Customer Reviews

USB MODEM UTSTARCOM 175 BROADBAND ACCESS PHONE CARD VERIZON CDMA

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Living out in the sticks, dialup internet access was what I had to live with for ages. When Verizon added a tower that improved my cell phone coverage, I started wondering if it was an option for my PC as well. I'm not an early adopter of new technology and waited until neighbors had tried various options before I was willing to try this service. I've been using an extra phone line for the computer, the removal of which will save me half what this service costs monthly. Still it's an extra thirty bucks, so it has to be worth it to me.

Some neighbors are using the satellite service but aren't completely satisfied. The only negative comment I got about this little modem and the service was that there is a limit on how much access you get--5 gig/mo--which means you won't be downloading movies or playing internet games much, if at all. Since this isn't an issue for me, I decided to give it a try.

It is definitely faster than dialup access even at the fastest dialup modem speed. I use AOL and the TCP/IP connect is about 3-5 times faster, then all that stuff they display loads much faster as well and I can go about my business without waiting for more than a few seconds. That said, the transfer rate doesn't compare with the Comcast speed of my daughter's setup in town. This service is faster than dialup, but not 'blinding' by any means. As an example, in the past when I tried to download something, I noted the transfer rate on dialup was something like 4-6k per second. Sigh!! Things took forever and sometimes wouldn't download at all. I downloaded the update for my Kindle last night with this little modem and noted 50k/sec transfer rate. Certainly a lot better.

The speed does seem to depend on 'how crowded the air waves' are (or however you'd say that in technospeak :) and how many bars you get. I've found the number of bars is the same as what I get on my Verizon cell phone. Where my desktop PC is located, it varies from 0 to 2. I have ordered the antenna in hopes of boosting that.

Installing the little modem is as easy as running the CD installation disk that comes with it and then plugging the modem into a USB port when prompted to do so. It also comes with a cable in case you want to plug into a port on the back of a desktop PC and set the modem somewhere with easier access. You can leave the modem attached all the time if you want. It turns off when you turn the PC off. When on, it flashes a blue light, which means it's ready to pick up a signal. To connect your computer to the broadband service, you use the modem software (push the 'connect' button), which to me, seems to be equivalent to turning your cell phone on (the modem has a phone number). It is then ready for you to 'make a call', i.e. connect to the internet using some software such as Internet Explorer or AOL.

You can leave the modem connected all day like you would leave your cell phone on and not affect the data limit since that only happens when you are connected to and using the internet. If you use the internet with your cell phone, you know there is a data limit with it as well. This is sort of the same thing.

The modem software will show you what your usage is each time you connect so you're aware of what you've used so far. Sending emails, Facebook updates, photos, etc uses part of your allocation, as well as downloading files, photos, etc. Various internet screen refresh activities uses some. Watching streaming video or playing games uses a lot. Listening to internet radio uses enough that you probably won't want to do that all the time. For me, after 5 days of email, Facebook postings, attempting to watch some short videos and listening to the AOL radio one day just to see what impact it would have, plus downloading the Kindle software update, posting a few Amazon reviews, and the like, I've used about 225mg, or about 50mg a day, so I should be able to stay within the limit easily with no change to my regular internet activities.

I still cannot really watch streaming videos such as those on YouTube with my 1-2 bar connectivity, without breaks while it reloads the next bit. Even though it reloads faster than before, I have to want to see it pretty badly to put up with that.

One concern: This morning there seemed to be a problem with the modem connecting to Verizon. It was resolved within half an hour and it is Black Friday, which may or may not have anything to do with it. I will update if that happens again, but otherwise it has connected fast and remained connected without problem.

Bottom line: It is definitely better than dialup--for me about 5 times faster. That's not seriously fast, but acceptable and worth the extra money to me, especially since I don't have any options other than satellite which is affected by weather, trees, and costs more as well.

This modem is practical and fast. The convenience of this modem and the related service is that you can log on to the internet almost anywhere at acceptable speeds. Even in areas with no 3G service, the available Edge/GPRS service is fast enough to surf the web and to download documents at acceptable speeds. Buying the modem separate from the service is convenient because you can sign up for month-to-month service instead of signing up for a 2-year contract that is difficult to get out of. That is, you can terminate service whenever you want. Lastly, if you find that you are not getting a strong enough signal strength, Verizon sells a mini-mount antenna that enhances signal strength. It adds 1-2 bars to the signal in my experience.

This is the usb modem that I have used for over a year for my Verizon broadband service. I signed a one year contract and paid a little extra for the device. I recommend doing less than a two year contract because the Internet operates very slowly on this network. Late at night it's a little faster; however, mid day it takes forever, like dial up to get pages to load. Save your receipt, because the company claimed to have lost my contract and had me on a two year contract until I faxed them my copy of the contract.

This modem is also easy to break, as mine has broken from moving my laptop around. Also 5 GB is easy to use up if this is your only source of internet use. At 5 GB, if I watch a movie online it pretty much uses up most of the 5 GB.

A few positives are as follows, you never have to worry about being knocked off your network, like with cable and having to go about resetting up your password. It's also very easy to use, does not prevent your use during power outages. Used to be great for on the go internet; however, now most public places offer wifi for free.

We live way out in the country, near a lake. (The nearest WalMart is a 40 min drive.) Cable and DSL are not available in this area. For a long time it was strictly dial-up and Satellite. The Satellite service available then was bad service. Very slow when it dig work. Dec 2008 I bought this USB Modem thru Alltel. It worked pretty good for a short while. Then I received a notice that Verizon bought out my Alltel service. I changed phone service immediately, because Verizon was too expense and the service was even worse. I wasn't able to make or receive calls inside my home. I kept the internet service and called many times to get Verizon to fix the service out here. During my last call to Verizon regarding the bad service, I was informed the modem was outdated and no longer communicating with the towers. I would have to find a Verizon store and take the modem along with my laptop to get the modem updated. The Customer service person called several stores within 100+ miles of me and no one has the software for this antiquated modem. Furthermore, should I buy a new modem thru Verizon, I will be forced into a new 2-year contract with limits. Currently, I have an unlimited plan, which is no longer offered.

Item was bought to provide occasional Internet connectivity for a MacBook Air on week-long trips without Wi-Fi access. As user is my non-tech wife, straightforward operation was a requirement that the UTStarCom 175 fully meets.

Set up was also straightforward. A lesson learned was that if you don't install Verizon Access Manager software prior to plugging the modem into the USB port, you end up with two devices showing on your computer, not one... Although the problem was easily corrected. Activation by Verizon was supported by a knowledgeable and efficient person and took a 15 minute phone call.

Rating is 4 stars due only to fact that this is a 3G, not a 4G, modem. But given it's intended use for email and light web surfing, it's been more than sufficient. And the low modem price, coupled with the $30/week prepaid cost for a data plan, makes this a good buy.

This is a good modem and the amazon price is right. It's easy to set up and reliable.
The white color is nice and it has a pretty blue light that flashes at a leisurely rate.