Duramax08To The Moon Premium Member join:2008-08-03 San Antonio, TX |
hmmmmvery tempting... | |
|
| AlphaOneI see Premium Member join:2004-02-21 |
AlphaOne
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 3:35 pm
Freedom SpotThe Freedom Spot looks delish. Great for iPads, etc., if there's no Wifi available.
The question is ... if service is also widely available. | |
|
| | |
en103
Member
2013-Mar-6 3:58 pm
Re: Freedom Spotquote: The FreedomPop Hub Burst modem and router supports up to ten devices and connects them all to the Clearwire WiMax network
I'd say not widely available. I live 5 miles from Los Angeles city limits, and there's no WiMax here, or even in the north 1/2 of the San Fernando Valley | |
|
| | | |
Re: Freedom Spotwe had wimax from clearwire up here where I live, but then they shuttered the service and shut down the towers, so, no wimax here. Also, i don't think im in their "median" figures, since I use 500+GB per month with only me and my wife. | |
|
|
OverloadingIt won't take much from a nearby neighborhood setup and use the devices to overload the cell site it's coming from.
LTE or 3G has limits too.
By the way if you have weak signal or no signal it may not benefit the user. | |
|
|
Does it support LTE?Will this device support LTE when Clearwire makes it available or will you have to purchase another modem? | |
|
| whfsdude Premium Member join:2003-04-05 Washington, DC |
whfsdude
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 3:15 pm
Re: Does it support LTE?said by Automate:Will this device support LTE when Clearwire makes it available or will you have to purchase another modem? You will have to purchase a modem. | |
|
|
define medianI truly doubt 5.5 GB. Even checking FB every other day and playing a flash game or two would set you over that limit. | |
|
| tshirt Premium Member join:2004-07-11 Snohomish, WA |
tshirt
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 4:37 pm
Re: define medianYou'd be surprised how many people are perfectly happy living without FB or flash games. | |
|
| | |
Re: define medianThat was not the point I was trying to make. I block FB at work and saved gigabytes of traffic a day.
A single Farmville session can be 20MB just to load the flash. And don't forget the advertisements and data mining add up.
Even my grandma who checks her stocks and email every third day or so is ~20 GB a month.
True, you can keep it lower with constant vigilance but I don't see a lot of people doing that. | |
|
| |
to Eagles1221
said by Eagles1221:I truly doubt 5.5 GB. Even checking FB every other day and playing a flash game or two would set you over that limit. Every other day? It does not consume 300+MB of data to check Facebook. If you discount Netflix and Pandora my average daily usage on the landline is around 200MB, and that's including the occasional big download. | |
|
| | Ubee E31U2V1 (Software) pfSense Netgear WNR3500L
|
Re: define mediansaid by Crookshanks:Every other day? It does not consume 300+MB of data to check Facebook. If you discount Netflix and Pandora my average daily usage on the landline is around 200MB, and that's including the occasional big download. actually, Facebook has made some huge increases over the last year on how much data it loads onto your system at first, and then count in if you scroll down any. It initially loads about 3MB on my system, and then if I scroll down about 5 pages worth, its an additional 10-15MB. If you just checked facebook, 10 times, thats 300MB. Websites are getting huge, and ads also take up a chunk of data too. Remember, its a median not an average. A median is the middle number of all your data points that separates the higher half from the lower half. This means that there are significantly fewer heavy users in their data(or they cut some out) than there are light users, which means that light users get a bias. I think its junk numbers unless they post the data they used anyways, since I can attest that just checking facebook and email, along with general web browsing can run upwards of 15GB a month for a household of 2. | |
|
| | | 1 edit |
Re: define medianThe GP didn't say checking FB ten times, he said checking it "every other day". The number I provided is real, I work in IT, and I've track every bit of data that passes across my pipe. The average usage (discounting Pandora and Netflix, which may be a cop-out, but there it is) is really right around 200MB. Some days I don't use the internet at all, other days I might bring home a laptop to work on and download 600MB of software updates.
Even with Pandora it's not that bad. IP Video is the real killer. Over the summer when we had better things to do than watch TV our total monthly count was always under 10GB, and that's for a household of two young people, one in IT, the other a fairly tech savvy teacher with a dawn to dusk Facebook addiction.
Would I willingly purchase a capped connection? No way in hell. I hold onto my unlimited cellular data plan for dear life even though I rarely exceed 1GB. I pay for a commercial internet account in part because of a 250GB cap on residential service, even though I have never exceeded that, or even come close to it (my record is 187GB). It's part principle, part peace of mind.
None of that means that there aren't lots of people who could save money from this service. Just checked their webpage, $18.99 for 8mbit/s and a 10GB cap. $14.99 for 3mbit/s and 10GB cap. $9.99 for 1.5mbit/s and a 10GB cap. How are you going to compete with those prices if those speeds and 10GB cap are ample for your needs? | |
|
| | | | |
Re: define median"I work in IT"
"Some days I don't use the internet at all"
"young people"
"I rarely exceed 1GB (per month)"
You are, without a doubt, the most Luddite of a young IT person I've ever, ever seen then. In fact, it makes me question the validity of your statements. I'll leave it at that, though, because I have no way of knowing what statements you make are true or false, anyway. | |
|
| | | | |
1 recommendation |
Re: define medianNow you accuse me of lying? How very mature of you.
Did it occur to you that someone who works with computers ALL DAY might want to do OTHER THINGS when they get home?
Also, I didn't say "1GB", I said 10GB, and qualified that with it only happened over the summer when we had better things to do than watch TV. Try reading my posts in the future before you get uppity. | |
|
| | | | | | BiggA Premium Member join:2005-11-23 Central CT |
BiggA
Premium Member
2013-Mar-7 4:25 pm
Re: define medianVery few tech-savvy people use that little data. Without even trying, I'm at like 100-150GB/mo. | |
|
| BiggA |
to Eagles1221
Yeah, that's a little suspect. I use like 150GB average, and I'm one user. Granted, I use more than a "normal" user, but with Netflix and Steam, among others, that seems way too low. | |
|
IanR join:2001-03-22 Fort Mill, SC |
IanR
Member
2013-Mar-6 3:33 pm
Not exactly freeBeware. I have the prior unit and the regularly hit my credit card with a $6.95 monthly fee even if I do not use the devise.... | |
|
| cramer Premium Member join:2007-04-10 Raleigh, NC |
cramer
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 6:07 pm
Re: Not exactly freeIt's $0.99 in any month where you don't use at least 5MB. I wouldn't say they're really up-front about it, but it's is documented in plain sight. | |
|
|
Probitas
Anon
2013-Mar-6 4:15 pm
pricingMakes the 34.99 CAN and taxes I pay monthly for 6mb/s download and 300GB usage seem cheap, even at such a low speed. I ought to stop complaining. | |
|
|
can't wait for the ipad solutionI mean "5 GB for $35" is one heck of a deal none of the big telcos | |
|
| |
Re: can't wait for the ipad solutionwhat? | |
|
| | |
Re: can't wait for the ipad solutionYou mean you haven't heard of freedompops Ipad attachment for their service. 5GB for 35 is a steal since both VZ and ATT charge your 50 for that amount of GB's | |
|
|
TriedIn02888
Anon
2013-Mar-6 4:27 pm
Minor AnnoyanceThe prices on their mobile offering were too high IMO since I can legally tether/hotspot with TMO for a modest daily fee. But I kicked the tires of their 500MB offering anyway and was pleasantly surprised how well it worked (and it supported Linux out of the box with no black magic). I was not happy seeing $1 to $2 monthly charges when the device was sitting in the drawer for months. Seems like once I exceeded my free threshold they wanted to top me off every month, even if the device had not even been used. Rather than quibble I returned the device for a refund. | |
|
axus join:2001-06-18 Washington, DC |
axus
Member
2013-Mar-6 4:41 pm
Seems like the next NetZeroThere was a short period where you could have free dialup internet from a few different companies; I guess this is something we'll see more of when "white space" broadband is available.
I don't expect a company offering free service to stick around, though; how much money are they paying Clearwire, and how are they going to make it back? | |
|
bemis Premium Member join:2008-07-18 united state |
bemis
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 5:13 pm
coverage mapsIt would be lovely if they would show you a coverage map without asking for your email, then your street address, then asking you for a credit card number--all without showing you a coverage map or giving any real details about speeds. | |
|
| |
Re: coverage maps FreedomPop |
This is what I got when I clicked past the "We have no service at your address, but click here to sign up anyway...." box. Not sure why anyone would do that, but at least I got to see the plans! | |
|
| cramer Premium Member join:2007-04-10 Raleigh, NC Westell 6100 Cisco PIX 501
|
to bemis
Umm, it's CLEARWIRE. Go look at the clearwire coverage maps. This is top secret, or even difficult.
(Translation: the coverage is complete shit. Anywhere it'll work, you'll have much better options -- and sometimes for free (i.e. open wifi.) It's nice for "on the road", but their coverage is so spotty, it won't stay connected just driving across the city.) | |
|
| | bemis Premium Member join:2008-07-18 united state |
bemis
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 7:08 pm
Re: coverage mapssaid by cramer:Umm, it's CLEARWIRE. Go look at the clearwire coverage maps. This is top secret, or even difficult I'm a consumer. So I don't know what CLEARWIRE vs. WiMAX vs. LTE vs. EVDO vs. HSPA+ is. In fact, thanks to marketing spin the only thing I really know is that 4G is one more 'G' than 3G and that makes it faster (BTW I have no idea about ping, latency, etc, either... I just know more "mbps" is better, but I don't really know what an "mbps" is). The point is I want to see a freaking map that says where they have coverage. If they can't do that without first selling me a plan then I know they are FoS. | |
|
pkorx8 join:2003-06-19 San Francisco, CA |
pkorx8
Member
2013-Mar-6 5:18 pm
Clearwire's coverage mapUse clearwire.com coverage map. Everyone who is on Wimax in this country is on Clearwire's network. | |
|
| 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2013-Mar-6 9:06 pm
Re: Clearwire's coverage mapsaid by pkorx8:Use clearwire.com coverage map. Everyone who is on Wimax in this country is on Clearwire's network. going to Clearwire's website an entering a zip code leads to a 404 page. | |
|
| | |
Re: Clearwire's coverage mapIt states you need to enter your actual address too. | |
|
| | | 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2013-Mar-7 7:30 am
Re: Clearwire's coverage mapsaid by TBBroadband:It states you need to enter your actual address too. there is no place for an address just a zip code. | |
|
pkorx8 join:2003-06-19 San Francisco, CA |
pkorx8
Member
2013-Mar-6 5:33 pm
Freedom Pop's version of throttle and capI'm on freedom pop's USB stick 2GB plan. I also have post-paid sprint with the HTC EVO 4G. Both of these are on the same Clearwire Wimax network. But my freedom connection will only max out at ~5mbps down, whereas the sprint connection will seee ~10mbps down. This test was conducted at the same location, with the highest bars on both devices.
Freedom pop does have an option to pay $3 month for "faster speeds". I haven't tried it yet, but I think thats the "unthrottled" version. I'm a bit annoyed as they do advertise their normal service as unthrottled.
In regards to caps, freedom pop does not have cap per se. They have your credit on file and if you exceed the monthly allotment they will just charge overage. So this is different from the old "unlimited" clearwire accounts.
As for freedom pop's "click-thru, earn GB" scheme, it consists of installing spam and other malicious programs on your computer from "sponsors". It turns your computer into a ridiculously useless spam-bot. I wonder how long it takes freedom pop to realize this ad model ain't gonna work. | |
|
| cramer Premium Member join:2007-04-10 Raleigh, NC Westell 6100 Cisco PIX 501
|
cramer
Premium Member
2013-Mar-6 6:16 pm
Re: Freedom Pop's version of throttle and capAs long as people are willing to whore themselves out for "free" bits, then it does, indeed, work. There are a few partner ads that don't require installing anything, or buying anything, but the payout is next to nothing.
(If you're going to milk that cow, use a throw-away VM) | |
|
| watmore join:2007-07-27 La Pointe, WI |
to pkorx8
I know off subject but looking for help. I had Freedom Pop's free plan. A salesmen from FP called and offered a free month of 5gbs or something. Like a fool I said yes. He said I can go back to my original plan anytime by going to the website.
Only thing is, the free plan is not listed on the website. So I requested a "cancel my service" via their emaill (the only way to contact them). No response for two weeks and continuing.
They have my credit card info and will start charging. Any thoughts on how I can extricate myself from Freedom Pop? | |
|
elray join:2000-12-16 Santa Monica, CA |
elray
Member
2013-Mar-6 6:31 pm
Low caps, High overages?$10/GB on the "free" 1GB plan, $5/GB on the paid 10GB plans.
While I consider the usage rates to be competitive (assuming the service works as advertised) they are "steep" by definition.
Is Karl asleep at the switch? Why does FP get a pass from the usual barbs? | |
|
| |
|
TA1
Anon
2013-Mar-6 8:40 pm
It is a scamI pre ordered and was charged for the home unit back in December and as of today I have not received it. They have removed their contact phone number from their website. I had called them in late Jan and was told it would ship early Feb. I called in early Feb and was told it would ship in late Feb. Now the phone number is gone from their website. This is a scam, DO NOT order anything from this company. | |
|
|
Phoenix has no WiMax... that's why it did not launch here!Neither Phoenix nor San Diego have any sizable WiMax coverage, they only have "Protection" sites in a few neighborhoods, so of course it's not gonna launch there.
I will say though, my Overdrive Pro rocks up at my friends house that has a protection site down the street since it actually picks up the WiMax. | |
|
kmand join:2002-05-06 Decatur, GA |
kmand
Member
2013-Mar-8 12:27 pm
Is it refundable?I have the Photon where the deal was that the $90 charge was a deposit and refundable if you ever return the device.
Is it the same for the Hub Burst, or is the $90 a purchase and you are stuck with it even if you terminate the account? | |
|
|
AndyChi
Anon
2013-Mar-12 2:27 am
Mine Works FineI ordered mine in January and got it a couple of weeks later. I live in the Chicagoland area and it seems serviceable. I do wish the lights on the side of it were more obvious.
It's on an iPod Touch 4, combined with Talkatone and Google Voice to basically give me a nearly free cell phone. Happily, the whole shebang can also connect to the Entune in my Toyota, so I can even make hands-free calls with it.
Whodathunkit. | |
|
|
|