Verizon releases the USB1000 global 3G modem, and a pricing plan to make your wallet cringe in horror
By Sean P. Aune
Verizon has introduced a new 3G USB modem that will let you stay connected to the Internet from pretty much anywhere in the world.
As someone who has travelled internationally, and longed for the easy access he gets at home, a modem that works in multiple countries sounds like a pretty good idea to me. With an eye towards the road warrior market, Verizon is launching its new USB1000 USB modem today that will work both in the United States and 31 other locations.
However, before you get too excited, myself included, lets take a look at the pricing situation with this technological wonder. The device is $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, which, as we all know, no one ever remembers to send in, so it’s really $199.99. Not a very enticing price, but it’s almost forgivable compared to the data plan pricing. This is what the press release states are the prices you can expect on your monthly bill:
GlobalAccess is available either as a monthly plan or a pay-per-use plan. GlobalAccess Monthly Plans start at $129.99 monthly access, offering a 100 MB allowance in 31 select destinations ($0.005/KB after allowance) as well as access in the U.S. and Canada (5 GB allowance in the U.S. and Canada and $0.05/MB overage). Additionally, for $219.99 monthly access, customers can have a 200 MB allowance in 31 select destinations and a 5 GB allowance in the U.S. and Canada with the same rates for overage as the $129.99 monthly access plan.
GlobalAccess Pay Per Use must be purchased with a 5 GB monthly allowance Mobile Broadband service plan in the U.S. for $59.99 monthly access. The Pay Per Use rate is $0.002/KB in Canada, $0.005/KB in Mexico, and $0.02/KB in more than 175 other destinations. Verizon Wireless’ GlobalEmail Plans begin at $20.00 monthly access when added to a Nationwide Email Plan. Corporate e-mail and Web access is available as are data only plans for $64.99 and $69.99 monthly access respectively.
100 MB allowance internationally for $129.99 a month? Yes, you get 5 GB a month in the US, but you could use 100 MB in the blink of an eye. Hey, at least at 200 MB a month you seem to get some sort of “discount” for bulk purchasing as it’s only $219.99. The pay-per-use program is even more frightening.
While global access is a nice concept, apparently this device and its plans are firmly pointed at people with company expense accounts. Considering the current economic environment in the world, this device isn’t going to find very many buyers even amongst that market.
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on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
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