NetZero to launch free wireless service

[webmaster]

United Online Inc. announced Monday that it will offer free wireless Internet service under its NetZero brand, the one that started the free dial-up phenomenon in 1998. The company is backing up the plan with TV, print and online advertisements.

There are plenty of catches with the free plan. United Online isn't offsetting its costs by making users look at advertising, as it did with its original offer of free dial-up Internet access. The "free" users will be money-losers for the company, United Online Chairman and CEO Mark Goldston said. That means United Online is using the free plan as a way to lure customers with the hope of upselling them to paying plans, which start at $9.95 per month.

To take advantage of the offer, consumers will need to buy a $50 antenna stick that plugs into a laptop, or a $100 "mobile hotspot" that allows any Wi-Fi equipped device to connect to the Internet. United Online will be selling the devices on the NetZero website.

The free accounts are limited to 200 megabytes of data per month— enough for some e-mail and Web surfing, but little else. Half an hour of full-screen streamed video will eat up the whole month's allotment. By comparison, AT&T's cheapest wireless data plan costs $14.95 per month for slightly more data — 250 megabytes per month — but that plan is only available for tablets with built-in cellular modems.


 http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/20...53648578/1 
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[webmaster]

It looks like it's already available:

 http://www.netzero.net/ 
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[curious john]

Only offered in high population areas. Areas that most likely already have a plethora of free wifi hotspots. So whats the point?

[pruneface]

Access to the Free plan expires twelve (12) months from the date of initial registration and may not be renewed

[plodr]

Quote:

The free accounts are limited to 200 megabytes of data per month— enough for some e-mail and Web surfing, but little else.

Once you download and install the monthly windows patches and the updates to your av and malware detecting program, I'll bet a huge chuck of that 200MB is gone. I don't think NetZero has really thought this idea through. IMHO, paying $50 for a device for such limited service is a waste of $50.

Actually, a better plan is to buy a laptop/notebook and sit in a McDonald's and use the free wireless. This is faster than 3G speeds and doesn't have a limit on the amount of data downloaded.
If you don't have a McDonald's within a reasonable driving distance, there might be a library closer with broadband.

[EasyE]

Obviously, this service is not designed to be your primary internet connection. Instead, it is for users who are not at home, work, or near wi-fi. So while it may not be ideal for everybody, it might be useful for some. For instance, maybe all they need is a couple of minutes at a time to check email or do something on their laptop that requires a connection. By the way, Netzero does not actually own their network of towers. They are using Clearwire which does not have the best coverage.

[plodr]

80 cities Here is a review
 http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/19/netzero...-hands-on/ 

[xtgold]

unless they had a webpage with zero graphics to log in and read/send email,that 200meg would get chewed up fast.
I tried McD wifi once,out in the parking lot before ordering,I went in to order got my meal and got back to the car and it still didn't connect.

[Boz]

xtgold, with McD, BK, motels, and other free WiFi, you usually/sometimes need to open a web browser to accept the terms of use before the WiFi connection becomes usable. I've noticed that occasionally different browsers don't display this acceptance page. On my old WinMo phone, I always had to open IE in order to receive the terms of use acceptance page. If I started with Opera Mini, the page would never display, and I would never get a usable connection. Since I switched to an Android phone, it varies, but between the stock browser, Opera Mini, and Maxthon, I have been able to receive the acceptance page.
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[plodr]

I connected at McDonalds with two different netbooks running Win 7 and linux in October 2011 quite a few different days.
I connected at Panera with one of the netbooks but had trouble with the other. (I don't remember which of the two gave me the problem). When I had trouble, we moved across the road to McDonalds and I connected with no problem. On both I run FF, not IE and that's how I connected.
I also connect with both to free wifi at a supermarket in a town where my mom lives. There I do have to wait and agree to the terms of service each time before I can connect.

I have NEVER used a cellular network, as the NetZero will be, so I can't comment on that type of connection.

[xtgold]

Boz wrote:

xtgold, with McD, BK, motels, and other free WiFi, you usually/sometimes need to open a web browser to accept the terms of use before the WiFi connection becomes usable. I've noticed that occasionally different browsers don't display this acceptance page. On my old WinMo phone, I always had to open IE in order to receive the terms of use acceptance page. If I started with Opera Mini, the page would never display, and I would never get a usable connection. Since I switched to an Android phone, it varies, but between the stock browser, Opera Mini, and Maxthon, I have been able to receive the acceptance page.

never even make it that far.Just said loading webpage or something.Maybe you have to be in the building itself.

[plodr]

You don't have to be in the building, unless the signal is weak. At the supermarket, I usually surf from the car.
When you fire up the wireless, are you sure you are trying to access the proper wifi signal? Sometimes there are 4 or 5 to choose from.

[xtgold]

I think they keep the signal weak on purpose,it's like similar wifi connections that are only 1MBs.People would park in the parking lot and leech all day.
There is a high school right next door,so you know the kiddies would be leeching if the signal was strong.

[Boz]

xtgold wrote:

never even make it that far.Just said loading webpage or something.Maybe you have to be in the building itself.

I know you don't need to be in the buildings in most cases. I'm sure my phones don't have as much WiFi range as laptops or possibly even netbooks, but I've surfed from the car at multiple McDs BKs, and motels. How may different locations have you tried?
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[blsJason]

EasyE wrote:

They are using Clearwire which does not have the best coverage.

Thank you EasyE for answering the question I was about to look up!
I would never recommend Clearwire to anyone after my experience with them several years ago, and I'm not the only one with that sort of problem with them.
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Don't buy Clearwire!

[xtgold]

I was able to connect at McD's today,they must have goosed their signal.4 bars out in the parking lot with my asus netbook.
Like previously mentioned you have to scroll down the initial page to the agreement then you can cruise the net.The connection was called attwireless so I had to guess at it,there were more than 1 unsecured in the area.

[Guh]

plodr wrote:

You don't have to be in the building, unless the signal is weak. At the supermarket, I usually surf from the car. When you fire up the wireless, are you sure you are trying to access the proper wifi signal? Sometimes there are 4 or 5 to choose from.

Which Supermarket? I wouldn't mind trying it if I was near one. Course, I'd have to buy a laptop first....
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Well, Guh!

[plodr]

Giant in MD, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, and WV. Not all stores offer free wifi.