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With the launch of the new iPad, equipped with 4G LTE cellular data, it seems likely that the next iPhone will be similarly supplied. Until then, a new startup called FreedomPop is rolling out a new iPhone case/sled that includes a Wi-Fi hotspot powered by the Clearwire 4G network.
FreedomPop, being backed by Skype co-founder Niklas Zennstrom, is offering the $99 device with 500MB of free data use each month, and should ship by the end of the summer. All Things D reports that the company is hoping to act as an alternative to throttled data services provided by native carriers.
"The timing couldn’t be better for our product," said FreedomPop VP of Product Mauricio Sastre in a statement. "Carriers are throttling data and increasing prices and users are desperate for affordable alternatives. As the mobile industry flexes its joint oligopolistic power, we want to ensure that we are keeping them honest."
The FreedomPop 4G iPhone Sleeve can be preordered from the company's website.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)Or am I missing something? Because if it is true, I'm all over it.
Also be wary of any new free services. Often when something is free, YOU are the product being sold. I haven't read up on this but those considering it would be well advised to do so. Look no further than Google or Facebook.
:rolleyes:. Even if those guys charge $10 for 5GB/mo later.
Yours sincerely.
This seems to good to be true. $100 one time payment for a device that can give me 500MB of 4G speeds every month for free and create personal hotspots for my wifi only devices?
Or am I missing something? Because if it is true, I'm all over it.
This is similar to what NetZero is doing with Clearwire. One time device payment for free access, but only a small amount of data. They are hoping that users will upgrade to a paid plan once they realize how inadequate the free account is.
Read their ToS. They will skim all your info, get access to all your social networking sites and other personal information.
Your information might be sent to 3rd parties for:
Email, telemarketing, SMS, etc.
http://www.freedompop.com/privacy.htm
Not a good deal at all for giving up all your information.