Verizon Wireless has announced the USB1000 Global Modem, a USB device that can pop onto both GSM and CDMA networks to bring EV-DO Rev. A and HSPA high-speed wireless connectivity to notebook computers—great for folks who might be in North America one day and hopping across the pond the next.
Verizon Wireless will begin offering the USB1000 Global Modem tomorrow. The unit itself will cost $149.99 with a two-year contract, after a $50 mail-in rebate (which comes in the form of a debit card). Verizon Wireless also offers GlobalAccess plans starting at $129.99 a month, offering up to 100 MB of transfers on 31 international destinations as well as 5 GB of transfers the U.S. and Canada. For $219.99 a month, customers get 200 MB of international transfers; overages are half-a-penny per kilobyte. Pay Per Use plans are also available with varying rates in different locations, as long as the customer buys a $60/month plan that comes with 5 GB of transfers in the U.S. and Canada.
The USB1000 Global Modem is manufactured by Novatel Wireless.