Wireless Internet (Verizon) Help

[trancejeremy]

After years of only being able to get internet on dial-up (or Sat.), I finally now have a new option - Wireless from Verizon (who finally reached broadband speeds in my area, apparently).

However, I have no idea how it would work on a home PC. It seems geared more towards laptops and either plug in via a laptop PCMwhatzit or USB slot. And their website isn't very helpful, all the modems are called "phones".

Anyway, is it possible to hook up the wireless modem to a router, and then hook it up to multiple computers (and my Xbox 360)?

 

[Rackhir]

After years of only being able to get internet on dial-up (or Sat.), I finally now have a new option - Wireless from Verizon (who finally reached broadband speeds in my area, apparently).

However, I have no idea how it would work on a home PC. It seems geared more towards laptops and either plug in via a laptop PCMwhatzit or USB slot. And their website isn't very helpful, all the modems are called "phones".

Anyway, is it possible to hook up the wireless modem to a router, and then hook it up to multiple computers (and my Xbox 360)?

Could you link to the exact service/devices you are looking at?

If I've found the right thing, you can use it with a desktop, you'd need to get either the USB modem or something to add a PCMCIA or express card slot to your desk top. I'd just go with the USB modem. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like you could share the service directly through a router. Since the devices don't have an ethernet port to connect to a router and I'm pretty sure you need a computer to use them.

The reason why the devices are all referred to as "Phones" is because unless I'm missing something, you're actually using the data portion of the cell phone network (I think it's the so called 3G or third generation data network). So some sort of "cell phone" contract is going to be required. Looks like the data only plan will run you around $60 a month, which isn't awful for broadband (especially through a cell phone network).

Windows Machines (I assume you have windows) can do something called Internet connection sharing. So you could "share out" the connection, but I'm not sure how you would work that with an xbox. If you can get your hands on a cheap computer or have an older one sitting around, you could set that up as a "router" and have all your stuff talk to it. Since routers are really just dedicated computers. That would mostly just be a question of tracking down some software for it, I'm not familiar with that kind of stuff on the windows end of things.

 

[trancejeremy]

All I know is that I got a flyer in the mail from Verizon Wireless saying broadband wireless was now available in my area for Home PCs and Laptops for $60 a month (which isn't cheap, but I pay $20 for dialup, plus I could drop my phone line since I have a cell phone and so I would actually save money). No details, other than the website, VerizonWireless, which isn't terribly helpful.

Yeah, it's part of their cellular network. Used to be aimed at business travelers, but I guess they are trying to expand to home users (or at least that's what the flyer said, the website doesn't)

I was hoping someone here might know more, or have it themselves, but apparently not. Thanks for looking at the site, though.

 

[Graybeard]

Is this service part of a bundle package? I use Verizon DSL service now. It came with a wireless router\modem combo unit. I have my desktop wired to it and use the laptop wireless. I don't pay anywhere near that amount for my broadband service which is 3Meg\sec speed. I only pay $30 per month. I saw on their website verizononline.com a few different package deals which include phone, internet, tv, etc. for a special price. You can use a wireless modem with a desktop if you use a wireless USB adapter or a wireless PCI adapter card. I might be able to give you more specific information if I knew which service you were interested in signing up for.

 

[trancejeremy]

No, it's basically just like a cell phone, but instead of a phone, it's a modem. They don't offer DSL or Cable where I live, so I've been out of luck when it comes to broadband. (Other than Satellite, which costs $60 a month plus has expensive equipment and kinds sucks for most things).

You see commercials on the TV for it - the guy with a laptop walking through a swamp? (I think that's Sprint, actually, and despite their commercials, a lot of the country isn't covered, at least not at broadband speeds).

 

[Graybeard]

Okay, now I understand what you are talking about. Essentially it is an air card that plugs into the laptop. It allows you to connect to the internet like using a cell phone. I'm not sure exactly how to use it with a desktop but my tech guy at work would know. I will ask him tomorrow and let you know. Unless someone else on this board beats me to it.

 

[trancejeremy]

I was hoping I could use it just like a regular broadband connection, stick it in a router. But I can't seem to find any routers that accept a USB (or PCMIA) connection, just ethernet. Except possibly one for sprint. The only option seems to be what Rackhir mentioned - use Windows Internet Connection sharing, which is less than ideal.

 

[jdrakeh]

Okay, now I understand what you are talking about. Essentially it is an air card that plugs into the laptop. It allows you to connect to the internet like using a cell phone. I'm not sure exactly how to use it with a desktop but my tech guy at work would know. I will ask him tomorrow and let you know. Unless someone else on this board beats me to it.

It's a VZA Broadband card (PCMCIA) -- you'll need to buy a PCMCIA adapter to use it with a desktop and, no, the card won't function like a router (not does a router exist that you can plug them into). You must have one card for each unit that you wish to access the Verizon network. These are currently being circulated in the USPS environment (where I work as a Tier I support technician). They do offer a good, stable, connection to whatever device they are installed in and have few software issues.

 

[IanArgent]

OK - I have one of these through my employer.

It is essentially a cell phone without the voice capability, only data. For a desktop machine, get a USB device - you won't get support from VZW for a desktop connecting through an adapter to a PCMCIA or express card.

Take a good look at http://support.vzw.com/terms/products/broadbandaccess_nationalaccess.html - particularly "If usage exceeds 5 GB per line during any billing period, we reserve the right to reduce throughput speeds of any application that would otherwise exceed such speed to a maximum of approximately 200 Kbps. These speeds are subject to change, in our reasonable discretion, in order to address network issues."

However, they appear to have recently revised their T&Cs (probably in light of the recent suit by the NY State AG) and loosened them up considerably.

 

[IanArgent]

I believe you can get through third-parties a router that will take USB in and provide ethernet out, but I can't find any roight now