Verizon Wireless Network Extender: A $250 rip-off

So, you’re a new Verizon Wireless customer – a rookie member of their much-touted “most-reliable” wireless network.  You’ve seen the commercials where the lead singer of Weezer (not really) is in the middle of the forest/driving through a tunnel/bull-riding or what have you – all while talking on a phone with perfect reception.  You’re ready to live that dream – a life with fantastic cell phone coverage and no dead zones.

And then you get home.  No signal.  Now what?

If you’re willing to shell out $250, Verizon is willing to sell you a solution to their problem.  The Wireless Network Extender connects to your broadband internet connection and acts as a mini cell phone tower, creating wireless coverage where it otherwise wouldn’t exist.

Now let’s go back through what I just said one more time, but this time I’ll insert the appropriate amount of snark.  If Verizon isn’t able to provide you with the wireless coverage you’re already paying for, they’ll be more than happy to sell you a device that piggybacks on another service you’re already paying for – your broadband internet access.  Your cell phone essentially becomes a VOIP handset and your calls become more like SkypeIn/SkypeOut than traditional cell phone calls.

Are your calls any cheaper using this device?  Nope.  When your internet connection goes down, will you still have cell phone coverage?  Nope.  Will massive amounts of network traffic have an effect on your calls?  If the device behaves like a VOIP router, you bet.  Skype offers you similar functionality at $0.021 per minute.  A $40 Verizon plan for 450 minutes works out to about $ 0.088 per minute.  And an added bonus with Skype?  They don’t charge you $250 to make it work.  Verizon – this thing is a huge rip-off.

If you are horribly desperate to get cell phone coverage and absolutely refuse to make calls using VOIP, I suppose the Network Extender could be a handy device for you.  It should be soon.  If you’re not into throwing money away, however, look into Skype.

[via Jewkey]

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