Verizon Expanding Subsidized Netbook Offers Next up: the Gateway LT2016u for $150, starting next week Wireless carriers have recently started subsidizing netbooks in much the same way they've subsidized smart phones -- assuming users are willing to sign long term contracts. Terrestrial operators are now getting into the act as well, with Verizon recently announcing a promotion that gives users a free Compaq Mini Netbook if they sign up for DSL. Both Qwest and AT&T have jumped on the bandwagon as well, an AT&T exec recently calling the economics of such deals for them are " terrific." Verizon next week should continue their subsidized netbook push, Engadget posting a leaked document that says big red will soon offer Gateway's LT2016u with integrated Verizon EVDO, for $150 with a mail in rebate and two year contract.
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  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Extend the olive branch a little further. For some, it may be worth it, but I think they need to extend the olive branch a little further.
1. Netbook ($299-$350)
2. Caps
3. VoIP = banned, many restrictions
Offer something 'decent' with a bundle:
Free Netbook (as listed) with DSL or $150 'LAPTOP', no caps. | |
|  | | | Re: Extend the olive branch a little further. said by en102:3. VoIP = banned, many restrictions News to me. I use an EVDO expresscard and use skype and sip voip with no problems.
Are you sure you're not confusing Verizon with AT&T? | |
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| | | Not good for consumers, only good for carriers This is just not a good deal when there is a 5GB limit.
Just tether your phone for much less. I have tethering on my Pre (turns it into MiFi). Use it when on the road with my Acer netbook. Many netbooks are now available in the $250 range, used ones for less.
Even if not using a phone to tether, using a USB connection card at least doesn't tie the netbook to one carrier. | |
| | | | | | | Re: Not good for consumers, only good for carriers The average user is around that limit. There is a very small segment of the population using 100X the bandwidth of the average consumer. This has been the reason companies are pushing to cap and charge for overages because they see that small segment using more as a money making opportunity because it's a small group that in most cases doesn't vote and has no political action outside forum posts like this. In all other markets these small market segments with high usage and from a demographic that isn't politically active they screw them with fees because they know there will be no retaliation. If you use in 100 of gigabytes of bandwidth per month you aren't average and you are a target for increased revenue, get used to the idea. | |
| | | |  r81984Fair and BalancedPremium
join:2001-11-14
Katy, TX | Re: Not good for consumers, only good for carriers With Hulu, Youtube, Facebook (pictures and videos), Netfick on demand, etc., I doubt the average user is under 5GB a month.
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Democrats are not Socialists any more than Republicans are. | |
| | | |  BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by rahvin112:The average user is around that limit. There is a very small segment of the population using 100X the bandwidth of the average consumer. This has been the reason companies are pushing to cap and charge for overages because they see that small segment using more as a money making opportunity because it's a small group that in most cases doesn't vote and has no political action outside forum posts like this. In all other markets these small market segments with high usage and from a demographic that isn't politically active they screw them with fees because they know there will be no retaliation. If you use in 100 of gigabytes of bandwidth per month you aren't average and you are a target for increased revenue, get used to the idea. Just 30 minutes of Hulu a day would put you over 5 GB a month. 5 GB isn't shit. | |
| | | |  MajestikWorld TravelerPremium
join:2001-05-11
Tulsa, OK | said by rahvin112:The average user is around that limit. There is a very small segment of the population using 100X the bandwidth of the average consumer. This has been the reason companies are pushing to cap and charge for overages because they see that small segment using more as a money making opportunity because it's a small group that in most cases doesn't vote and has no political action outside forum posts like this. In all other markets these small market segments with high usage and from a demographic that isn't politically active they screw them with fees because they know there will be no retaliation. If you use in 100 of gigabytes of bandwidth per month you aren't average and you are a target for increased revenue, get used to the idea. Average is more than 5gig.
I use a gig a week on my Iphone according to my phone bill.
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The adventure continues...*2009 so far...Bangkok..Thailand..Rio de Janneiro..London..Acapulco,Mexico.....Switzerland(Now). | |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | They are crazy So they are going to give me what $150-$200 discount off a netbook then force me to pay $60 a month and I only get a 5 GB cap and $51.20 per GB overage? Screw that. I'd rather pay full price for the netbook and not be tied down to a contract and just use wi-fi | |
|  Z801 point 77Premium
join:2009-08-31
Amerika | These should be free With 10" netbooks going for $250-$300 with only mild sales, these units should be 100% subsidized. Knocking off $100 then turning around and charging $60 for 5GB/mo isn't a deal by any stretch of the imagination. | |
| | | Unimpressed Not a very good choice, in my opinion. VZW should have either stuck with HP or gone with either ASUS or Dell. And yeah, free with 2-year contract would have been better than this joke of a deal.
And we can thank VZW for the 5 Gig cap crapola that everybody else has hitched onto in order to ramp up ARPU.
In this country, it's all about the money folks, nothing else matters; least of all value for dollar. | |
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