Verizon/Internet/Air Card question.......

[BigPoppa]

I have a Verizon air card for internet access on my laptop. I get 5100 mb every month. I am routinely exceeding that usage and that overage runs into big $$$.

I'm no computer guy, but apparently that is an inordinate amount of data usage, especially since I don't watch streaming videos, don't game, and don't upload or download music files.

I do a lot of web browsing and watch the occasional YouTube video and news videos from the Nashville TV stations. I use the facebook instant message system about every night talking to my Dad, but just for a few minutes at a time.

What could be causing this excess usage? Is there possibly a setting on my laptop that is askew? I disconnect the internet every time I log off.

[BigPoppa]

As a follow-up, I'm looking for some pay-as-you-go air cards as a backup. Anybody know of any?

[Oh Shoot]

That's only 5 GB, not really all that much, easily exceeded with what you do.

Comcast gives 250 GB/month on accounts, for example.

If you want to monitor where data is coming from in real time while you're online, you can (I'm assuming Windows) run a program like TCP view:

TCPView for Windows

It doesn't even install, you can just keep it desktop and start it and let it run, look at it now and then, jot down sites, ips, and whatnot to see where the majority your data is coming from.

You can also use any number of monthly bandwidth monitoring programs that give you a running total, but then you already pretty much know what it is, and the ones I've used didn't give details. When Comcast instituted the 250 GB "cap", I ran one, 'cause had no idea how much I was using, but I do pretty much what you do, but likely a good bit more of it. Anyway, I think I was averaging maybe 25-40 GB/month. Point is, 5 GB really isn't really much at all. It's only about one standard DVD's worth of data.

Heck, just normal processes checking for updates and whatnot, and what they download, like Windows itself, web browsers, AV proggies, etc, could use .5 GB or more any given month without your having even "surfed".

Is the next level of usage on that service exorbitant, or is that all they offer?

- OS

Edited May 23, 2011 by OhShoot

[strickj]

I use about 100MB\month just checking emails from the phone so what you're using is not that much.

Edited May 23, 2011 by strickj

[Guest Lester Weevils]

3G (or slower) apparently costs the carriers more to put on-air than the upcoming 4G that is slowly coming online. I'm only guessing, because for instance Sprint has a pretty low data limit on its 3G accounts but Sprint is advertising unlimited data for the same price on 4G. None of the phone companies seem inclined to give anything away or do anybody any favors, so there must be something about 4G that doesn't hog their equipment as bad as heavy 3G access?

Think I've seen similar "unlimited" 4G plans from other providers, but could be mistaken.

4G is not in Chattanooga yet, so it is a moot issue for me until the service actually becomes available.

Just sayin-- If you hang on a few months, MAYBE you could get an unlimited plan for not much money once 4G gets established better?

[mikegideon]

I assume you're stuck into a verizon cortract for awhile. Check out Clearwire. They have 4G coverage in Murfreesboro. Hit this link, enter your zip, and they'll give you a coverage map.

Wireless High Speed Internet Service Provider - Clearwire

[Fyrguy]

Virgin Mobile USA has a pre-paid mobile broadband service. It uses Sprint's 3G network. Average to below average pricing. Broadband2Go - 3G Mobile Broadband Service | Virgin Mobile

Cricket and Clearwire also offer some prepaid and post-paid options.

[Guest Drewsett]

If you only use it in the way you have described, I would recommend Clearwire. It is unlimited usage for a reasonable fee. If you try to use it to watch video and other things, prepare to be disappointed when you hit the frequent slow spots.

[sigmtnman]

Datajack uses the verizon wireless network and is prepaid with no contracts. I've not used it but if I go over, I plan to try them out.

[Guest nicemac]

RE:"I'm no computer guy, but apparently that is an inordinate amount of data usage, especially since I don't watch streaming videos, don't game, and don't upload or download music files.

I do a lot of web browsing and watch the occasional YouTube video and news videos from the Nashville TV stations."

That is where you usage is.

Email attachments count against you as well.

[mikegideon]

If you only use it in the way you have described, I would recommend Clearwire. It is unlimited usage for a reasonable fee. If you try to use it to watch video and other things, prepare to be disappointed when you hit the frequent slow spots.

He's already using Verizon, which is one big slow spot. We move broadcast quality audio over Clearwire from remote locations.

[JeffL]

You can get a 10gb plan with Verizon. Can you not get DSL or Cable modem where you are?

[sigmtnman]

Last time I checked, the 10gb plan was more than buying two 5 gb plans. Verizon 3g gives me faster than DSL speeds here, but the local market is not saturated. Occasionally, it slows down during peek usage, but I would guess at the bottleneck being the backbone to the tower, not the tower to the device.

[JeffL]

Last time I checked, the 10gb plan was more than buying two 5 gb plans. Verizon 3g gives me faster than DSL speeds here, but the local market is not saturated. Occasionally, it slows down during peek usage, but I would guess at the bottleneck being the backbone to the tower, not the tower to the device.

5gb plan is $50. The 10gb plan is $80.

[sigmtnman]

Wow, that has dropped since Jan-Feb this year. The 10gb plan was not even advertised and was only available by asking a rep on the phone. Guess it may be time to upgrade my plan.