Question 1

Are you required to purchase a paid plan in order to get the free 500  MB of data?   I have seen offers in which you get 500 MB free, but you have to pay for another 500MB.  You get 1000MB, but you actually have to pay for 500 fo those.  Is that (or something similar to that) how this works?

Accepted Answer

The 500MB is free.  However, there are a few gotchas.

First, go to the freedompop website and make sure Sprint LTE is available where you live.

When you receive the modem from Newegg you'll have to go to the Freedompop website to activate the modem. You'll be asked to give a credit card number and you'll be signed up for their "100% risk free trial" of a premium service.  REMEMBER TO CANCEL THAT SERVICE BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH or you'll be billed for it.

Also, go to your billing settings and make sure automatic topup is NOT enabled.  That way your data will be cut off and you won't be conveniently billed if you go over.

There is also freedom friends where you get an extra 50MB for each friend, up to 10, that you connect to.  If you search for freedom friends lists they are all over the internet and you can gain an extra 500MB/month, for a total of 1GB/month free.  This extra 500MB is recurring every month as long as all your freedom friends are still active.

Question 2

how does this replace my internet service from ATT?

Accepted Answer

This device will allow your laptop to access the internet using 4G LTE speeds, up to 500Mbs a month for free. If you need to replace your home service, you'll probably want a hotspot device so you can connect multiple PCs / TVs / iPads etc. However, you'll probably want to sign up for a data plan, since you'll likely use a lot more than 500Mbs. The average home uses something around 10Gbs a month.

Question 3

How do I activate this on an existing Freedompop account?

Accepted Answer

Typically you can only have one device paired to one email address with Freedompop. If you plan to replace a device, say an old WiMax device with this USB Modem, you will have to contact a Freedompop moderator. Freedompop Forums and Slickdeals have been the best way of contacting someone to help you in my experience.

Question 4

Does this device work with with Windows 8?

Accepted Answer

Yes - It works with windows 8 and the upcoming windows 10 ( i have tried in the current tech preview build of windows 10)

Question 5

Does this work with spark or tri band ?

Accepted Answer

It's not spark, but technically it is tri-band, as it supports WiMax while the connection still works.  (Sprint is turning that off in Nov.)

Question 6

Is this feasible to use if I just check email and check bank accts when away from my home internet ? What about Skype ?

Accepted Answer

If you are in an area with a strong Sprint LTE area then this device on the free 500MB plan should do a good job for you.  I have this device and I live in a "fair" signal strength area and this unit has a hard time connecting to a signal.  If you upgrade to the pro plan which also includes 3G Sprint connection this unit will get you connected.

If you are looking at the free plan only the Mifi 500 or the 803s will do a better job of connecting to a "fair" Sprint LTE signal.

Questions & Answers