Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

Minstrel S Wireless Modem and cheap service provider.

Hey, im wanting to get a wireless modem for my Prism and i see alot of Minstrel S modems on EBAY at great prices. I was just wondering how much service would be. Ide get it for 6 months at first, to see if it was any good. I saw somewhere that Verizon has a wireless IP service for wireless modems, and i went to www.verizonwireless.com and saw it myself. Its 24.99 a month, which is really good compared to Omnisky (which i dont like because its greyscale) and YadaYada(which is 40 dollars a month). It says "Specific modem models required to qualify for $24.95 rate plan. Annual agreement required"
and "Then you need Mobile IP Internet Access, with unlimited e-mail and web browsing on your Pocket PC or Palm PDA for just $24.95 a month!" If this is true, will it work with the Minstrel S modem i would buy off of EBAY? Can i sign up for 6 months instead of 12 months? Anyone use this service with their Visor? Any comments/answers would be appreciated. Thanks.

Registered: Jan 2001
Location:
Posts: 125

If Verizon says a one year contract is required, I seriously doubt they are going to make an exception for you (if you want to find out for sure, just call and ask). Also, note that when using Verizon as a service provider, when you are not using their network but on some other provider's network (AT&T, the only other one), you are charged a roaming fee per kb of data you download. This wouldn't be so bad except there are numerous places where Verizon doesn't cover and only AT&T does so if you want to use your modem in that area, you have no choice but to roam. Add to that that there is no type of alert on the modem or visor to let you know when you are roaming and the charges can start to add up. The only way to avoid the roaming charges is for you to call up Verizon and AT&T and find out exactly who covers the area you'll be using it in. Finally, a provider like OmniSky (OS) will let you do a month to month deal but its $40/month. If you sign up for a year with them and prepay that in advance, it comes out to around $30/month and you don't have to worry about who's network you are on. If you download a browser such as Avantgo or Blazer that supports color, they will work just fine (in color) on your Prism with the OS service. The OS service supports color, just not the software which is mainly web-clipping apps. A color version of the software is due out in late summer/early fall as well. I use a Prism and Minstrel S modem and I very much enjoy the OS service (in color). Finally, I am not sure Verizon supports a modem that already has preprogrammed software from another provider (the modems on Ebay are likely from former OS or YadaYada subscribers). If they don't, the modem may be useless to you. BTW, do you specifically know if the Verizon software supports color for the Minstrel S/Prism??

Marty

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

Thanks for the reply...

Im not sure if they support color, i dont see why they wouldnt? Also, why wouldnt the YadaYada version of the modem? Is there anyone else that knows anything about Verizons service? I just wanna know if i can use a YadaYada Minstrel S modem with Verizons service...or if the OmniSky minstrel s modem works. 40 dollars a month is kinda expensive for me, i think 24.99 is a good price. Thanks alot for the reply and im looking forward to more from other people.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 85

quote:

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Originally posted by mmendo1
Add to that that there is no type of alert on the modem or visor to let you know when you are roaming and the charges can start to add up.

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__________________
...the patron saint of the easily amused...

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

Verizon has a restricted account...

I called, and they can set my service to restricted which means it wont connect while im roaming, i wish i could pay 27 or 28 dollars a month, so when i roamed, it would tell me...and log me off in a few seconds...just incase im downloading my mail on the boarder, you know? but this is a good feature, because im only 14...and my dad is signing up for me. its gonna be nice, i cant wait...the modem is coming soon, i just won it on UBID really cheap, maybe 45 dollars...

thanks for the reply's

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

Just recieved....

I just recieved my Minstrel S module, and it was YadaYada's version. UBID did not say it was on the auction website, and they had a picture of the original novatel minstrel s.

anyways, i emailed them and their working on it, hopefully i could get the right one from them.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

Use that one! It comes with Browse-it which is faster than Blazer!
I love mine. Use it everyday. You can go to their web site and download the latest update which gives you the color version of the
browser (if you have the Prism).

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

maybe...

maybe i will use the YadaYada version, but it looks kinda stupid using the YadaYada modem and another provider....oh well. will it work with verizon? anyways, thanks.

bye

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Arlington, TX
Posts: 334

Verizon supplies the access for the modem.

__________________
Rick

www.visorsolutions.com

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

ok...

well how do i get rid of yada yada's software that is on the modem? i heard that if you buy the minstrel s from NOVATEL DIRECTLY it comes with multimail and a web browser, thats all i want on it, those applications the origional modem comes with and not this yada yada crap that im not going to use and pay 40 dollars for.!!!

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 95

Here is an email response I got from Verizon some time ago regarding the Minstrel S and Verizon�s wireless IP service.

Mobile IP service is available for the Minstrel S depending on your location. Give me a call at 800-308-3282 press option 1 then option 1 again for more info.

Thanks
Todd Grisar
[email protected]


At that Time I was using Yada Yada and was very disappointed with their service and had decided to go with my cell phone and a cable for wireless access before I received Verizons response. Good Luck.

Last edited by Brooklyn on 07-23-2001 at 12:15 AM

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Lexington, Ma
Posts: 138

picture

does anyone have a picture of the box the Novatel Minstrel S Modem comes in? not the YadaYada version or the Omnisky version, the origional with the green oval emblem on the modem. that would be great if someone could post it. thanks

dave