Comments on: Verizon Wireless USB727 Modem Review

By: Julie

Julie — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:51:28 +0000

@Susan Thanks for the tip. I’d not heard of daypasswireless. I might use it on my next trip – if I don’t buy a MiFi or other wireless modem.

By: Susan Lucas

Susan Lucas — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:38:03 +0000

I used daypasswireless.com for a short trip where I knew wifi would not be an option and it’s GREAT. The Verizon USB727 arrived in the mail as promised, the rental is less than $8/day (remember I have no other options) and I’ll pop it in the mail as I leave for home. Only criticism–they charge $4.95 each way for shipping, and then send it first class mail. I hate when shipping is padded; why don’t they just say handling or processing or something? Also wonder what happens if it gets lost in the mail due to no tracking. Hope I don’t find out. Anyway, glad it’s there, easy to use, and I don’t have to be out of touch.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:10:43 +0000

Has anyone been successful with the MicroSD reader on this USB727?

I picked up a 4 gig card today and cannot get it recognized in any of my computers… I’m not too sure if it’s the card, the built in reader, or what….

By: Julie

Julie — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:29:07 +0000

Jim:
Bummer! I didn’t have those issues when I tested the modem. I wish I still had one actually… I just don’t want to pay the monthly fee

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:29:11 +0000

I’m very impressed with the USB727, it works extrememly well when it works. I’ve wrestled to install the Verizon Access Manager on 3 different computers, & had a terrible time getting the computer to recognize the hardware properly. Spent many hours with Verizon tech support. There VERY nice to work with but not real tech savy. I’ve had the modem replaced by Verizon and had worse results with the replacement. I’m waiting for my 3rd unit.
If anyone’s had success solving driver installation problems I would really like to hear about it.

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:41:09 +0000

Andy:
You’re right, I had my terminology wrong… Verizon has EV-DO, not Edge. Sorry about that…

By: Andy Van Pelt

Andy Van Pelt — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 03:26:08 +0000

Julie,

Is it really EDGE, or is it 1x? Verizon, as a CDMA carrier, would not be able to transmit an EDGE signal. Are they partnering with ATT/T-Mobile to use the EDGE network?

Question: Is there any kind of rental market for these kinds of things? This would be wonderful when I travel, and completely unnecessary when I don't.

By: shkermaker

shkermaker — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:59:26 +0000

Never understood why it's so expensive for you guys in the states. In the UK we have the choice of 5 networks who all offer 3G access with 3-5Gb of usage a month for Â£15-20 (depending which network you opt for) on either and 18 or 24 month contract AND the modem is free!!!!

At the moment as well, some stores are offering massive subsidies on Laptops/Netbooks if you sign up for 24 month contracts e.g. The MSI Wind you love so much is free at PC World if you sign up to 3's Â£25 a month service for 24 months with 5gb of usage.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:02:32 +0000

EVDOinfo:

In my review, I didn’t complain about my speed results ) I was perfectly happy with the speed. Surfing around and watching YouTube vids with the USB727 really didn’t feel significantly different than surfing on my iMac using my T1 line. The only time I really noticed the speed diff was in downloading large files.

By: EVDOalex

EVDOalex — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:34:06 +0000

Am guessing you mean verizon blocks use of tethering for folks who aren't paying for the 'data feature' that allows tethering.

If 'data feature' is enabled on a voice plan and the handset is a model that has vzam software available to it, tethering is officially supported by verizon. software is at vzam.net

ATT is a lousy choice for actual "3G" coverage... the vast majority of ATT's U.S. coverage is actually their EDGE/GPRS network. Check out graphic that is part of this blogpost.

and finally, back to the actual review on this site!

the USB727 rocks... as with all these devices, "signal is king" and judging from your speedtest results you either need better signal, or the tower you are connected to is overworked/underfed.

its best not to judge signal via "bars" and instead learn the relationship between RSSI and speedtests. This article helps

lastly, one very cool way to share the EVDO connection is this "portable hotspot" from cradlepoint: PHS300

sooner or later, everyone who gets turned on to EVDO, wants to be able to share the love with more than just the one computer their modem is attached to! ;-)

[Edited at November 06, 2008 09:36:50 AM.]

[Edited at November 06, 2008 09:37:19 AM.]

[Edited at November 06, 2008 09:37:36 AM.]

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:04:54 +0000

Avaviel:

Yes, I agree that tethering a cellphone is another way to go. Unfortunately for me, I don't have 3G coverage (AT&T) in my area. But, I have EV-DO (Verizon). Doesn't Verizon try to block tethering with their phones?

By: Avaviel

Avaviel — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:37:40 +0000

Personally, I use my jailbroken iPhone 3G and a program called PDANet. It works well... of course, there is still setup to do on the PC and iPhone, and it must be jailbroken. But it is less setup than if it was on a non-jailbroken iPhone with NetShare, or other sharing programs. PDANet makes the iPhone into a router.

Of course, if you use this you don't want to use too much, because they might slap you with a big fine. But I've not had issues using it for normal surfing and minor downloading. Now if you go using torrents and stuff like that, you as asking for them to get you!