Helio Hybrid buys you 160MB of 3G monthly
by Chris Ziegler 
posted Oct 8th 2006 at 10:18PM
$85 sounds like a pretty solid deal for a Boingo WiFi account plus unlimited EV-DO, doesn't it? It would, if the 3G part of Helio's Hybrid package was, in fact, unlimited. Alas, Wi-Fi Networking News uncovered the rather startling fact that Helio is considering anything above and beyond 160MB per month to be "excessive or abusive." To be fair, Helio isn't advertising the Hybrid's 3G data to be unlimited -- in which case 2GB or more of monthly access would be typically considered the norm without getting yourself in hot water -- but then again, they aren't doing a very good job of making it clear on their site that the soft cap comes in at 160MB, either. Helio is apparently expecting Hybrid customers to spend the lion's share of their time doing the WiFi thing, but even still, we know a couple Engadget editors that could blow through 160MB in a few hours. How about a real, honest-to-goodness all-you-can-eat plan for a few bucks more a month, guys?[Via Wi-Fi Network News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ed @ Oct 9th 2006 12:04AM
No Sling for you!
Todd @ Oct 9th 2006 9:11AM
Another classic Orwellian double-speak from a carrier!
"Sign up for an UNLIMTED* data plan!"
( ...Then in tiny 4 point text at the very bottom of a 12 page ULA... )
*Unlimited data plan limited to 160 MB a month. No soup, no Skype and no Sling for you!
Paula @ Oct 9th 2006 9:41AM
So, why would I want Helio again? I would just get a card from Verizon and not have to go through an MVNO. Or use my PPC as a modem.
Bets on Helio tanking within two years? Heck, one year?
Alex @ Oct 9th 2006 11:10AM
I didn't see anything on the Helio Hybrid site saying the 3G was unlimited for their Hybrid card. Are we maybe just assuming that since thier devices have unlimited 3G that thier Hybrid card does too?
Justin @ Oct 9th 2006 12:00PM
Yikes.. My TyTN chews through 10-15mb a day just checking email.