The limits of "unlimited" EVDO (http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060727-7365.html) -- Ars Technica, 2006-07-27
Laptop luggers love Verizon's EVDO service, but they're not so keen on its limitations. Think of EVDO as a cellular version of the always-almost-here-now WiMAX; it provides Internet access through cellular towers, providing a seamless data connection throughout entire urban areas and along interstates. But because bandwidth on Verizon's cell network is limited, the company boots people who use too much bandwidth.
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What gets people so worked up about the whole situation is that Verizon pitches their service as "unlimited." If you read the fine print, though, the EVDO service is "unlimited" only for certain things. Those things are spelled out in the user agreement, and include "(i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access (including access to corporate intranets, email and individual productivity applications like customer relationship management, sales force and field service automation)."

Opus1guy, you've mentioned EVDO several times; have you run into any similar issues with usage limits?

Opus1guy, you've mentioned EVDO several times; have you run into any similar issues with usage limits?

I've never had issues personally, as I use it mainly for standard web surfing and email stuff mainly only when no other hi-speed internet is available. I do download and upload pretty big files on occasion...but generally I don't stream/download full length movies very often using EVDO.

I think they're mainly concerned with folks using this service hosting their big servers or web sites, or allowing many users via an EVDO router, or massive streamings and film downloads. I think the average single-use consumer would never have a problem.

I mentioned some folks I know that did get canned from the service in the other thread you started on this subject some time ago:

http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=55425

The short version of what I wrote in that thread is that I think Verizon should expand capacity and change their policy on this.

But I don't think I'll ever have anything to worry about even if I were to increase my usage a hundred fold. I think they're just looking at the uber-mega bandwidth hogs right now. But IMHO...unlimited should mean unlimited.

This reminds me of one of the provider commercials that has been running here in the central valley for some time where the person is asking about the service plans, and the sales person says our plans are "um-limited". Nice!

Some news and hopeful thinking about Verizon's Broadband Access and the "unlimited" issues:

In other Verizon news, Nortel Networks has won a contract to start upgrading Verizon's system to EV-DO Rev. A beginning this fall. The peak data rates of up to 3.1Mbps that Rev. A provides will allow applications like streaming video and VoIP. Currently both of these activities are among those prohibited under Verizon's "unlimited" Broadband Access contract. We hope that Rev. A brings not only a speed increase, but a change in contract terms.

Also...for any MacBook Pro users that have been patiently waiting for the ability to use EVDO on their machines...this news:

Verizon is expected to ship its own version of the [MacBook Pro] Novatel V640 ExpressCard within the next couple weeks. Verizon has already updated its Mac VZAccess software, which will be bundled with the card at launch.