Carriers all around are well known for pinching every last dime out of their users' pockets for every little thing they can find. Verizon Wireless is notorious for being one of the most expensive wireless service providers to be with here in the States, and AT&T is another target for the onslaught of hate-filled comments about the prices of their service, but we'll stick to Big Red for now.
Verizon touts and boasts about having the largest wireless network in America with the largest coverage area. However, they can't cover every square inch of the United States, so for those of you that have been left in a Verizon dead zone, never fear, the Verizon Wireless 3G Network Extender has just been released. This model replaces the non-3G version, but at a steep cost of $249.99. The problem with this, they're expecting someone who can't get a decent signal in their home to pay them an additional $250 on top of what they're already paying them to increase the signal at home. If the price of the device were somewhere in the range of $75-$100, I could see where it would be effective, and free would be even better. I understand that Verizon just can't go around handing out freebies to everyone, but I'm sure something could be done about the price.
I have been with Verizon ever since they bought Alltel, and to be honest, I'm very pleased with their service. It's very rare that my signal drops below two bars nearly anywhere I ever go, and I always seem to have 3G nearly everywhere. But the pricing can get out of hand. Another problem with this network extender is the fact that the market is pushing everyone towards smartphones, which come with Wi-Fi. This pretty much makes the device useless except for making voice calls. On Verizon, customers don't have the luxury of UMA or anything, but if you're using Android, the Gingerbread rumors are pointing to Google Voice calls over Wi-Fi. With that being said, there are ways around having to purchase this device, even if you aren't using an Android device. This just seems like something else that Verizon has found they can charge for, at least it doesn't have another monthly fee or contract attached. What do you guys and gals think? Is $250 just too much? Should customers have to pay for something like this, or should it be provided for them?
