Amidst all of the top four phone carriers claiming 4G technology incorporated into their network with the fastest speeds, Verizon steps up to show everyone how its supposed to be done. When Verizon first unveiled their 4G LTE network, the only way to experience it was the way of USB modems. We were lucky enough to receive one to test out thanks of Verizon. We have been toying with the LG VL600 LTE USB modem for a few weeks now on a daily basis and have seen a glimpse of 4G is supposed to feel like. Let’s go deeper into our 4G LTE experience with Verizon’s USB modem.
4G Performance
 |
| SpeedTest with 4G LTE USB Modem |
With Sprint offering WiMAX and AT&T/T-Mobile offering HSPA+, Verizon offers a third option in the 4G carrier wars with LTE. LTE stands for Long-Term Evolution and Verizon’s use of this technology boasts download speeds of 5 to 12Mbps and upload speeds of 2 to 5Mbps. While testing out the 4G USB modem in different parts of Northeastern New Jersey, I surprisingly got great coverage at home. My place is a little weird with signals as me and my wife’s T-Mobile service flip-flops from EDGE to 3G and back most of the day. As you can see with the screenshot above, I got great speeds (20Mbps down & 4up Mbps on average) on my netbook with the LG USB modem.
 |
| SpeedTest with Verizon FiOS (15/5 package) |
To compare the LG USB modem with my home internet, it was still doing better. With my Verizon FiOS 15down/5up package I was getting 16Mbps down and 5Mbps up as you can see in the screenshot above. Comparing the two of course the USB modem was faster by 4Mbps on the download end of the deal. So a USB modem that’s faster than your home service and who wouldn’t want that, especially when the competition is getting maybe close to 10Mbps in only certain areas.
*Note: I took the best speeds of both services for this review*
TG 2 Cents
The LG VL600 is definitely a great and speedy device for those who need faster than broadband speeds on the go. Although there is free Wi-Fi damn near everywhere like your local Panera Bread, hotels, and even some McDonald’s. The real question is do you really need the speed on a constant basis like that? If you do and/or can afford it, the 4G LTE USB modem is definitely the way to go. The only real drawback is that you can set up the modem on one computer at a time as the software CD needs to be installed into the computer using the modem.
There are a total of three 4G USB modems VZW offers like the Verizon 4G 551L, the LG VL600, and the Pantech UML290 are priced at $99 w/ two-year contract and are $249.99 no strings attached. Monthly data pricing varies to your needs of data consumption; a 5GB plan for $50 monthly or a 10GB plan for $80 monthly. So you have options to consider when choosing which route you want to go as Verizon truly came out of the gate to show all of the carriers that LTE is the way to go when promoting 4G speeds.
Check VZW’s 4G coverage to see if their network is up and running in your area.
Check VZW’s 4G coverage to see if their network is up and running in your area.
Comments
