Post by Deleted on Dec 5, 2013 23:50:28 GMT -5
FreedomPop
Free Wireless Internet | Free Internet | 4G Wireless Internet - FreedomPop
FreedomPop just launched (Oct 3rd 2012) in beta today.
I've just signed up myself, and will come back here and detail how well or poorly it works for me.
They offer a 500MB/month plan, for free. As in $0.00 per month.
Usage beyond 500MB costs $0.02/MB on a pre-paid type service; if you don't pay into your account, the service just stops working after 500MB each month (you have to opt out of 'auto-top-up').
You MUST use one of their devices. They currently have 2 3 on offer:
- USB Stick
- Mobile Hotspot (aka MiFi)
- iPhone Sleeve (not really relevant to RW users, unless you have an iPod Touch you'd tote around anyway)
The USB stick plugs into a laptop or PC and provides internet service to just that one device.
The Mobile Hotspot creates a wifi hotspot for up to 8 devices to connect at once.
The iPhone Sleeve looks like a large iPhone case; it holds an iPhone or iPod Touch and provides the same functions as the Mobile Hotspot.
These devices come at a price; or a deposit actually. According to the site, you'll never own the device. You must put a security deposit on the device which is refunded if/when you close your account. $50 for the USB Stick, $90 for the MiFi. (I didn't check the cost for the iPhone Sleeve)
So, if you opt-out of the 'auto-top-up' and eventually close your account and get your deposit back, this service is legitimately FREE. It does tie up either $50 or $90 for however long you're using the service though.
They follow a common trend on the internet of providing MORE free service if you link your account with other users. This is an attempt to grow their user base. If someone you know also signs up for service and you both link your accounts together, you each get an additional 10MB of free usage each month. The free additional usage is capped at 500MB, making your total possible free service 1GB per month after linking with 50 'friends'. The free 10MB per friend disappears if your friend closes their account.
More free service is available by way of 'offers'. I won't get into detail on this as I suspect these offers will change regularly and are perhaps more invasive than they are worth.
Beyond free usage you can also pay a monthly fee for additional usage, alerts for when you approach your limit of use, faster data speeds, etc.
A relevant article can be found here:
techland.time.com/2012/10/03/freedompops-free-mobile-data-plans-what-you-need-to-know/
Free Wireless Internet | Free Internet | 4G Wireless Internet - FreedomPop
FreedomPop just launched (Oct 3rd 2012) in beta today.
I've just signed up myself, and will come back here and detail how well or poorly it works for me.
They offer a 500MB/month plan, for free. As in $0.00 per month.
Usage beyond 500MB costs $0.02/MB on a pre-paid type service; if you don't pay into your account, the service just stops working after 500MB each month (you have to opt out of 'auto-top-up').
You MUST use one of their devices. They currently have 2 3 on offer:
- USB Stick
- Mobile Hotspot (aka MiFi)
- iPhone Sleeve (not really relevant to RW users, unless you have an iPod Touch you'd tote around anyway)
The USB stick plugs into a laptop or PC and provides internet service to just that one device.
The Mobile Hotspot creates a wifi hotspot for up to 8 devices to connect at once.
The iPhone Sleeve looks like a large iPhone case; it holds an iPhone or iPod Touch and provides the same functions as the Mobile Hotspot.
These devices come at a price; or a deposit actually. According to the site, you'll never own the device. You must put a security deposit on the device which is refunded if/when you close your account. $50 for the USB Stick, $90 for the MiFi. (I didn't check the cost for the iPhone Sleeve)
So, if you opt-out of the 'auto-top-up' and eventually close your account and get your deposit back, this service is legitimately FREE. It does tie up either $50 or $90 for however long you're using the service though.
They follow a common trend on the internet of providing MORE free service if you link your account with other users. This is an attempt to grow their user base. If someone you know also signs up for service and you both link your accounts together, you each get an additional 10MB of free usage each month. The free additional usage is capped at 500MB, making your total possible free service 1GB per month after linking with 50 'friends'. The free 10MB per friend disappears if your friend closes their account.
More free service is available by way of 'offers'. I won't get into detail on this as I suspect these offers will change regularly and are perhaps more invasive than they are worth.
Beyond free usage you can also pay a monthly fee for additional usage, alerts for when you approach your limit of use, faster data speeds, etc.
A relevant article can be found here:
techland.time.com/2012/10/03/freedompops-free-mobile-data-plans-what-you-need-to-know/