Temp/No-Contract Options

What Options Are Available for Temporary/Short-Term/Occasional Internet Access?

3Gstore has been helping all kinds of customers with their mobile broadband needs for years, and we understand that different users have different needs. Many of our customers turn to mobile broadband because they need mobile internet access (or an alternative to dial-up or satellite) all the time, but we also understand that some customers only need the mobile broadband access for temporary or infrequent use. Folks who have cable/DSL internet access at home and only need mobile broadband a few times a year when they travel, or for a special event, or for backup/emergency usage understandably don't want to sign a 2-year contract with a mobile broadband provider... but they aren't sure what other options are available to them! Whether you need internet access for one weekend or simply don't use it enough to justify a 2-year contract, 3Gstore has options available to get you connected (and save you money)!

DataJack’s service allows customers to utilize a nationwide 3G mobile broadband network, with no contract, activation fees, or cancellation fees... and you can choose from 4 service plan options to fit your data needs!

How it works: you purchase the Datajack modem and your first month of service (choose from 200MB for $9.99/mo, 500MB for $19.99/mo, 1GB for $29.99/mo, or 5GB for $49.99/mo). 3Gstore will activate the service for you (you can choose whether you want us to activate it before we ship or if you prefer to wait until you receive it) - after your first month is up, you can then choose to pay for another month, set up recurring billing, or simply let the service stop until the next time you need it. No credit check or personal information is required, and you can cancel any time.

• No contract, no credit check, no activation fee
• Save money!
• Avoid getting locked into a 3G contract when 4G may be coming to your area soon
• Vacations
• Business travel
• Backup usage

• No contract
• Choose the amount of data you need
• No credit check - all you need to get set up is your name, address, and credit card info!
• No activation fee - Verizon and Sprint charge an activation fee to set up your service.
• No cancellation fee - since there’s no contract, you can cancel any time without paying an early termination fee!
• No taxes for MOST customers (customers in Illinois may be subject to sales tax on the initial purchase; customers in Texas may be subject to sales tax on the monthly service)

• 3G only

Interested in DataJack mobile broadband service? If you are interested in DataJack, the first step is check coverage in the area you plan to use the service. You can then order the modem and service! For more details, check out the DataJack FAQ.

3Gstore's rental service allows you to rent an activated 3G (Verizon/Sprint) or 3G/4G (Sprint) modem on a daily or weekly basis. This option is great for vacations, work events or even testing Verizon or Sprint service before committing to a contract.

What are the costs of renting from 3Gstore? The fee for renting a 3G or 3G/4G modem is $30/day or $175/week. If you need to share the connection with multiple computers/devices, Cradlepoint routers are available for $15/day or $100/week; we also offer Booster Antennas for an additional $5/day or $15/week if you are concerned about signal issues (available for 3G modems only). You pay for FedEx one way (either 2nd day or overnight, depending on the timing of your order); we pay for return shipping when your rental is complete! When renting 3G or 3G/4G aircards from 3Gstore, internet access is included in the price. 4G usage is unlimited, and 3G usage is unlimited within reason (if you are planning to use your rental equipment for high-bandwidth activity [video streaming, etc], please discuss your needs with us; excessive 3G use during a rental may result in overage charges).

• Try before you buy - test coverage and performance before committing to a 2-year contract
• Trade shows/conventions
• Vacation usage
• Business travel
• Temporary internet access while switching service providers

• No contract or credit check
• No monthly bill - just pay for the days you need it and send it back
• Antennas and routers also available - you can rent a complete solution (not just the aircard!)
• EASY - 3Gstore activates and tests your rental equipment before shipping so it's "plug and play"; we also include a pre-paid label for returning it to us when you're done!

• Cost - while our rental rates are very reasonable, long-term use would add up
• Flexibility - you need to plan ahead to make sure 3Gstore has equipment available when you need it and to make sure you order in time for your rental needs.

Interested in 3Gstore's mobile broadband rental service? If you are interested in mobile broadband rental, the first step is check coverage in the area you plan to use the service (if there is no signal in the area, the modem will not work for you). Then fill out the form at our Contact Us page; include the start and end dates of your prospective rental and note 'Rental' in the 'subject' field. We will respond with our availability and you'll be on the road with Internet access in no time!

Pre-Paid (AKA Pay-as-you-Go) Mobile Broadband requires NO contract, NO credit checks, and NO deposits and is the ideal solution for folks needing only occasional mobile broadband access, a backup internet plan, temporary access for a conference or tradeshow, infrequent travelers, and anyone simply wanting to avoid a credit check and contract. However, you must purchase a modem outright - unlike with a 2-year contract, where the carriers will give you an aircard at a super-discounted price.

What are the costs of pay-as-you-go service? For Verizon's pre-paid service, you may use any Verizon modem that isn't currently in use on another line of service. Brand new modems purchased directly from Verizon cost $200-$300, but 3Gstore has a variety of No-Contract Verizon modems that are perfect for use with one of Verizon's no-contract service options:

In addition to the modem, you will also need to pay for the service. Verizon's pre-paid service is available in increments of 100MB ($15, lasts for 1 day), 300MB ($30, expires after 7 days), 1GB ($50, expires after 30 days), or 5GB ($80, expires after 30 days).

Why use pay-as-you-go mobile broadband service?

• If you have cable or DSL at home and only need mobile broadband occasionally, now you can stay connected while on the road and not have to pay for the service while you're at home!
• Business trips, conferences, trade shows
• Backup in case your primary internet connection goes down
• Temporary/short-term internet access
• RV-ers who use campground WiFi - when campground WiFi is unavailable or unreliable, you'll have a backup ready
• Canadian travelers who want to stay connected on their trips to the US

Advantages of pay-as-you-go mobile broadband service:

• No credit checks and no deposits
• No contract
• No monthly fees
• Flexibility - since you own the modem, you can have it available as a backup and simply activate the pre-paid service or add more data when you need it
• Easy to activate or add more data on the phone or online

Drawbacks to pay-as-you-go mobile broadband service:

• Relatively high start-up cost, since you must purchase the modem.
• Pay more for the data
• Pre-Paid data must be used in a certain amount of time after activating - if you don't use it, you lose it.
• 3G only - there is no pre-paid 4G option available yet

Interested in Verizon's pre-paid service? The first step is check coverage in the area you plan to use the service to make sure coverage is available where you need it. You may order a no-contract modem and then simply contact Verizon to activate.

Unlike other carriers, Verizon does not require a two-year contract to use their 3G mobile broadband service - they also allow customers to go month-to-month on the exact same plans they offer 2-year contract customers (you can choose either the $59.99/mo 5GB plan or the $39.99/mo 250MB plan). However, you must purchase a modem outright or own your own Verizon modem - unlike with a 2-year contract, where the carriers will give you an aircard at a super-discounted price. (Note: Verizon also has a pre-paid option, which is different than their month-to-month service. Click the "pre-paid" tab to read more about that option.)

What are the costs of going month-to-month with Verizon? In order go month-to-month with Verizon, you must purchase your own modem/aircard outright. Brand new modems purchased directly from Verizon cost $200-$300, but 3Gstore has a variety of no-contract Verizon modems that are perfect for use with Verizon's month-to-month service:

In addition to the modem, you will also need to pay for the service. Verizon's month-to-month service costs the same as their 2-year contract service: $59.99/month for 5GB of usage or $39.99/month for 250MB of usage, plus a $35 activation fee.

Advantages of Verizon's month-to-month service:

• No 2-year contract, so no penalty for canceling.
• Flexibility - since you own the modem, you can have it available as a backup and simply activate it when you need it
• Month-to-Month service is exactly the same as the 2-year contract ($59.99/month for 5GB of access or $39.99/month for 250MB of usage), just without a contract
• Just like 2-year contract customers, when you're signed up for Verizon's month-to-month service you also get access to Verizon's network of free WiFi hotspots
• 3Gstore's Verizon partner can get you set up (no need to deal directly with Verizon)

Drawbacks to Verizon's month-to-month service:

• Relatively high start-up cost (since you have to buy the modem outright)
• Requires a $35 activation fee, and if you turn off the service, you'll have to pay it again next time you activate
• Month-to-month service still requires a credit check, just like a 2-year contract.

Interested in Verizon's month-to-month service? The first step is to check coverage in the area you plan to use the service. You can order a no-contract modem and then call Verizon to activate service.

Rental, pay-as-you-go, or month-to-month service is great for folks who don't need mobile broadband service very often, but if you need mobile broadband service more often, signing a 2-year contract may be a good idea - even if you don't need the service all the time. Both Verizon and Sprint allow their customers to put their service on hold for a period of time so that you don't have to pay the $59.99 monthly fee while you're not using the service! This is perfect for folks who need the service fairly often, but want to save some money during the months that they don't need it (for example, an RVer who uses mobile broadband on the road most of the time but doesn't need it two months that they are at home in the winter). Both Sprint and Verizon allow customers to put their accounts "on hold" for up to a total of 6 months a year.

What are the costs of putting your Sprint or Verizon 2-year contract on hold? Verizon charges a $15 fee to put your contract on hold (and while your service is on hold, you don't pay anything); there is no fee to turn it back on. Sprint doesn't charge a fee to put your service on hold, but instead charges $8.99/month while the service is suspended (instead of your regular monthly fee).

• Because you're signing a 2-year contract, the device itself will be cheap or even free
• Save money when you don't need the service
• When you sign up for a 2-year Sprint or Verizon contract through 3Gstore, you can get $20 off any antenna, router, or amplifier.

• If you need service VERY infrequently, a 2-year contract is likely still not going to be worth it for you, even with standby mode as an option.
• Time spent on standby does not count towards your contract.
• Requires a credit check (all 2-year contracts do)

Interested in signing up for Sprint or Verizon service with a 2-year contract? The first step is to check coverage in the area you plan to use the service to determine which carrier is best for you. You can then select a modem and order online: Sprint 3G and 3G/4G devices --- Verizon 3G and 3G/4G devices