Newbie: Combo VZW Blackberry and aircard data plans ?

[Delawaredave]

I would like to get both a Blackberry handheld AND aircard for my laptop.

Can the same Verizon data plan cover both the Blackberry and aircard ?

So the $59/month (or whatever it is) -- does that give me access to both Blackberry and aircard ?

I hope I would not have to pay for 2 data plans each month - one for BB and one for aircard - that is 2 times $59/month or $118.

If so, I guess an alternative is to use the Blackberry as a wireless modem for laptop ? Is that practical ? Easy to connect ? Any issues ?

Thanks for your help !

[Jay2TheRescue]

Originally Posted by Delawaredave

I would like to get both a Blackberry handheld AND aircard for my laptop.

Can the same Verizon data plan cover both the Blackberry and aircard ?

So the $59/month (or whatever it is) -- does that give me access to both Blackberry and aircard ?

I hope I would not have to pay for 2 data plans each month - one for BB and one for aircard - that is 2 times $59/month or $118.

If so, I guess an alternative is to use the Blackberry as a wireless modem for laptop ? Is that practical ? Easy to connect ? Any issues ?

Thanks for your help !

Having shared data between 2 devices is unheard of. They will charge you for data on both devices. It may be cheaper to get an unlimited data plan with teathering on your phone, that way you would only have one data plan.

-Jay

[Stonewall]

Great question, I am considering the 8330 myself as well. This would be my 1st smart phone device and am clueless in regards to tethering, data plans etc.

Who is the resident Verizon/BlackBerry expert, and what would you recommend if you planned on tethering with a BB device instead of getting a wifi card as well?

[Sfreeman6]

Tether rather than a aircard, is comparable to bungee jumping to suicide. Bungee jumping is the thrill of death...without the commitment!
If you have tether, sure you are paying 15.00 extra a month, but you have the versatility of beaing able to use it as voice and data. The only differ between the two devices is one of them , you talk and use as your voice device. The card, you are paying for the service, all 5 gig a month. Unless the cost is justified, i would highly suggest tether, rather than purchase an aircard.

[Delawaredave]

Originally Posted by Sfreeman6

Tether rather than a aircard, is comparable to bungee jumping to suicide. Bungee jumping is the thrill of death...without the commitment!
If you have tether, sure you are paying 15.00 extra a month, but you have the versatility of beaing able to use it as voice and data. The only differ between the two devices is one of them , you talk and use as your voice device. The card, you are paying for the service, all 5 gig a month. Unless the cost is justified, i would highly suggest tether, rather than purchase an aircard.

Sorry, but above doesn't make any sense to me......

I wasn't asking to compare the two - I was asking if one data plan could cover both computer and cell phone. My understanding is that can't be done.

I have to be able to be on the phone in the car when I use the internet with laptop -- so "tethering" will not work - you can't use phone when on internet - right ?

What does "all 5 gig a month" mean ? The aircard is unlimited, I think.

[Sfreeman6]

Sorry i misunderstood you..
You are right, you cant use both at the same time, and based off your needs, you will need to do both, Blackberry and a data card.
and as far as the 5 gig, well that is what now all data customers get, then after that 5 gig you are charged per byte. That change was effect about 45 days ago with VZW. Yes it used to be marketed as unlimited , but what would happen if users surpassed 5 gig a moth of data usage, they would get a nasty letter warning them that exceeding 5 gig of data was against the terms and conditions. The 3rd month in a row the user surpassed the 5 gig, VZW would terminate the service, with no etf.
Now all data plans are good for 5 gig, then they are charged per byte. I have heard of users who was charged 17 thousand dollars for the first bill with that kind of plan, Talking about marketing opening a "Pandora's Box" they did with the new data plans.

[Delawaredave]

Thanks for above. I'll double check if this aircard is unlimited or 5 gig - our interal company website with VZ corporate plan details says "unlimited" - but might be outdated info.

Is 5 gig limit "a lot" ? I'll just be using for a lot of lotus notes email replciations and internet surfing. Won't be doing any music or program or big file downloads.

Any place to measure / tell how much bandwith is consumed per hour for internet surfing and email ?

Thanks !

[Sfreeman6]

If you look in your VZ access manager, you will see one of the icons at the top, maybe usage (cant pull out the image of the icon on the top of my head) But there will be the best location to get an idea how much data you use, you may want to reset the data at the start of the billing cycle, to give you an accurate idea of the usage.