AirCard internet access with no plan? Possible?

January 4, 2008 6:35 PM

Do any of the services that offer aircards for wireless anywhere access to the Internet also offer a pay as you go or prepaid plan?

I'm looking for backup, emergency, occasional, anywhere internet access. One of the aircards (or usb cell modems) offered by the cellphone companies would work fine BUT I can't find one that is plan-less.

Since I will only be using it occasionally and may go months without using it at all, I do not want to pay a monthly plan. Having said that, I suspect that I will have to buy the card at top dollar (since I won't have a plan) and the per minute or per data charge won't be budget either.

I use Virgin Mobile for pay as you go cellphone service and it is perfect for my needs but, alas, they don't have any non-phone or phone-as-modem offering.

I've scoured the obvious suspects and found pay-as-you go and prepaid options for Verizon and T-Mobile and AT&T cellphones but not air cards or usb modems.

Anyone seen such a thing or am I just living a decade too soon?

posted by susandennis to computers & internet (5 comments total)

If you have an embedded card or device with Verizon Wireless National/Broadband Access it can be used for pay as you go. I believe it's $7.99 per day.
posted by Octoparrot at 6:38 PM on January 4, 2008

Mefi Mail me and I can get you some more information if no one else can provide better info on the Verizon Wireless service. I err... have the inside scoop.
posted by Octoparrot at 6:39 PM on January 4, 2008

According to this, you should be able to do this with the right phone on Verizon InPulse. However, I have all the proper ingredients, including a moto E815 that I hacked to allow DUN and used when I was a vzw post-paid customer, but I've failed to get it to work,
posted by Steve3 at 7:21 AM on January 5, 2008

Unfortunately I misquoted the price.
# Pricing is $15 for a 24 hour period.
# Must pay via credit card or Verizon Wireless gift card.
# Activation of the daily plan is self-activated using the software that comes with the device (VZAccess)
# Cards cannot be purchased without activating directly from Verizon Wireless. Will need to purchase via another retailer (eBay may be a good option for a used card).
# Additional info on the BBA Daily Access or Monthly Plan is available at 800-786-8419
posted by Octoparrot at 5:03 PM on January 7, 2008

Thanks very much, Octoparrot, for the detailed information!
posted by susandennis at 5:08 PM on January 7, 2008