Verizon's "Unlimited" Has Its Limits

While Verizon Wireless proudly claims its wireless "Broadband Access" service is unlimited, some customers are finding Verizon's definition doesn't match their expectations. The service uses a technology called EV-DO that allows users to access the Internet at high speeds from their laptops, just about anywhere. Verizon labels this service "broadband" because it has average download speeds of 400-700 kilobytes per second. However, when customers use it like they would other broadband connections, Verizon is likely to cancel their account, according to ConsumerAffairs.com.

Under Verizon's terms and conditions, the company hardly goes out of its way to explain the limits on their definition of "unlimited broadband access." Customers who take the time to read the fine print will find that "services cannot be used: (1) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games; (2) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing." Jeffrey Nelson, Verizon Wireless spokesman, said that calling the service "unlimited" is not misleading. "It's very clear in all the legal materials we put out," he said. "It's unlimited amounts of data for certain types of data."