Verizon to offer prepaid wireless internet for portable PC users

Friday, November 06, 2009

Telecom giant Verizon will offer a limited wireless broadband service to laptop users starting November 15 at its retail outlets and at national retailers on November 20, according to PC World.

The prepaid service will be available in a variety of durations and will allow for different amounts of bandwidth to be used. Customers will be able to pay $15 for one day's worth of internet access and 75 MB of data capacity, $30 for one week and 250 MB, or $50 for a month and 500 MB. All of these options will require users to purchase a $130 USB modem in order to connect to the service. Verizon says that its monthly option will enable users to read 170,000 emails, 3,400 web pages or send and receive about 500 low-resolution photos, according to CNET news.

Verizon also offers a contract service, which costs $60 per month and allows for 5 GB of data capacity. This service is similar to mobile broadband plans offered to Verizon's cell phone customers.

Some analysts say that Verizon's efforts are doomed to failure in this area due to its prices already being undercut by Virgin Mobile, which offers cheaper prices and more available bandwidth.