Mobile Broadband FAQs

Mobile Broadband provides high-speed internet access to data-only devices through the Verizon Wireless network. Use Mobile Broadband to access the internet through a computer, laptop, tablet or any other compatible data-only device, including a USB modem, Verizon Jetpack® and mobile hotspot.

You can choose from standard or prepaid data only plans currently available:

• Standard data only plan - Share data across your devices, and switch sizes at any time. Choose from a little data or a lot to suit your needs.
• Prepaid data only plans - These plans don't require a long-term contract. Choose a monthly high-speed data allowance to fit your needs. If you use all your high-speed data, you can stay online with 3 Mbps when on 5G Ultra Wideband and 600 Kbps when on 5G Nationwide / 4G LTE for the rest of the month.*

*Data experience will be impacted. 5G Ultra Wideband is only included with certain prepaid data only plans.

No, Mobile Broadband provides complete internet access and a separate internet service provider account isn't necessary.

Mobile Broadband service is currently available with:

• Tablets
• USB modems
• Verizon Jetpack®
• Mobile Hotspot

Yes, you can use any Mobile Broadband device that's been certified by Verizon Wireless as compatible with our network, including devices not purchased directly from Verizon Wireless.

If you didn't purchase your device from Verizon Wireless, please be aware that certification of a device for use on the Verizon Wireless network doesn't mean that Verizon Wireless has made any determination as to the function, call quality or other functionality provided by the device. The device provider is solely responsible for the representations of its product function, functionality, pricing and service agreements. Verizon Wireless does not in any way warrant that the certified device: (a) will operate or operate without error on the network (including the network of any other carrier accessed while roaming or otherwise), or with available Verizon Wireless branded products and services; (b) will operate without the need for periodic upgrades or modifications to the certified device; (c) will operate indefinitely on the network; (d) will not be subject to service disruptions or interruptions due to government regulation, system capacity, coverage limitations, radio signal interference or other anomalies; or (e) will not be adversely affected by network-related modifications, upgrades or similar activity. Also, you should contact the device provider from whom you purchased the device for questions about its operations and capabilities. Verizon Wireless representatives may not be able to troubleshoot operational difficulties encountered with devices not purchased from Verizon Wireless.

Yes, your VPN product should treat the Mobile Broadband data network exactly as it treats the internet. However, we recommend testing your specific VPN over the Mobile Broadband network before you deploy the service. Our national data sales team, in conjunction with system engineers and data solutions managers, works with customers and VPN providers to enable secure, wireless access to their VPN over our Mobile Broadband network. Your Verizon Wireless Customer Service Representative can provide additional information on VPN access over the Verizon Wireless networks. Verizon Wireless Data Sales Engineers are also available to meet with your corporate IT group to answer any questions and ensure a smooth implementation. For additional information, contact a sales rep.

Our Mobile Broadband devices come with a software installation CD that will help you set up the necessary drivers and software on your computer. After installation, there will be a few automated steps to activate the device, and then you'll be ready to start browsing.

Activate your Phone or Device

You'll need to add an additional mobile number to your account for the data devices. The data devices have their own mobile number and Device ID, just like a mobile phone.

The stronger the signal strength (found on the bottom-left corner of VZ Access Manager), the more likely it is you'll receive the highest speeds available on our network. If you're using Mobile Broadband inside a building, locate yourself close to a window or purchase an extended antenna for select devices. These solutions will provide the best speeds.

Yes, the data used by all the devices connected to your mobile hotspot device will count toward the data allowance for the hotspot device.

You can check your unbilled monthly data use for your Mobile Broadband device through:

• My Verizon - You can view the data usage for each line on your account through the My Verizon app or website:
  • Standard accounts – My Usage page
  • Prepaid accounts – Data usage section of your home screen
    
    Note: For business accounts, you can check usage in the My Verizon for Business app or My Business website.
• VZAccess® Manager - Click the Usage tab. Learn more about VZAccess Manager.
• Your Verizon mobile phone - Call #DATA (#3282) and follow the prompts to hear your usage.
  
  Note: You must have your Mobile Broadband device mobile number available to check usage.

Some of the apps or activities that may lead to high data usage are:

• Streaming videos or music
• Uploading and downloading photos or large files
• Apps that sync regularly or run in the background
• Apps that require a continuous internet connection
• Online games
  

Yes, we send text messages to your Mobile Broadband device, which you can view by selecting the Text Messaging tab in VZAccess Manager. These messages will appear when you have 50%, 25%, 10% and 0% of your monthly data allowance left.

However, until the beginning of your first full bill cycle for your Mobile Broadband service, there is a time lag of up to 8 hours between the end of a data session and the point at which your data usage for that session is applied to your account. Therefore, it's possible that you may exceed your usage allowance before receiving a text message.

If you want to set different thresholds and/or specify the phone numbers and email addresses where alerts will be sent, you can do this on the Usage Alerts page in My Verizon.

Note: If you have a business account, you can manage your alerts in My Business Account or Verizon Enterprise Center.

Yes, downloads for OS updates, antivirus and other software updates will count toward your data allowance. You may want to change your device settings so these updates won't automatically download until you approve them.

4G LTE Mobile Broadband is a type of high-speed internet access that lets you use data-only devices on our 4G LTE network. XLTE is of the next advancement of our 4G LTE network. It doubles our 4G LTE bandwidth in cities nationwide. For more information about XLTE and 4G LTE, visit Our Network page.

Refer to our coverage map to see where 4G LTE service is available.

4G LTE Mobile Broadband is available in cities and towns across the US. To see current availability in your area, check the coverage map.

Additionally, our 4G LTE devices provide connectivity to our existing 3G network, available in thousands of cities and towns across the US.

4G LTE Mobile Broadband service currently supports:

• Windows®
  • 8.1
  • 8
  • 7
  • XP®
  • Vista®

• Mac® OSX
  • 10.9
  • 10.8
  • 10.7
  • 10.6
  • 10.5
  • 10.4.7

Plus, we're always working to add new operating systems that support Mobile Broadband. For the latest information, please visit our VZAccess Manager website.

Yes, our 4G LTE devices are compatible with our 3G network. So even if you travel to an area without 4G LTE coverage, you may still be able to access the Internet through our 3G network.

With Mobile Broadband Built-in, your laptop, tablet or IoT device includes all of the necessary hardware and software required to connect to our network, allowing you to be more efficient on-the-go with minimal hassle. You don't need to carry around a card, hotspot or some other device to connect to our network.

To see if your device has Mobile Broadband built-in, visit our Bring Your Own Device page. Choose whether you are a Verizon customer, then enter the requested information.

To connect your laptop or tablet to our network:

1. Make sure you have a Verizon Wireless SIM card inserted in your laptop or tablet. If you're not sure the SIM card is inserted in your device, you can find instructions for inserting your device's SIM card by referring to your device's User Guide.
2. If you didn't set up service when you purchased your device, you can do so from your laptop or tablet:
   1. Disconnect from any Wi-Fi connections.
   2. Connect to the Verizon 4G LTE Network using your device's network settings. Refer to your device's User Guide for help with this.
   3. Open your internet browser and navigate to vzw.com/certifieddevice. You'll automatically be taken to the account activation page to set up service.

You've successfully completed the steps to connect your device to our network.

Note: You may need to complete further steps to connect your device to our network. Refer to your device's User Guide for help.

On some models of netbooks purchased from Verizon Wireless, make sure that the power switch (if any) for the embedded wireless card is in the "on" position. You'll also need to launch VZAccess Manager on your netbook.

If you purchased your netbook elsewhere, be sure to check the power switch for the embedded wireless card (if any). Please be advised, some netbook vendors use connection manager software other than VZAccess Manager. If you purchased your netbook elsewhere, please refer to vendor activation instructions.

Some ISPs (Internet Service Providers) require their customers to authenticate before sending email from other networks, such as our network. Please contact your email service provider for assistance in configuring your mail client.

There are several possible resolutions.

There are several possible resolutions.

There are several possible resolutions.

These errors are usually caused by a data provisioning issue. Click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives if you encounter either of these error messages when trying to connect.