Pros and Cons of Millenicom

[TripleE]

I have read a number of people suggestions that Millenicom is a good substitute for Verizon. I would like to hear if there are any cons to the service.

I am looking to possibly replace my grandfathered unlimited data plan with Verizon and upgrade my device. This seems to be the cheapest way to do that. We use between 10 - 15 GB each month so the new Verizon plan would be expensive.

[CA_Traveler]

Dave,

Can both devices automatically select unused channels? Was that the problem or something else?

[Dave_From_AK]

I learned an unpleasant fact today. Under the one-year warranty on their MiFi devices they will replace only the initial device. If the replacement device fails, even while you are still under the one-year warranty, you are SOL:

"Millenicom offers a one-year warranty on mobile broadband devices we provide for our service. In the event a replacement is necessary the one-year warranty dates from the initial device provided. Please note that Millenicom provides one replacement, if another is required then the issue surpasses Millenicom’s resources to resolve and the account will need to be closed." FAQ

Our Millenicom MiFi device appeared to have failed. I went through a lot of troubleshooting with their excellent support people, who finally concluded that the device was bad. They told me that, since they had replaced my original device few months ago, I would have to buy a new device (plus shipping, plus another activation fee).

(As it turns out, further troubleshooting on my part revealed that the problem was with another 2.4 GHz in our rig. That device, after years of use, suddenly started wiping out the MiFi's Wi-Fi signal. I was able to change the channel on that device and the problem went away.)

[DiskDoctr]

We've had Millenicom for about a year and a half. We use it sporadically and not large amts of data.

But their latest price jump of about 30% nudges them out of the 'no reason to bother' into 'no sense paying that much' category.

I added Foxfi to my unlimited 3g (not much 4g where we are and go) phone, so we'll try that for now.

$89 is okay of you actually use 20gig/month, but too much to have for spurts.

Technically speaking, it is quite reliable, both hardware and software, they just priced themselves out of my market.

[The_Texan]

Redsky wrote:


That is great if you have the new MHS291LVW otherwise you have only two ways to monitor data usage. You can get a 36 hour lagged value by making a request Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays during the week or you can use a router that tracks data usage.

That is NOT correct, no request is needed. The usage is automatically posted to your account every MWF so all you have to do is log in and check your usage.

[Redsky]

Dave From AK wrote:

Redsky wrote:
...The only drawback with Millenicom is that you do not automatically get real time data usage information. If you use a Cradlepoint 95 or 1400 router you can monitor data usage in real time minute by minute with Millenicom.

The replacement device that Millenicom sent me when my first device failed is a Pantech Jetpack MHS291LVW. This MiFi device displays usage in real time, resetting itself automatically at the end of the billing period.

That is great if you have the new MHS291LVW otherwise you have only two ways to monitor data usage. You can get a 36 hour lagged value by making a request Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays during the week or you can use a router that tracks data usage.

We use a Cradlepoint router that has Wifi as WAN capability and use it to track usage on our two 4620LE Mifi devices during the month. It breaks out usage to the second for each device and will send an alert when we reach a usage level I have set in the router.

Crazy that we have to deal with this stuff in the USA where big corporations run almost everything. I just returned from little Costa Rica where the government runs the telecommunications and Wifi is free everywhere in the country as it is treated as a service like providing drinking water and waste treatment and health care and transportation and roads and education. Of course they don't spend half their nation's budget as we do on the military, which does make a profound difference.

[Learjet]

I got the email this morning, a little disappointed I must say.

[The_Texan]

Here is the true story of the increase in price. Before blaming Millenicom for this, read the truth.....

[Dave_From_AK]

In case you missed it, this arrived in the email this afternoon:

"Due to increased data costs from the upstream carrier all Millenicom
broadband accounts (Hotspot, Advanced and Standard Plans) will allow for
20GB of data transfer for $89.99 monthly beginning May 1, 2014.

In the event you require higher usage, Millenicom can add data in 20GB
increments for $89.99. This means you no longer need to purchase an
additional device, activation and shipping, to acquire more than 20GB of data.

Please note you can track usage online by checking the usage field at the
bottom of your plan link from the products tab in the Members Center.

Millenicom"

[ol_Bombero-JC]

.

"The Millenicom Verizon Hotspot Plan Survival Guide"

~

Millenicom questions - answered for new user

~

[KampingKris]

Have had good luck with Verizon and my contract is up. It's $50 for 5 gig or $80 for 10 gig... This sounds like a much better deal.
Sounds like time for a change

[GoPackGo]

I've had Millenicom.com for about a year now. Used it at home for my home computer usage and now use it for full timing. The MiFi is sitting in a Wilson Sleek right now.

The hotspot functions as a router and will run about 6 hours or so on a charge. Can put it in your pocket and sit in a park, or at the beach - run a tablet, notebook PC, Nook, etc. I usually just leave mine plugged in all the time. You can run up to 10 devices on it if I remember correctly. I also have my Iphone set to use it for data purposes if in range.

Runs on the Verizon system, which was a main point for me. $69.99/month. Seems like a deal. And as others have stated you get to talk to real people up there in Portland if you need customer support. What's not to like ?

Tim

[Dave_From_AK]

Redsky wrote:
...The only drawback with Millenicom is that you do not automatically get real time data usage information. If you use a Cradlepoint 95 or 1400 router you can monitor data usage in real time minute by minute with Millenicom.

The replacement device that Millenicom sent me when my first device failed is a Pantech Jetpack MHS291LVW. This MiFi device displays usage in real time, resetting itself automatically at the end of the billing period.

[WayneLee]

Another plus for Millenicom is the fact that they do not charge any taxes on your service. $69.99 per month plan is billed to you as $69.99, NOT $69.99 PLUS taxes!

As others have said, their customer service is great. They answer the phones with live people, who can actually help you.

[rdthompson1]

I've been with Millenicom about 3 years. No cons, they are a great company. I started with the Sprint plan, but they no longer have it. Wait time to talk to a real person. Always less than ONE minute. Call and talk to them, they speak real english and are very helpful.