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Review by songsearch 
UPDATED: 33 days ago
member for 246 days, 8 visits, last login: 30 days ago
 Angelus Oaks,San Bernardino,CA
 $70 per month (month by month)
 about 4 days
 "They send the modem within a couple of days?"
 "Deceptive marketing, no call back from tech support, poor connectivity"
 "Not happy, should have stuck with Sprint"
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Had Hughesnet dish, ditched because of bandwidth cap, moved to Sprint, ditched because of bandwidth cap. Moved to Millenicom because it was advertised as 'unlimited' bandwidth. Guess what? They have a bandwidth cap. Have no other good options at this point (no DSL or cable out here). Millenicom is using the old 'carrot and stick' to force me into paying more for a higher priced and supposedly 'unlimited' account through throttling, and emails threatening to close my account for excessive usage, which is untrue. Unless and until these problems are resolved, I can't recommend that anyone sign up with this company.
Update 10/16/09
Took the plunge into the 'unlimited' account about a month ago. So far, the only 'unlimited' part of this deal is the problems. Sproradic broadband from the the get-go, sometimes no EVDO for hours. Today, no connection at all until 8PM, and it's pitiful slow, likely from a tower far away. I spent a couple of hours on the phone to tech support earlier today, who finally gave up and referred me to Sprint tech support. They passed me around to three different people who couldn't figure out who I was, and wanted to know why I was trying to get tech support on an account without my name on it. Apparently Millenicom's fictitious business name with Sprint is something like Celestial Seasonings or somesuch crapname, and guess what, I don't know their first pet's name so I couldn't pass the security check. No help there whatsoever.
One other note: the Franklin modem disables the other USB ports on my laptop whenever it's in use, so I can't use external drives when online. This happens on two separate machines, so it's not a machine-specific problem. Millenicom tech support has no help here either.
Update 10/26/09
The Franklin modem crapped out completely right after my last update, and a Sprint tech declared it dead. New (well, another) Franklin replacement modem finally arrived 10/24, a week after they said it would be sent 'immediately'. Plugged it in to my USB port, and immediately got an error message "USB device not recognized, blah, blah, blah, replace device". Wonderful. After paying for a week of no internet, this is what I get. If I jiggle it around in the USB port, sometimes the modem is recognized, and I can get online, at a fantastic speed of 300. Wow. I used to get up to 900 on Sprint with the same antenna on a Pantech XP-500. The Franklin modems are either incompatible with Toshiba laptops, or they are just plain junk. Back on the phone to tech support. This sucks.
Followup comments:  | | songsearch
join:2009-03-27
 ·Millenicom
1 edit | Re: rating Misunderstanding, my butt, I SPECIFICALLY emailed them before I signed up to ascertain that band width was unlimited, and they replied that it was. Why are you defending a company that made promises they couldn't keep? You act like I'm the bad guy here. Millenicom was at fault. If they can't deliver, or if delivery was uncertain, why did they promise people unlimited service for $60/mth?
If you think my attitude is bitter, yes, that's absolutely true. I've been screwed, and I emphasize 'screwed' by DirectPC/Hughesnet, Sprint, and now these jokers. All promised services that they could not deliver, because they have oversold their available bandwidth. Whose fault is it? Mine?
That business of 'this is a good company' by consensus is ridiculous. Are you sayings it's ok they screw a few of us, as long as the majority go along with the plan? I can't wait for Congress to pass the Net Neutrality legislation, maybe that'll get rid of these bandwidth caps once and for all. Just because I live out in the country doesn't mean I shouldn't get a fair shake when it comes to internet access. | |
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compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN | Re: rating I've not had ANY issues with them since June 09.
Damn sure better than HUGHES or WILDBLUE.....
Best choice I ever made (as for as internet access in a rural area). | |
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video
Browsing Through Purgatory
Premium
join:2005-11-27
Newburg, MD
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
| Re: rating said by compuguybna :I've not had ANY issues with them since June 09. Damn sure better than HUGHES or WILDBLUE..... Best choice I ever made (as for as internet access in a rural area). I couldn't agree more with Compuguybna, also have had my Franklin modem up for several days non stop and no troubles to report so far.
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Franklin CDU-680, CradlePoint 350, DLink 655 router, HG2424G Grid antenna, Cyfre Amp. | |
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Jim_in_VA
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA | send me an email via my website and I'll straighten things out for you
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... need help? »evdo-tips.com/ | |
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Belinrahs
This ship is taking me far away
join:2007-09-07
Nashville, MI
clubs:  
·Millenicom
·HughesNet Satellit..
| Franklin devices ARE junk I agree with you that Franklin CDU-680's are junk. I have a very high-quality antenna that I even put as close to being 0 degrees level as I could using a digital level, connected directly to my CDU-680. The thing barely keeps a good connection. Sometimes, when connected to one pilot, it'll get a great quality connection @ -72dBm. Then, magically the modem decides it doesn't like that pilot and switches to one I get anywhere from -115dBm to -95dBm. Nothing physically changes between the time it's at -72 and -95, with clear weather and cloudy skies, with a little sun shining through.
If I were you, I'd see if Millenicom will do a Bring your own Device (BYOD) plan with Sprint Unlimited for you. Go on eBay and get a nice, high-quality modem like a Sierra or an Ovation device. I'm going to be doing this myself - likely get myself a Sierra and sign up BYOD. The Franklin is, plain and simple, one of the worst modems I've ever dealt with. And this thing BURNS if you leave it plugged in too long... 
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Sprint MBB thru Millenicom Unlimited service - Franklin CDU-680 (with 32" omni) connected to a CTR-350; Linksys WRT160N running DD-WRT in repeater mode one room away from the Cradlepoint, to cover the house with 4 bars of N WiFi. | |
| Makoto
join:2009-06-25
Mineral, VA
·Millenicom
| Jekyll and Millenicom I'm still upset with Millenicom... The people who control access to the towers suddenly decided that Millenicom users were too greedy so they pushed Millenicom to warn users not to abuse the service... so accounts who use a lot of bandwidth will be canceled after a few notices.
Tell me if you can wrap your head around this logic. The service is still technically unlimited, but if you use too much they cancel your service... wtf?
Okay, well then they offer an unlimited plan... but I don't have access to it. I'm not in the unlimited plan range. It's all bs. I can't stand it. I'm like 1 mile outside the DSL ISP. Maybe I'll just sell my house and move. It's all about money. | |
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Review by Robb0
UPDATED: 71 days ago
member for 71 days, 1 visits, last login: 63 days ago
Louisa,Louisa,VA
$69 per month
"Easy to install"
"Horrible, unreliable service, worst than dial-up."
"Not recommended, their service is complete BS."
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When I first got Millenicom, it was amazing, the speeds, the reliability was pretty good; then, their speeds started dropping drastically, I was getting kicked off every five minutes and at some points, couldn't even get on. I talked to Tech Support and they said "perhaps people were working on the towers," which is complete BS considering I have had Millenicom since the beginning of the year and it's progressively getting worst. I got Millenicom because unlimited data seemed pretty sweet and I thought it'd be an upgrade from Wildblue's crappy service but I was evidently dead wrong. Ever since they put in their "FAP," is when the service got at it's worst. Such a disappointment and not recommended.
Followup comments:
compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN | NO CONTRACT You're also NOT on a contract either. If you dont like Millenicom, you should cancel it at the end of the month. | |
| | Robb0
join:2009-09-18 | Re: NO CONTRACT Thanks Cpt. Obvious. | |
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 Review by entropy1
UPDATED: 138 days ago
member for 7.1 years, 1169 visits, last login: 138 days ago
Windsor,Weld,CO
$59 per month
about 3 days
"I cancelled"
"5 Gig Cap"
"5 Gig Cap"
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Ghah. A 5 gig cap.
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Review by jeanhohn
Posted: 288 days ago
member for 5.9 years, 43 visits, last login: 254 days ago
Port Townsend,Jefferson,WA
$95 per month
"Pretty good speed when working"
"Modem goes dark over and over and over...."
"I'm moving to Qwest"
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I carry both "highspeed" internet and cable TV. I've had no problem with TV service other than some channels I wanted they do not carry in my area.
But internet service is something else. For the past year, or nearly so, I've had service interruptions constantly, sometimes three or four times a day I have no connection for as long as three or four hours. After much complaining, techs come out, fiddle around, and tell me yes, there is something wrong -- we'll look into it. And that's the end until my next complaint for the same problem.
So as soon as my DirectTV dish is installed and my new modem arrives, I am leaving Millennium/Cablespeed/Broadstripe -- and very good riddance.
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Review by Agnorok
UPDATED: 326 days ago
member for 326 days, 4 visits, last login: 315 days ago
Roy,Pierce,WA
$60 per month
"Internet connection better than dial-up"
"Bad to zero customer service"
"Only use if you don't mind losing money due to customer service"
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If you have problem using the service or a component that you purchased from the Mellenicom website do not expect to get it resolved. Their customer service consists of leaving your contact info on a voice mail, to which they never reply. And they take zero responsibility for all the equipment you buy from them and instead send somewhere else which has the same level of customer service.
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Review by grumpy3b
UPDATED: 352 days ago
member for 7.9 years, 292 visits, last login: 12 days ago
Lompoc,Santa Barbara,CA
$60 per month (month by month)
about 5 days
"Fast pre-sales & post sale service & support. NO LONG TERM CONTRACT"
"Still a growing business so a few hiccups can happen..."
"Outstanding option to getting EVDO from Sprint or Verizon"
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I have nothing but good to say about Millenicom. They sell UNLIMITED EVDO over Sprint's EVDO network. You have no commitment to a long term contract. There is a $50 setup fee but you get a FREE EVDO device. In my case they sent a Franklin CDU-680 USB EVDO device.
If next month I decide to end the service I am only out the setup fee and the service I paid for to date. You cannot do that with the "big boys" like Sprint or Verizon.
The modem sets itself up in a few minutes and viola you are connected. All the software need is on the modem itself. It supports Linux, XP & Mac OS's out of the box.
From talking to other Millenicom customers their support is ready & willing to get you the best connection you can have from your location.
I can really recommend this company to someone who wants/needs mobile broadband but is reluctant due to the cost of the modem device & a 2-year agreement...
These guys are the DSLExtreme of the MBB world!
UPDATE: Well, since the forced switch to Crapizon my connection speed has dropped by 35%-40% and I also lost the ability to use my Cradlepoint CTR350 with the Pantech UM175 MBB device I was sent to replace the CDU680 by Franklin.
I am completely underwhelmned by the service itelf now. Also in how this latest fiasco with Srint simply cancelling a bunch of accounts that were with Millenicom was below average for certain.
As of now the best case I get about 800kbps/450kbps...and I have tested the connection as low as 140/35. I also find the more I use the connection during a session the slower it gets...can you say bandwidth throttling? I so do not like ding business with Crapizon even if it is via a 3rd party.
I was consistantly getting 1200-1500kbos/800-900kbps with the Sprint based device. I simply am unsure what I will do now but I am considering cancelling my service. Much as I want to support a new growing company, I feel I am getting far less value for my money now and it is no where near worth the $60/mo it now costs.
This is a backup service fro me but speed is important...though it has saved me tonight when my DSL just *poof'd* but the bandwidth is simply abysmal...
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Review by RegGuheert
Posted: 1.7 years ago
member for 4 years, 280 visits, last login: 150 days ago
Berryville,Clarke,VA
$49 per month (month by month)
about 5 days
"Portable internet. Nice upgrade from T-Mobile EDGE"
"Drops to 1xRTT speeds and pings even when 'EVDO Only'"
"Millenicom Mobile Broadband NOT Replacing HughesNet!"
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I finally signed up for Millenicom Mobile Broadband Wednesday, 21 February 2008, after considering it for well over a year. Thanks to all the posters here for helping me learn about this service! There is a wealth of information in this forum!
My hopes in getting Millenicom included the following:
1) Replace HughesNet service.
2) Reduce ping times from 750 msec to ~100 msec.
3) Eliminate FAP.
4) Reduce monthly fees by $20.
5) Be able to take a fast connection with me on vacation.
Here is my experience so far:
Millenicom has been great to do business with so far! Web sign up was easy, terms of service are great, and I received my working modem three business days after signing up!
My home is not yet shown as covered by Mobile Broadband service on Sprint's maps, but I'm impatient, so I decided to go ahead and try it. I already have a Wilson 1900 MHz Yagi antenna and amplifier in my home that provides me with better coverage for T-Mobile voice and EDGE service. My expectation was to be able to repoint this to one of the towers with Mobile Broadband coverage in order to get service throughout my house.
In preparation for receiving this new modem, I read quite a bit on this forum and did one "tweak": I installed the Microsoft patch to stabilize the speed of wireless cards within Vista. This patch *really* improved the stability of EDGE connections, so I guess it changes something. I now get a consistent 200 kbps download speed with EDGE with only 2 bars!
I am thoroughly impressed with how simple it is to install the CDU-680! What a great idea to include the software in a USB flash drive inside the modem! Kudos to Franklin!
First thing I did after confirming 1xRTT service at home was to put a four-inch magnetic antenna I had bought for this modem and drive to find the towers that carry EVDO Rev A service. I found them where expected, about 6 to 8 miles from my home in a different direction than my 1900 MHz Yagi is currently pointed. (That is pointed at a tower about 4 miles away.) Unfortunately, I didn't see great download speeds, even right at the tower with high signal strength. No more than 600 kbps, and typically less than 400 kbps. I'm guessing lots of desperate people got this service before I did! On the other hand, upload speeds were consistently MORE than 400 kbps. To my pleasant surprise, I was able to maintain EVDO Rev A all the way home, including in my driveway!
Next step was to hook my 1900 MHz antenna to my CDU-680 and try to find EVDO Rev A. No luck. No matter where I pointed the antenna, I was only able to get 1xRTT. Go figure. So I came inside the house and set the laptop on a table in my living room, without any external antenna and I get EVDA Rev A! Signal strength for EVDO Rev A in this position is -86 dBm, while 1xRTT is only -95 dBm.
I decided not to tweak my HA (New York) just yet, even though ping times tend to be 250 msec and above. Instead, my son started some downloads using FlashGet. One was a torrent and the other was a normal http download. Unfortunately, the downloads failed within a couple of hours with a "System error, unable to sign in" message. My son restarted the service and we went to bed. Same error occurred again overnight. Speeds tend to vary between 0 kbps to about 900 kbps. Average tends to be about 300 kbps, which is just slightly faster than EDGE.
Bottom line: Millenicom Mobile Broadband is not currently stable enough nor fast enough to replace HughNet as our main internet provider. Hughesnet, while limited to 400 MB per day and having 750 msec ping times, is *very* stable and provides 1 Mbps whenever requested. We have learned to do our larger downloads during the 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM free period each day. I have decided to keep Millenicom Mobile Broadband as a replacement for T-Mobile EDGE service in the hopes that it will be generally faster and that more of the Sprint towers will become EVDO Rev A-capable in the near future.
So, looking at my original list of hopes I can write a list of realities to now replace it:
1) Replace T-Mobile EDGE service.
2) Reduce ping times from >1000 msec (EDGE) to ~250 msec.
3) Workaround FAP.
4) INCREASE monthly fees by $20.
5) Be able to take a fast connection with me on vacation. (We'll see. I will take the new modem on a business trip with me tomorrow.)
Thanks again to all who have provided information on Millenicom and Sprint Mobile Broadband on this forum. While I didn't quite realize my original goals, I did find a place for this service and will be keeping it for the foreseeable future.
I realize that I am a complete newbie here and that I will be able to improve the stability and speed of this service by fiddling with it, getting patches, etc. However, I don't think it will make it to HughesNet performance or stability any time soon, given the starting point. (FWIW, I'm an electrical engineer who has worked in wireless communications, both satellite and terrestrial, for the past 20 years. I'm also not new to cellular internet, as I've been using EDGE for about 2 years now.)
I waited a couple of weeks before posting the above comments as a review, just in case I have missed something. After nearly three weeks of use, my views have not changed materially, so my review stands as above.
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