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 jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Economics of using Slingshot versus Verizon or Sprint Based on what I've heard from people in this area, I considered Millenicom, Verizon, Sprint and Slingshot, and perhaps a few others. Cricket didn't seem to reach one or two of the geographic spots I needed.
I think that a 1 or 2 year contract with Verizon or Sprint would in effect cost me something like $720 per year. Slingshot might cost me about the same, plus more to buy the modem, except that it does not require a contract and I think there will be months when I do not use slingshot, and pay them nothing and do not have any financial obligations hanging over me, the way I would with a 1 or 2 year contract. So, Slingshot is likely to save me quite a bit of money, I think.
I can do the math in this way since Slingshot will not be my primary internet access method (that is my 3 mb Qwest DSL. I'm sure others will have differing views, and others will sometimes use their wireless broadband as their primary internet access method. This could change their calculations. | |
|  | | | Re: Economics of using Slingshot versus Verizon or Sprint Just ordered a Slingshot prepaid modem over the weekend.
I am switching to a new laptop in 3-6 months(defecting to Mac plus my 7 year old PC laptop is at the end of it's useful life) and need a flexible broadband wireless option that is not as limited as wifi. The nearest celltower is actually a stealth antenna on a nearby farmer's silo, wifi is at least a 10 minute drive plus long distance from street and wired high speed would be an expensive installation. If I'm traveling, wireless broadband will do a lot more for me when I'm in non-hotspot areas. Basically waiting for the Snow Leopard mac operating system that is still being worked on.
The things I like about this is
1) 5 Gb heavy use option if I need it (had unlimited data pass on AT&T prepaid, but they've taken the unlimited prepaid option away; still OK for handheld browsing on my AT&T Tilt, but not for tethering...for heavy useage I really need a USB modem with a dataplan like Slingshot is offering). From the review that was posted on DSL Reports, not sure if they still offer more limited Slingshot plans like their website, but this is still a big savings over the postpaid Sprint or Verizon offers that will tack on additional taxes, regulatory service fees, etc. Plus I can always walk away after the 2 month trial if it doesn't work out for me rather than get locked into a 2 year postpaid contract with triple digit early termination fees.
2) Works on PC/Mac/Linux. I can install this on my PC and activate it, and then move it to a Mac when I buy it in a few months (although the install on a Mac doesn't look like plug and play)
3) Off-network roaming capability on prepaid but at higher rates (5 Gb becomes 300 Mb).
4) Can use Sprint/Verizon EVDO for most areas so I have coverage where I need it. Wifi doesn't do me any good in rural areas or if the local hotspot while traveling has a high daily pricetag. I'm not sure whether Sprint or Verizon is primary though, the website shows Sprint maps, but some people have indicated recently on some websites that their Millenicom modems were switched from Sprint to Verizon (don't know if that effects the prepaid Slingshot offer or they are still using Sprint as primary service).
When UPS delivers it, I'll report on how well it works for me... | |
| | | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: Economics of using Slingshot versus Verizon or Sprint said by GadgetKen 
[... :4) Can use Sprint/Verizon EVDO for most areas so I have coverage where I need it. Wifi doesn't do me any good in rural areas or if the local hotspot while traveling has a high daily pricetag. I'm not sure whether Sprint or Verizon is primary though, the website shows Sprint maps, but some people have indicated recently on some websites that their Millenicom modems were switched from Sprint to Verizon (don't know if that effects the prepaid Slingshot offer or they are still using Sprint as primary service). When UPS delivers it, I'll report on how well it works for me... Hi:
I think there is some confusion here as to Millenicom versus Slingshot. One of the two or three things that Millenicom offers is that they resell (my word) Slingshot. I think that basically if you get a non-slingshot Millenicom deal, then that puts you into the Verizon camp. If you get a Slingshot modem, whether through Millenicom or through Slingshot, then you are using only Sprint towers and not Verizon towers, as far as I know.
I will look forward to hearing what you have to say. Your situation and use is different from mine. You appear to be ordering this for a much more concerted primary internet use, whereas I use DSL here at my home-office and Slingshot (now) or WI-FI while traveling.
I have to like the security aspect that if I am in an iffy unsecured wi-fi environment then maybe using slingshot instead of wifi provides me with a somewhat better security situation?
On your wait for UPS, I do think I clicked an option to pay somewhat more for a somewhat faster delivery. This seemed borderline wasteful to me, but I did not want to risk the slow version of UPS. | |
| | | | | | Re: Economics of using Slingshot versus Verizon or Sprint I got the slingshot modem by UPS Ground yesteday (decided to save a few bucks on shipping since I wasn't in a rush). Installation last night wasn't exactly plug and play for my particular laptop, but I figured it out after about an hour of trial and error. Plugging it in installed the drivers, but the installation hung up on the software, so I tried manually clicking on the slingshot folder (didn't work), and then installing the CD (that DID work). Couldn't get it to authenticate so I figured it was either because it was too late to call for activation or because I am in a rural area with Verizon and AT&T as best carriers in my part of town (Sprint works near my house, but not at my house...).
So I brought the modem and my laptop to the office this morning, left an early morning voicemail on the slingshot activation line, and when I tried connecting the modem again, I hit the activation button and I got an internet connection. I then tried a Microsoft software update which downloaded at an impressive speed (particularly for someone used to dial-up at home), and then updated the software. A later call to slingshot confirmed my modem was activated fine, it works both on Sprint AND Verizon (more on this later), doesn't roam in Canada (no big deal, I'll just use wifi or an internet cafe on my rare visits there), that the modem would be transferable to a macbook I intend to purchase (stuff I need will be on the CD) and I was told where I could find the data counter (device properties has a lifetime data counter). I also noticed there is a lot of information on the modem on the Novatel website.
Apparently Slingshot has agreements with both Sprint and Verizon. I am currently using Verizon at my home on slingshot to write this post. On the modem menu near the signal strength meter is a roaming indicator with a red "x" through it to indicate I am not using Sprint. Also I got a message when I logged in that said new PRL's (preferred roaming list) would be installed when I disconnected. I think Sprint is likely the preferred carrier for the modem, but it will choose Verizon if Sprint is not available (my office today had coverage for both Sprint and Verizon towers, but the modem chose Sprint). This dual network capability would give the modem a very wide coverage area in the US, and the Verizon capability is very important to me for home use.
Don't think I'll hit the 5 gb limit limit each month, but I am running into more tasks (for work or for fun) where I need the higher speeds of broadband. Think slingshot is the best solution for me to get portable broadband coverage at a competitive price without a contractual committment. So far thumbs up.
Agree on better security for slingshot than wifi (wep is weak encryption, and wpa is not perfect either); particularly when doing monetary transactions or work related tasks on the PC. Better safe than sorry...
I am currently slowly shifting my many website accounts to a web based Gmail account, and will likely drop my dial-up ISP (or just keep for their limited free ad-supported version) after a few months.
AT&T is also going to offer a 100 MB prepaid data package instead of their former prepaid unlimited data package (really was 5 gb cap like slingshot and most other providers). This would provide a good wireless backup to Slingshot by tethering to my AT&T Tilt, although my primary use of data on that device is really for lightweight data access without tethering. | |
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| | | Like the quick broadband start-up time for launching my browser and opening a website rather than waiting an eternity for a dial-up service home page to load up(that sort of reminds me of the Smothers Brothers slow talker comedy routine). Other than a few challenges setting up the modem, and a modem software glitch that they fixed a few days later with a patch (occassional annoying popup error message that didn't make sense), the modem has been relatively easy to use. I just taped the short USB cable to the back of my laptop screen to give the modem a little height for the antenna (the included clip is too fat for my thin subnotebook screen). Did also pick up a 4 gb micro-sd card at Radio Shack to use the slingshot modem also as a USB key memory drive.
I wonder whether Slingshot will sign up any major retailers to sell their wireless kits. I know Pilot Centers (national chain of big highway truck stops) are selling them, but haven't seen a major electronics retailer like Radio Shack, Best Buy or a department store chain (Target, Walmart) carry them yet....perhaps it is tougher to ink agreements with some of these stores because they already have wireless agreements set up or the stores get better commissions on selling postpaid data service. Or maybe they are waiting to see how Slingshot does in the marketplace since they just started wireless broadband a few moths ago.
Given the current state of the economy I'm glad I didn't sign up for a postpaid contract. While I could easily qualify for one, I didn't want to get locked into a contract. Think the break-even for prepaid vs. postpaid will be relatively quick because no activation fees, 2 months initial service included in prepaid package (effectively cutting cost of modem in about half) plus no taxes, regulatory fees or nuisance fees that typically inflate mobile phone bill charges. | |
| | | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: Economics of using Slingshot versus Verizon or Sprint said by GadgetKen:[...] I wonder whether Slingshot will sign up any major retailers to sell their wireless kits. I know Pilot Centers (national chain of big highway truck stops) are selling them, but haven't seen a major electronics retailer like Radio Shack, Best Buy or a department store chain (Target, Walmart) carry them yet....perhaps it is tougher to ink agreements with some of these stores because they already have wireless agreements set up or the stores get better commissions on selling postpaid data service. Or maybe they are waiting to see how Slingshot does in the marketplace since they just started wireless broadband a few moths ago. Given the current state of the economy I'm glad I didn't sign up for a postpaid contract. While I could easily qualify for one, I didn't want to get locked into a contract. Think the break-even for prepaid vs. postpaid will be relatively quick because no activation fees, 2 months initial service included in prepaid package (effectively cutting cost of modem in about half) plus no taxes, regulatory fees or nuisance fees that typically inflate mobile phone bill charges. I think I first ran across and used Slingshot five years ago from a disk I got at a Pilot, a few miles away from my house. I was in a situation where my internet was out and I needed to pick up a quick-and-dirty dialup acccess, but without committing to some ridiculous monthly agreement. Slingshot was a fine solution in that situation and I did not regret it. Once I got my high speed in place I didn't go back to it, except once or twice on the road (where it was fine, for what it was). I probably bought a few more hours here or there, and then that was the end of it. A decent experience.
I am finding it interesting and a bit exciting to be part of Slingshot's early efforts in broadband wireless. It was an effort to get DSL Reports to carry a review area and discussion area. I don't know why DSL Reports makes it difficult. Anyway, we can see that Slingshot personnel are seemingly not focused on lobbying for internet discussion of their service (at least not on this board?0 if some shlep customer like me had to be the one to go through the little first effort.
On Economics, so far I do not regret avoiding signing up with Verizon or Sprint because that would be something like a 2 year contract and a lot of money.
However, things are in transition with those big carriers and it is possible (I think) to buy a modem up-front and go on a month-to-month agreement with Verizon or Sprint, but with paying some moderate penalty for restarting service once it is stopped.
So, the lines begin to blur between what Slingshot offers and what Verizon or Sprint offers (if you press them and ask about going on a month-to-month agreement of some sort).
I do have a regret about not going with Millenicom, or giving it a bit more consideration, because the up-front purchase price for the modem seems lower ($99?). A counter-point is that I think Millenicom, on that deal, also has a restart fee, of some sort, though modest. Slingshot does not... it is prepaid, period.
You menion the 5 gig consideration. I think I would be much more worried about that if I were really depending on Slingshot as my main service. For example, on my DSL, I presently stream internet radio much of the day and occasionally stream a movie to my TV. I could increase or decrease these heavy uses (according to what my connectivity provider allowed, but if my wireless was my main connection, I would be unhappy, in the end, if I had to significantly change my internet use because of 5 Gig concerns.
Also, a concern is that I might recommend Slingshot to others but then those other people might have real problems with the service. So, I think the best thing is not so much to recommend but rather for me to report accurately my experiences, bad and good, and make plain certain things like the fact that my use will differ very significantly from someone who uses Slingshot as their main internet access method.
Anyway, so far so good, with a couple of problems, but nothing major, yet. I remain somewhat wary of their smaller size, as a company. | |
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| | | On 5gb cap, I am using an aging Fujitsu subnotebook (estimated replacement with a MacBook will be beginning of July when Snow Leopard OS is released) that has limited multimedia capabilities and a slower CPU and less memory by today's standards. Need the high speeds to download program updates in minutes instead of hours, stop graphics intensive web pages from choking when loading, to upload pictures to photo websites for professional printing or sharing (haven't done this until now due to bandwith restrictions on dial-up), tying in to an office VPN that needs higher bandwidth to work properly due to high security measures, doing light video clip viewing (eg. out of market TV stations or national news or financial web sites), occasional web radio or audio downloads. Not doing movie downloads (usually DVD's from library, local video store, or Redbox with a promo code) or continuous audio or video streaming so I don't have an issue with a 5 gb cap for my current intended useage. This also makes it possible for me to use Slingshot as a replacement for dial-up at home and as portable broadband with a wider coverage area than wifi and more capabilities than a wifi device (eg Sony Mylo) or data phone (my AT&T Tilt).
Agree on cautiously recommending Slingshot at the current time. My concern with suggesting Slingshot is not everybody is tech savvy enough to set up the modem (I would set it up on someone's laptop for them if they told me they were going to buy it), and the ocassional service glitch (but you get that with any ISP).
On month to month Verizon or Sprint, I thought of that, but would have had an activation fee, probably would have had to do this at a company store rather than an affiliate (nothing near by), and it would have been postpaid without the contract which usually means paying most of the current month plus the next month for the first bill and the usual state and federal taxes, regulatory surcharges ,etc. that would instead be included in Slingshots flat payment.
Another interesting plus with Slingshot is I haven't had RF interference on other devices like I have with other carriers (tethered AT&T Tilt created a racket on TV's, phones, radios, you name it). | |
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jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | brief outage and difficulty with error message This will be an abbreviated comment since I posted a lengthy one yesterday and found that somehow it did not get posted. It seems to have been lost.
I had a negative experience where I tried to hook up a couple of nights ago (I was on the road showing someone that we could hook up from their home). It went fine until the software updated and restarted. I was then unable to hook up for about 15 minutes. Finally I was able to hook up and things functioned fine again, except for a nagging error message upon each connection.
Calls yesterday to Slingshot were met by a busy signal, both in the morning and once in the afternoon. So, clearly they are a small company and this is a drawback. I only hope that others didn't have more than a brief inconvenience. If their phone was busy all day, I fear that others might have had worse difficulties than I did. I will update my review to reflect this somewhat negative experience once I have time, and once I can verify that my posts to dslreports are not being lost. | |
| | | | Re: brief outage and difficulty with error message The software update apparently added some new features including an easier to check data counter (although I doubt I'll even come close to 5 Gb...that's a real lot of data). Didn't get the hook-up problem but did get the annoying error message for a few days until they issued a patch that got rid of that...apparently there was a minor bug in their software update. The "what's new" menu option brings up details on the original software update and the bug fix a few days later.
On DSL Reports posted messages dissapearing, that might be due to a time-out from taking a while to compose the message...I usually get around this problem on various message boards by highlighting the text and using the copy command to save my post to the buffer before I actually attempt to post it. Can always paste in the message if something goes awry. | |
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| | slingshot customer service i live in southern illinois_in an area that has only dial-up
i somehow stumbled upon slingshot and naturally i got excited cause dial-up sucks and i would don't mind the up front cost since you get 2 months unlimited with the deal.
i grabbed the phone and called slingshot customer service
and got a solid busy signal for 2 hours but i did finally get thru only to have the guy check my zip code and tell me i was just outside the coverage area_bummer. anyway i went to their website and put in my physical address and to my surprise their i was right in the middle of the grand orange area so i said hummmm??? i called back and calling for hours i got a female and had her recheck and sure enough
i am in the covered area yipeeeeeee. i am gonna pick up a slingshot in the morning since there is a pilot truckstop near me that sells slingshot.i will report tomorrow any problems i have setting this up. glad to see a forum on slingshot. | |
| | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: slingshot customer service It sounds like the customer service you got was just terrible, in terms of being able to get through.
I am surprised just one guy tried to check just with a zip code. After all, this is about a cell phone tower, no? So, it would be a detailed issue, down to the exact street and neighborhood, I think.
I think Slingshot uses sprint towers, so if you know anyone who uses sprint cell phones, if they can have a decent conversation at your house, that might be an indicator that slingshot might be ok. If not, then that might be an indicator that you should look into Verizon or one of the millenicom deals that use Verizon towers instead of Sprint. I don't know anything about T-Mobile or ATT, as to whether you might be able to use them.
So, let us know how it goes, but I hope you don't get burned. It sounds like, from a customer service standpoint, you are not off to a good start. If I had to rely on wireless for my main internet service, I don't know if I would go with slingshot.
This brings up a question: if I exceeded 5 gig during a month, I wonder if I could just pay another $60 to continue using that month or not?
jl | |
| | | | great news!
i went to pilot this morning and bought a slingshot.
when i opened the box_it had no cd so i just plugged
in the usb modem and everything installed perfectly_i'm running xp_pro. i called a number on the box '1-866-506-9600
guess what no busy signal_gave the guy the numbers on the back of the box and he said it would take 1 - 4 hours.
there a box that pops up that says activate. after 1 hour
i hit the activate and boom it went thru and i am on line thru slingshot right now and it is pretty fast compared to dialup. it has a meter like a cell phone and i have 3 out of 5 bars right now but sometime i get all bars. so far i love it but we'll see if i get any drops. so far so good. | |
| | | | got my slingshot this morning
just stuck the usb stick in the desktop
everything installed very smoothly
a activation screen came up so i hit it
it said activation unsuccessful
i call slingshoy @ 1-866-506-9600
and was surprised there was no busy signal and i got an answer so he asked me for the numbers on the back of the box
and said to try the activation box again in 1 to 4 hrs.
well after half an hour i hit the activation box on my desktop and it went right thru. i am on slingshot right now and its great compared to the 28.8 i was getting on dialup.
the phone lines are terrible out here. i have 2 bars right now but i have seen it go to all bars. right now my speed is 115.2kbps. been on and off all day and no drops at all
even with just 2 bars. i am happy with this slingshot deal.
oh there is'nt a cd in the box at all, i'm running xp_pro | |
| | | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: slingshot customer service said by duffybno1:[...] right now my speed is 115.2kbps. been on and off all day and no drops at all even with just 2 bars. i am happy with this slingshot deal. oh there is'nt a cd in the box at all, i'm running xp_pro Hi:
Are things still going well?
Strange that you received no CD. It sounds like it worked anyway.
Any improvement in your speeds? I am at 3 bars or sometimes higher, and typically get faster than you mentioned (though I'm not sure if the bars affect things directly?).
For example, here is a test from from a few minutes ago:
Approx. 1 meg is the fastest I've seen on the download side. The approx. 100k upload is slow, from what I've seen previously. | |
| | | | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: slingshot customer service Maybe my upload was slower because I forgot to fold out the small thingie at the top of the modem? When I put it to the open position, my upload speeds seemed to get faster, though it's hard to say for sure there was a correlation. | |
| | | | | | | Re: slingshot customer service On Slingshot customer service, they seem friendly and knowledgeable if you can get through. But it may be better to self-serve for something like coverage maps (Sprint PCS maps for data on their website or use Verizon or AllTel for roaming maps).
On upload/download speeds, I have similar results on slower uploads than downloads, and latency is usually quite long(sometimes 1000-1500 ms); may be partially a function of an older slower laptop. Speeds are generally very high at my office near Sprint towers and T3 lines, but not as high at home in a rural area generally roaming on Verizon(but it still blows away dial-up when I have a solid signal). Maybe we should start another thread where we can compare results? | |
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| |  Slingshot (Novatel) modem deactivates randomly
I have the Novatel Ovation U727 wireless USB modem from Slingshot for use on my Toshiba Satellite X205-S7483 laptop (Windows Vista Home Premium x86, SP1). The modem is plugged into one of the two primary USB ports on the left and typically receives anywhere from 20 to 80% signal strength.
The problem is, at just about any time when I'm online, the green LED will suddenly turn off and then I'll hear the "device has been unplugged" sound, as though I had removed it from the port. which I have not.
I have gone into Device Manager and unchecked the option to allow Windows to deactivate USB devices to save power. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the Connection Manager software and have removed the modem from Device Manager and allowed Windows to redetect it.
The "unplugs" can be as frequently as every five minutes or two or so days can go by between.
I've called Slingshot's tech support. They said they'd "find a solution" and call back; they never did. This was last Wednesday.
So... anyone out there have this problem with their Slingshot modem? Is this a widespread problem, or did I just happen to get a defective modem? Does Slingshot allow returns/exchanges? Their site has absolutely no helpful info.
Thanks... | |
| | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: Slingshot (Novatel) modem deactivates randomly I don't know the answer to your question. I haven't seen this happen on my computer. I don't have the sound turned on which might help me notice I guess if something goes awry very infrequently.
I have XP Media Center on this particular HP laptop.
I haven't been using slingshot much lately, so there are probably better people to ask.
jl | |
| | | | Some thoughts on possible causes and solutions.
If it's an OS issue, suggest doing a windows update to make sure you have the latest software and driver updates. Also try the software update feature on the Slingshot menu; maybe the new Slingshot software package that was supposed to auto-download a month or so ago did not do so. Also, on the Novatel website, they also have software, driver downloads and manuals (although I'd be careful because some are probably written for Sprint postpaid service rather than prepaid resellers); maybe try alternate software packs or drivers if nothing else works or peruse the manuals to see if there's a solution? You could also contact Novatel directly to see if there are any known compatibility issues with your machine and solutions they found.
If it's a signal strength issue (the 20% signal you mentioned may cause a connection to drop), generally what will happen is I will get a red light for lost signal, and then a green light and a new browser window will open once the signal is reacquired. Possible solutions are reposition laptop for stronger signal (different window, higher location in building or vehicle, moving it a few inches, etc.), using a USB extension cord to get the modem really close to a window, adding a wired or wireless signal booster and antenna (Zboost, Wilson, Cyfer, etc.) or just the antenna can help.
Another thing I will see is if I am in a multiple CDMA carrier area, Slingshot will go for Sprint first and hang on for dear life until there's only a scrap of a signal. Not a problem at my office for my laptop where I'm right near powerful Sprint towers, but back home Slingshot will generally login to a very weak Sprint signal, then switch to Verizon(there's also Pocket but I doubt Slingshot has an agreement with them). Unlike a cellphone, switching data networks generally causes a brief signal loss while the modem reauthenticates on another carrier; might have to redo a page load that stopped when this occurs. There should be an icon of a celltower with a red x on it if you are in a roaming situation. Maybe there is a bug where a situation like this is actually causing the modem to reboot. If it's a hardware problem with your modem suggest either doing a warrantee exchange or repair (dealer you got it from, Novatel or Slingshot), or an independent repair shop if they will do warrantee repairs (some credit cards also double manufacturers warrantees up to an additional year). | |
| | | | | Re: Slingshot (Novatel) modem deactivates randomly Thanks for the reply. I believe I found the solution to the problem. The problem was being caused by Novatel's Phoenix MFC app (PHOENIX.EXE), which allows the Slingshot Connection Manager software to communicate with the modem.
Phoenix crashed one day and after that, the modem had no more shutdowns, though I still got a disconnection, but those will happen.
What I do now, is run the Slingshot Connection Manager to establish a connection, then immediately kill PHOENIX.EXE in Windows Task Manager. After that, I just close the Slingshot software, which can no longer communicate with the modem.
It's a weird solution, but I guess whatever works... | |
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| | Is Slingshot Communications out of business? We just purchased out Slingshot 2 months ago and love it. We are RVers and have been using as we move from state to state.
We need to recharge our account but can't get through to anyone. When we were finally able to get through to them, we left messages for them to call but no response. Does any one know their status? Thanks............ | |
| | | | Re: Is Slingshot Communications out of business? Almost positive they are still in business because I am responding via Slingshot roaming on Verizon at speeds way faster than dialup...when a reseller fails, generally the service provider pulls the plug or they move the customers to a new reseller.
Think you are having more of a customer service issue. When I set up service initially, I only got a reply by calling 3 or 4 times during business hours until I got a live person to ask a few questions. For refills, there is a web refill system that may be quicker. If you want a live person to handle your refill instead suggest keep calling rather than depending on a voicemail callback. I still have 8 days left on my 2 month initial balance, so I will probably refill via web once I hit empty. | |
| | | jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Re: Is Slingshot Communications out of business? I didn't use mine for a week or two after it expired, then needed to refill one day and so I did via the web (never considered calling anyone) and it worked fine. | |
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jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ
3 edits | More reviews? Hi everybody:
Perhaps there are others who would like to post reviews of this internet provider? I posted mine to get the ball rolling some time ago:
»User reviews - Slingshot Communications
As of this writing, it is the only review there.
I think there is room for more reviews, as more people use the service and form a view.
Also, I don't use the service more than once-in-awhile because it's my backup and travel solution (my main solution is DSL here at my home-office). Therefore I don't have an up-to-date day-to-day feel for the service that some others might.
Comments to this "forums" part of DSL Reports I think do sometimes amount to reviews or semi-reviews, but I think when they are posted to the "Reviews" area others of us can efficiently know we are reading a person's sort of summary comment on the service. | |
| jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | update Since they are not my primary service (I have Qwest DSL) I have needed to use the service maybe only twice in the last 30 days. The first time, my previous month had run out so I was given something like 10 minutes to recharge via credit card. I did this and it worked out fine. Then a few days later I needed the service briefly to go outside my network and check out a problem against my DSL connection.
Of course $60 is a lot of money for a couple of uses, but I may use it again during the month, and this pay-for-a-month here-and-there sure beats being on a monthly contract and having that in the back of my mind that I am obligated to a year at $720, or two years at $1440 for something whose use I find impossible to predict.
So, anyway, I have no major revision to make in my initial reviews and comments. Slingshot has so far been ok for me and I do not regret getting it. I look forward to seeing a few other reviews here on this site over the next few years so we can get a better sense of the pros and cons. Since they apparently sell at truck stops (I got mine from the website this time around, but I gather that others have got theirs from truck stops?) maybe we'll see more commentary from those who might have bought there.
I almost wish I could say something negative because I fear that someone will come here and say "I tried it and they were horrible in thus-and-such way and you shouldn't have said good things about them" but all I can say is they have been ok for me, so far. | |
| | | Replacement modem? OK, as those who have read my first thread can see, I've had intermittent problems with my Slingshot modem.
Yesterday, while I was online, I was disconnected from the Net. When I tried to dial back in with the software, it would not work. It would simply say "connecting", then "device is ready". It has been this way ever since.
I uninstalled the software and then rebooted. However, the installation software did not run from the modem's built-in flash drive as it was supposed to, so I was unable to reinstall the software and had to do a system restore to get the software back.
This leaves me where I was before, with a modem that will attempt to connect and be unable to do so.
Does anyone here know if Slingshot would send me a replacement modem, or if I would have to purchase another one?
Thank you. | |
| | | | Re: Replacement modem? Sorry to bump, but I just went to »www.slingshot.com to complain and their site is down! Perhaps that's why I can't connect? | |
| | | | | | | Re: Replacement modem? GMTA! I posted in that thread too! It does seem like they are out of business, which sucks because it was nice while it worked.
I guess my only hope now is that Virgin Mobile will start offering prepaid mobile broadband or that Cricket will come to my area.
I don't suppose there's any chance Slingshot will at least refer us to another wireless broadband provider?
Thanks for replying. | |
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| | | Identical problem to those posted above. I agree Slingshot is likely toast or about to be(if someone finds out definitely please post here and also on Howard Forums). Only 1 week is left on my data-pass and have Juno dialup, wifi and AT&T Medianet as backup so it's not a big loss. Too bad, it worked great for a few months. Hope another company offers something similar in the future, but with better tech support and customer service. | |
| | | | | Re: Replacement modem? And what really sucks is I had just put $59 in for the next month. No way to get that back, is there? | |
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See 8 replies to this post |
| | | Hey OmegaWolf747,
I called millenicom's customer service and talked to a guy that indicated that we could probably use the Slingshot novatel modem with their service, so long as they ESN had "cleared" with Sprint (otherwise it wouldn't allow them to utilize the device). He recommended calling Sprint to confirm it. He did say that their coverage is "nationwide" but wouldn't divulge which networks they use. They had coverage for the Maryland/Northern Virginia area I predominately need though. Interestingly, I remembered visiting Millenicom when I was researching Slingshot previously, and he said they were one of slingshot's resellers, but have no other connection to them, so that's good. The value of trying to use your old Slingshot modem with Millenicom is not going to be more than $50, however, as you can buy their modem for $100, and they would charge you a $45 activation fee if you BYOB. | |
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See 22 replies to this post |
| | Can't purchase modems from Slingshot site! When I bought the defective modem I have now in February, I was able to purchase it directly from Slingshot's site. Now when I go to Buy Now, it says I have to purchase it from one of their "partners". When I click on Partners, nothing is listed.
What kind of racket are these people running?! | |
| jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Outage Couldn't use the service this weekend. When I called this morning the phone is busy. When I emailed this weekend, I got no response.
Good thing i was able to use my DSL and also tether my Verizon wireless phone. We'll see what these guys have to say for themselves when they do fix whatever is going on. I'm thinking if the phone is busy then I am not the only person who was left without service that I had (pre)paid for, and without any tech support.
It's a bit amazing to me that they want to believe that providing reliable internet connectivity can be a 5-day-per-week 8-8 job. | |
| jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ
1 edit | Economics vs. Verizon Tethered I noticed that I could tether my verizon wireless phone to my laptop and get service. I don't have to take out a contract (apparently). Apparently I can just start or stop this service as needed for what works out to be $2 per day.
The speeds are seemingly a bit slower than Slingshot, for my connection, but not that bad.
Since so much of the economic comparison boils down to factors like the contract (or lack thereof) and the hardware investment, I think the economics have shifted for me and starting and stopping data service on a tethered Verizon phone might be the way to go. This would make my slingshot modem a bit of a stranded asset, but I think I'm ok with that. At least I didn't get locked in to a 2-year-contract with a Verzion data card at $720 per year for a service that I don't use that often.
This particular PDA type phone cost me $181 on a comparatively short contract (I opted to pay a bit more to avoid a 2 year contract with a wireless company to which I am new) so this sort of tethered solution isn't for everyone. However, if you are coming to this fresh, then it's possible that the costs would be lower for someone seeking occasional pay-as-you-go wireless internet use. The key for me is i don't have to do a 2 year contract with a Verizon card. I can cancel or start the service at any time, no charge. I only pay per day, I think (still need to verify a bit I think). | |
| jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Service No Longer Being Provided (Lawsuit vs Sprint) According to a message I heard on a recording when I called the company today, they apologize but service has been turned off. They are apparently in a lawsuit in the State Supreme Court in Maricopa County or something, with Sprint and Sprint has decided to turn off service to Slingshot customers.
This is nasty, as it is the total stranding of a $150-$250 modem and the total loss of internet service for those who were dependent on the service. It sounds like really bad blood between slingshot and sprint. Slingshot has handled this issue badly by not communicating better with their paying customers.
I have two numbers for them. I heard the message only on the 866 number. The 480 number allowed me to leave a tech support request, which was a bit of a further waste of my time. It should be programmed in some way also to tell people what's going on but to allow calls through to certain departments I guess?
Tel: +1 480.367.9000
1.866.506.9600 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) Monday to Friday.
I wonder if in some way slingshot customers can be spoken-for/represented in this lawsuit.
I once heard a story about Sprint screwing over a nascent truck-stop wi-fi business run by the people who now run Wi-Vod. It seems like one possibility is that Sprint really doesn't like sticking to their agreements or maybe they don't like truckers or who-knows. | |
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See 6 replies to this post | |
jlsoaz
join:2005-06-17
Rio Rico, AZ | Can Slingshot release our ESNs? Will they? Would this help? I spoke with Millenicom today and asked if somehow I could use my modem with their service. They gave me the same answer that I think they gave someone else in one of these discussions... go to Sprint first to have the modem "released" or something, and then they would be ok with the service.
This sounded like a losing proposition to me, but I tried calling Sprint. Also, I am not a sprint cellular customer, so it took me a fair amount of additional explaining. I did get to something called "Advanced Tech Support" but they said they could not do this. They suggested it was Slingshot who needed to do this.
Slingshot is not even answering their phones or emails, so it seems unlikely that we could get them to release our ESNs (if they have the power to do this, and we don't know for certain if this would be a step in allowing us to use the modems with Millenicom).
Still, it seems to me that I would share my conversation with others to see what they have tried. If it is possible to get Slingshot to release an ESN (in light of their inability to provide the service for which I have already paid), and *if* this would help get me to Millenicom without having to buy or lease a new modem, then I would like to look into it, and maybe others would too. | |
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