's too much money. You only get so much for so much. Like $60/5Gb is way too much. if you tell me $60/10GB I'd think about it. But then most people don't really think it through and just take whatever they think is good when it's offered. If we don't stand up and demand better service and better plans then we are doomed for eternity. The prices we pay do not reflect the goods we receive, this whole system is hugely biased in favour of the companies. So sick of it, but what can one man do ( Don't give me Ghandi and all other leaders crap, this is internet lol)
@Plazmic Flame
Ya, I think I pay $30 for 6 GB from Robbers
@kmistr01 "a bit much, no?"
Yes, might as well sign a contract with Sprint unlimited data plan.
@TheZaccharaSyndicate Why do you have such stupid user-names Sprinkles?
@hastings How the hell are you getting unlimited data for $25? I'm getting 500 MB on Rogers for that.
@hastings
in finland, we have true unlimited. even on prepaid.
and when I say unlimited, I mean unlimited. I mean you can torrent the whole month on it.
around ten bucks for 1mbit/s capped 3g per month, and I mean the speed is capped to 1mbit/s.
for 80 bucks you can get a 3g stick and 2 months of 4mbit/s hsdpa. you guys in usa are getting SCREWED.
Wow they didn't even use Vaseline this time.
@zepfloyd Verizon offers lube, but charges so much that no one can afford it.
@zepfloyd: Verizon knows you like it rough.
@zepfloyd
Verizon is the type of man that screws you behind and doesn't have the decent common courtesy to give you a reach-around!
What a rip off. their logo must be a check mark for "Properly overcharging customers to increase overall revenue" CHECK!!
lolololol
Where does one acquire these drugs?
@JP23
corner of MLK and Broadway
@Psyclotr0n funny how that works, no matter what city you're in. haha
@Psyclotr0n Bazinga!
Raise your hand if you think this is a MAJOR rip off. That's 25% more costly than AT&T.
@bdkennedy1
AT&T 2 GB cap is $25 + $10 per gig after.
For 6 GB, that would be $65.
AT&T cheaper?
No way!
This is contract though.
@SCXFAN
Your math is shitty. You're including overage fees to prove AT&T's plan is more expensive? No, here's how it actually works:
$25 for 2GB = $12.5 per GB
$80 for 5GB = $16 per GB
Which one is more expensive again? And yes I know this plan is a contract plan, I'm just pointing out the flaws in your reasoning.
@Jack I think their "AT&T cheaper, no way!" was sarcasm. Of course they're cheaper here.
Why is Sprint in 3rd place again??!!
@thaprinze
I HAVE NO IDEA!!
I'm rocking Sprint, and I freakin' love it!!
@thaprinze
Idk. EVO+unlimited data(with mobile to mobile@69.99)+adequate coverage in most places +free 4g tethering/hotspot(with a little root magic)=major win.
$80 for 5GB? Stop the m@dness!