Verizon Wireless Pantech UML290 LTE Wireless 4G Modem a piece of crap! Fort Worth, Texas
I now live in a rural area where my only connection to the internet is by wireless service. I had a 3G wireless modem from Verizon that never once caused a bit of trouble. In December my wife visited a Verizon store in Phoenix to upgrade her phone and while there the sales reps talked her into the new 4G Pantech LTE USB modem, model UML290. I have had nothing but problems ever since it arrived.
The first session with the new modem was the longest I was ever able to connect, about 4 hours. The the modem started disconnecting itself at random intervals. Sometimes the software would respond as if I had hit the disconnect button and other times it would respond as if someone had physically removed the modem from the USB port. Often the modem would not connect with the internet at all.
I am about 75 miles north of Phoenix and there is no 4G service where I live. I get a good 3G signal, however, as the cell phone tower is about 2 miles from me in a direct line of sight.
I returned the modem to a large Verizon store in Phoenix with the hope of getting some technical assistance. Not only did they not have any sort of diagnostic tools, they did not even have a PC in the store with the operating software installed. They could not even demo the unit!
Then I called customer support and got the usual run-around that it must be something wrong with my PC. I had to go through the drill of answering inane questions such as, "Is your computer plugged in?" "Try uninstalling the software and then reinstalling it."
I kept a detailed log of what time I connected, how long I was able to work, and why the session ended. Sometimes I disconnected when I was done, but most of the time the modem or the software disconnected me when I did not want to.
After nearly a month of frustration I returned to a different Verizon store in Phoenix in a rather unpleasant mood. Fortunately, I found a sympathetic ear who immediately ordered a replacement unit that arrived at my home less than 24 hours later.
The new unit worked great. For a day. Now I am back to the old guessing game as to how long my modem will stay connected. The replacement unit is just as bad as the first modem.
My advice to anyone looking for a wireless modem is to stay away from the Pantech UML290.
I plan to go back to the Verizon store, return the 4G modem, and reinstate my old 3G modem.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
mr. rik
miami,Florida,
United States of America
Ha, I had the OPPOSITE problem
#3Consumer Suggestion
Tue, March 29, 2011
I ordered a netbook from verizon that when I finally got it to connect, refused to DISCONNECT from their service. I could be on my wifi AND their network at the same time. After several calls to the same flunkies in the tech department, and a bunch of software uninstall/installs, the problem appeared to have been corrected. I told them to make a note of all this so I wouldnt be charged overages. Couple days later it started all over again. NO SATISFACTION.
Of course when I get my bill Im charged overages. Called to complain and the rep told me her computer from vz did the same thing, just some kindof glitch. Offered $10 credit-YEAH RIGHT.
I stopped my service with verizon net AND voice. Thanks for the free computer dumbasses.
Larry
Phoenix,Arizona,
U.S.A.
Update
#3Author of original report
Mon, March 28, 2011
I found that the Pantech modem worked slightly better if it was unplugged from the USB port when not in use, leading me to believe the problem is that the modem overheats. Even so, the modem was unsatisfactory and I am going to return it to Verizon.
The area that I live in is not served by cable or DSL and I thought my only other option would be satellite, about which I have yet to hear something positive. Then I found out that there was a whole different technology available in my area using some sort of Motorola-made hardware and software. For about the same monthly price, I now have a wireless device with speeds equal to cable. The only drawback is that the coverage area is limited right now and the modem is not portable.