ATT 3G vs Verizon MiFi

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Level 1

20 points

ATT 3G vs Verizon MiFi

Although I have seem to have been spared the worst of the WiFi problems, I have been very disappointed most of the places where I have tried to use the ATT cellular network. (Use that primarily when traveling and WiFi not available, and only have contract when needed.) Has anyone investigated the new offering from Verizon, or had enough experience using the MiFi setup to say whether the Verizon network is better in smaller towns, etc when using the Ipad? I might consider getting one of those connectors if I could get the same price as those who are buying their Ipads from Verizon and get an "off, then on again" contract like from ATT if the network coverage is really better for Ipads. My experience has been that of finding either no coverage or VERY slow coverage in the less populated areas with ATT.

imac, Mac OS X (10.6.3), Ipodtouch; Ipad 3G; previous IIGS

Posted on Oct 14, 2010 6:48 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 14, 2010 8:38 PM in response to tntoofore

My experience has been that of finding either no coverage or VERY slow coverage in the less populated areas with ATT.

And you'll probably experience similar coverage with any other wireless provider

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Answer 2

Oct 14, 2010 10:05 PM in response to tntoofore

If you truly want to get unlimited 3g data, get the virgin mobile mifi which uses the sprint network. Unlimited data for $40 a month without a contract. Verizon's $35 a month for 3g of data is a rip off.

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Answer 3

Oct 14, 2010 10:42 PM in response to Merged Content 1

I have the virgin mobile mifi and they seem to do it by offering unlimited data but keeping the speed so slow that you can't possibly do video or anything that would use a lot of bandwidth. 3G is hugely faster than my mifi, most of the time. It's usually running at less than 802.11b speeds, and I've used it from FL to western Washington state, so it's not just that I'm in an area with lousy coverage.

FWIW, my review of it:

http://barbarabrundage.com/2010/09/19/mifi/

(disclaimer: there's a commercial link on that page)

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Answer 4

Oct 15, 2010 3:21 AM in response to Barbara Brundage

This review actually answered my questions and raised some new ones. I was thinking about leaving ay-tee-tee for the V-man group. However, since everyone seems to be having a problem regardless of the carrier, I'll just keep my expectations low(er).

Thanks.

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Answer 5

Oct 15, 2010 5:04 AM in response to tntoofore

I have both an iPhone and a wireless only iPad. A couple of months ago I got a Verizon MiFi because I travel all over North America. The MiFi has been terrific. Not only does it consistently give me a solid connection for my iPad, but I also use it to connect my laptop, saving the cost of daily Internet service at many hotels. That alone has more than paid for the monthly MiFi cost. As Barbara has correctly pointed out, the speeds aren't exactly blazing, but they are perfectly fine for email and light web browsing. If you are addicted to watching YouTube or streaming videos, this isn't the device for you. But if you use it for business travel, it's great.

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Answer 6

Oct 15, 2010 5:58 AM in response to virtualgeo

Thanks for that, virtualgeo. I've been wondering if the other mifis would have a significantly faster connection.

I agree--it's great for things like being able to call up a map in the car, going to a website to find a contact phone number, or checking email when I stop for lunch. Fortunately I usually stay in hotels that have free wifi, so for any kind of heavy use I can generally wait for that. But I think my next ipad will have 3G, as much as I dislike ATT.

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Answer 7

tntoofore Author

Level 1

20 points

Oct 18, 2010 6:39 AM in response to virtualgeo

Thanks. I need connection only for email, etc, when on trips, but have sometimes been unable to connect at all with ATT, and at other times even loading the first screen of a web site has been painfully slow. I only use the smallest of the ATT data accounts, and then only for the months of travel. Q uestion is whether Verizon would be any better for this, and whether one can turn on and off as needed.

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