netzero - need help in decoding the fine print

http://www.netzero.net/

I'm planning to buy this netzero device which comes with free 200mb per month of data usage.
Here is the fine print:
All data plans, including the Free plan, require the purchase of a NetZero 4G Mobile Broadband device. Access to the Free plan from a specific device expires (and may not be renewed) twelve (12) months from the date of initial registration, or upon upgrading to a paid plan.

What I don't understand is, after 12 months I can't have free 200mb any more, I must upgrade if I want to continue?

Free only lasts for 12 months, it seems...200mb/mo isn't much, and I wonder what the 'device' costs...looks like $50 or $100...

Check out the coverage map - pretty sparse, IMHO.

What I do not understand is; Can i buy the device on eBay for cheaper and still get the free service for a year?

Too bad it is not 3g as 4g wimax coverage is spotty.

xfmpcx said:   What I do not understand is; Can i buy the device on eBay for cheaper and still get the free service for a year?

Too bad it is not 3g as 4g wimax coverage is spotty.No

200 mb is too easy to exceed per month, especially there are so many websites come with Flash for non-video purpose.

Even google maps can burn though the data. I would reconsider if I were you.

wizardking said:   Even google maps can burn though the data. I would reconsider if I were you.

hmm... you could be right. I don't know I'm just trying to spend as little as possible but at the same time utilize the technology.

I have been using prepaid for more than 8 years. Before I was in the regular plan because I didn't know about prepaid cell phones until one of my colleagues was mentioning it and I realized that's exactly what I need. I'm with tmobile prepaid and my wife has at&t prepaid. We don't spend more than $200 per year together.

I hate paying those ridiculously high premium for post paid mobile and data, that doesn't make any sense to me, I feel like it's a complete rip-off.

I guess netzero is not for me. If I need internet on the go, I guess I should go to starbucks or somewhere and spend a dollar on coffee and use their free internet.

gangt said:   TheDealMaker said:   200 mb is too easy to exceed per month, especially there are so many websites come with Flash for non-video purpose.

200mb is good for me. My purpose is to have some internet while i am on the road just to use it on my prepaid cell phone. I don't have a regular cell phone account since i don't need it. The internet connection is to use with Google maps, to get directions and stuffs, although i use gps its not as good as google.maps.

Well, you might need to get a cell phone account then after all.

Get TMobile hot spot & use the prepaid card to use the data plan.

http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones/cell-phone-detail.aspx?class...

you can use your wifi enabled phone to surf internet.

wp746911 said:   lol netzero- I remember playing counterstrike on netzero 56k (free internet with some banner ads)-> major lag.

I remember original Team Fortress and being excited when my ping "dropped down" to the high 200s.

Ahhh....netzero and napster, the good ol' days....

rsuaver said:   gangt said:   TheDealMaker said:   200 mb is too easy to exceed per month, especially there are so many websites come with Flash for non-video purpose.

200mb is good for me. My purpose is to have some internet while i am on the road just to use it on my prepaid cell phone. I don't have a regular cell phone account since i don't need it. The internet connection is to use with Google maps, to get directions and stuffs, although i use gps its not as good as google.maps.

Last year I had a meeting at a Microsoft building. Google directions told me I've reached my destination. I was at an intersection and the only building was a gas station.

...and then you looked around and saw a sign that read "Welcome to Canada"