[Corey]

I called Liberty today and talked to Leesa about the change in invoice verbage. She said that the change in the invoice letters had to do with some customers that are exceeding the 10gb limit by very large amounts. It sounds like Liberty has been hit with several thousands of dollars of overages, including Canadian roaming charges.

She went on to say that it is the Netflix type streaming video users who are the problem, and that normal web browsing will not exceed the 10gb monthly limit.

I asked her how we would know if we were close, or over our allowance, since we never get any info about usage. She indicated that “they” can get it off of Verizon’s web site. She indicated that I should be ok since we don’t stream video. She repeated that the streaming video people were the problem.

I guess it is still an issue with me. I could wind up getting a bill for some unknown amount of overage charges without ever knowing about it until I got a bill. There has to be some way for them to inform us ahead of time if we are getting close.

I for one, do not want to loose the static ip address that makes remote access to the coach viable. It is very handy for me to check on it remotely, and also Liberty or Jeff & Andrew can do updates or changes that way. It is a benefit for the owner as well as Liberty and Jeff to have this available to them.

I guess the next call will be to Frank to see if he has been able to get anything setup to get us the information prior to having issues.

[Jim/Chris]

There has to be a way that the individuals using the plan can monitor useage. It seems silly that everyone would have to fly blind.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/support/tools-for-monitoring-usage/

[Chas]

If the account was in our own names, it would not be an issue. Problem is that it is all going through Liberty, and as such, we do not have individual access to those tools. I am sure that Liberty can and does look at that information. Now there just needs to be something setup to get that info out to us, the Liberty customers.

[Chas]

and there is the problem. Nothing bad about liberty, but they are not a technology company. They need to talk to Verizon and get tools to provide that data.O May cost $$ but I am sure Verizon has the ability to provide their customers with this information.

it may mean that liberty pay a consulting company to take the dats output from Verizon and feed it to a customer portal so their customers have access to tht data. This isn’t rocket science. It’s just going cost something to implement.

[Archived]

Actually I think the problem is the opportunity to connect to the internet for “free” was not well thought out and there are two sides to the issue as a result. I believe Liberty made a good faith offer for unlimited internet access and usage and did not realize at the time that that offer could end up as an issue. Liberty owners with that access accepted that offer based on their understanding it was unlimited.

I am sure as the number of owners with that feature increased along with the opportunities to use that feature including the large blocks of data required to download movies and the problem became highly visible. Now Liberety and Liberty owners have to come to an understanding regarding the limits because it sounds like there are limits and they are defined. In establishing the limits the fly in the ointment is a user does not have access to a meter or a value that shows how much data has been used.

Maybe the solution is as easy as forbidding Netflix or similar downloads. One thing is for sure, someone is going to have to pay for any system or device or notification of data usage and I’d be willing to bet neither the Liberty owners or Liberty are willing to do that.

[Archived]

Jon,

From the discussion here, it sounds like liberty owners and users of the “unlimited data” package are over the fact that it’s not really unlimited and will be charged for overages based on their individual usage. Now the discussion has turned to indiviuals users wanting to a way to know how much they are using so they can manage that and control their potential overages.

I am sure Verizon provides this data to the plan owner (just like an individual plan owner, I can access that information). So the question is really how can Liberty take the data that Verizon provides them and get that information out to the Liberty users? Well that will cost money. Verizon may already have an option they offer or Liberty can go hire a consultant to pull that information off Liberties Verizon account page (daily would be a good option), and report that to the individual users in a Liberty Customer webpage (or email sent to the users).

This is really not a complex problem and can be batched to happen on a scheduled bases however it needs to be.

And yes, blocking domains such as NetFlix, HBOGO, Amazon Video on demand, etc.. would be a good way to reduce possible overages, but that wont make it a 100% sure thing. So why not make it so people know what they are using before they go over?

[Deleted User]

I understand the current problem, but the origin is calling usage unlimited. That has to be changed. Then once that is changed some means that all can agree on has to be in place regarding usage.

Theoretically there is a huge block of data available. Theoretically when divided among potential users each can enjoy “unlimited” usage because it is presumed if the total amount available annually is XXXX of data, each user can use XX annually. The assumption is each user is going to eat up a lot of their share when they travel, and the rest of the time the unused portion is available to others. Where the whole problem arises is when the bulk of the users are using data at the same time.

I get it that the data usage is available to Liberty, but there is a cost associated with timely notice to owners of their usage. A bulk report of usage is likely the easiest way for Liberty to pass the information along, but the problem is maintaining confidentiality. I don’t think the owners are going to want their data usage information provided to other users so there is going to be a cost to monitor usage and provide individual users with timely reporting.

[Randall]

If each individual user has a unique sign-on/password to access the system, then Verizon should be able to provide usage data to the respective users.

Or do all the users on the Liberty plan have the same sign-on/password? If they do, that could be problematic.

I do recall reading that one of the users liked having a static IP address which leads me to believe that that each user has a unique IP address for which Verizon should be able to provide usage data to.

[Archived]

John,

Your always in the know about any issue on the fourm!! I always read your relpies for insight. As a new Liberty (since march of 2016) I choose to get my own verizon static IP simm card. Liberty was very helpful with the setup. I have the same remote access to the coach functions as other Liberty owners. I was also informed there program was NOT UNLIMITED. The $80@ month really only pays for 10gb of wireless data. One thing to bear in mind Verizon charges alot more data per for the static ip simm card connections. The verizon data on a smart phone hot spot or MiFi / Jetpack is much less expensive. I had Elite Coach add an additional antenna. The Panaromma Antenna picks up WiFi singals. So I can login into the CradlePoint Router and use it the WiFi as WAN mode and save data. You can also add an AT&T simm card. I don’t have an first hand experience with AT&T. Thanks for this fourm!!!

[Tim]

This should in no way be interpreted as ill will towards Randall. I’m just trying to determine where Jon is on the technology spectrum at this point in time.

Jon: Did you understand any of what what Randall posted? And if so, how much?

[Andre]

Bottom line: Randal has opted out of paying $80 per month and is providing his own access to data, and can use his access as the IP address so if needed Liberty can communicate with his coach if needed, and so Randal can access the internet for less money.

Randal, did I get it right?

BTW, I use the Jetpack for my MiFi and doing my PC work for a week I use about 1.5GB.

[Chris]

if there is a way to get what is needed to manage your coach without being tied to someone else’s browsing habits, that’s the best option. Karl, get off Netflix! 😉 of course not needing the internet to run your coach has its benefits 🙂

[Dick]

We have several air cards that have static IP addresses. The charge is $20 per month for the static IP and the data charges are the same. We use AT&T. Does Verizon really charge more for static IP data? Seems like a good reason to move to AT&T.

[Brett]

Randall did it right by having his own data plan and still be able to use the Liberty remote connection for his Coach. I think Liberty had good intentiions starting the cell program, but didn’t realize the impact of streaming.

Jetpack with Verizon is the replacement device for the older MiFi.

[John]

You guys are too funny!! I don’t John or why he gets picked on for having a flip phone. The WSJ had an article in the last month about Millennial’s turning in their smart phones for flip phone. Because there they felt as if they were spending too much time in the virtual world and missing out on the real world!! John maybe beyond the cutting edge!! He could be on the bleeding edge!!! Just saying!!