Current Verizon usage info while using a router?????

dantharp · EVDO Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

I just got a Kyocera KR2 EVDO Router with a Novatel USB720 modem, wirelessly connecting to 2 PCs (rarely used at the same time) and soon to be connected to an XBOX 360. Everything absolutely ROCKS so far....I live right next to a tower so my download/upload speeds are fantastic.
However, I've had my service in place since 6/9 and just today (6/13) the usage info on Verizon's site is finally showing up...but as of 6/11 data. So my usage info online is a full 2 days old.
Does anyone else have this problem with Verizon's usage info being not-so-current?

More importantly, is there any other way to get usage info, perhaps via the router or modem itself?
Note: I'm NOT running the modem on a PC so that VZAccess app isn't in the picture.
Does anyone know of a way to pull usage information from the router or connect remotely to the modem and pull stats off of it?
I'll do everything I can to stay under the 5 Gig /month limit, but I'm starting to think I won't be able to trust Verizon's usage stats.

Thanks in advance.
Dan Tharp
http://dantharpmusic.com

RuralRob · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 9:56 am Post subject:

I'm using the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 router, which I *think* is the same as the Kyocera KR2. If that is the case, you can get the number by logging into your router's web page, and going to the Statistics page under the Status tab. The "KBytes Received" number under Wan Statistics should be about the same as Verizon's usage number. The only problem is, this number gets reset to 0 every time you reboot the router, so you'll need to take that into account.

dantharp · EVDO Newbie Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks for the info!
Wow....isn't it sad someone would have to resort to looking at modem statistics to get an idea of where their usage is? What's up with Verizon? If they can "ding" you for using too much bandwidth, how can they get away with not having a reliable means to measure that bandwidth? Every single support person I've talked to openly admits that the measurement system isn't timely, isn't accurate, and isn't reliable.
So, how can they come after me for over-usage if the tools they use to measure usage are in question?
And, why am I not hearing more "buzz" about this? Is everyone out there using 2 Gig a month and this isn't an issue?
Just wondering where all the "hub-bub" is about this.
Dan
dantharpmusic.com

RuralRob · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:02 am Post subject:

I suspect the tools they use in-house to measure usage are quite accurate. Trouble is, that accuracy is lost somewhere along the way between their in-house monitoring and the customer-facing website. That website is primarily designed to sell-sell-sell you more crap - everything else there is of much lower priority, and probably assigned very junior offshore techs to support it.

Downrange · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 10 Location: VA

I am finding that VZW inflates the hell out of my usage metrics. I don't know how they are measuring up/down, but it comes in at about DOUBLE what my Hughesnet usage is for the same browsing.
Maybe it sends all the packets twice or something.

RuralRob · Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:46 am Post subject:

Another thing to check: under the Status tab in your router webpage, click on "Logs". See if there are any entries that look like:

Blocked incoming TCP packet from xxxx to xxxx as RST received but there is no active connection

or

Blocked incoming TCP connection request from xxxx to xxxx

These are incoming attacks from botnets, etc., that are being blocked by your router's firewall, but since they are getting through your modem to the router, they still count against your total bandwidth usage. If you're seeing a lot of these in your log, they could be impacting your usage numbers.

jrh · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 5

I inadvertently posted this under the "Man sues Verizon...over bill" thread; sorry for the double post.

My billing period ends at midnight on the 9th of the month. I just completed my second month with VZ yesterday (had HughesNet before). On 6/26, I downloaded a 2 GB file (map for my Nuvi GPS), so I've been sweating my usage. I've been monitoring it with BitMeter and keeping track in an Excel spreadsheet.

At 1650 on 7/08, I got a call from a VZ customer rep, telling me that I was nearing my 5 GB limit. She showed that I had used 4241.23 MB as of 0149 on 7/07, which I confirmed by looking up my usage total on my MyVerizon account web page while we were talking; so, the reps don't have any later usage data available to them than what we can see on our MyVerizon account web page. BitMeter showed that I had used 4102.23 MB through 7/06 (about 2 hours earlier), so not a big discrepancy.

The MyVerizon web page does run a couple of days behind, though. Even now, at 1015 on 7/10, the latest usage data it shows is 4,241.79 MB Used as of 07/07/08 1:49 AM. Note that this is the same date and time that the customer rep told me, but a slightly different different usage.

I have an MBR1000 router, and my wife's PC also uses it (wireless connection), but she doesn't do nearly as much usage as I do. The small discrepancy between BitMeter's total and MyVerizon suggest that either she doesn't use much at all compared with me, or that BitMeter is somehow including her usage, too.

I just hope I completed the billing cycle under the 5 GB limit! BitMeter's totals show my total was 4217.48; I sure hope that's close to what VZ has for me. :

dan1101 · EVDO User Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 67

It's terrible to have to live this way. I was a Sprint user, I'm switching to Verizon since they have a tower much closer to me and Sprint has enacted a 5GB limit. I just hope I don't have too much trouble with the stupid limit.

lvlorpheus · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

"It's terrible to have to live this way. I was a Sprint user, I'm switching to Verizon since they have a tower much closer to me and Sprint has enacted a 5GB limit. I just hope I don't have too much trouble with the stupid limit."

Why not get Alltel now with a 1 or 2 year contract that is unlimited and hope Verizon will honor it at least for the 1 or 2 year contract. If they don't you were going to Verizon anyway it sounds like. If they do you might buy yourself a year or 2 of time for things to "lets hope get better."

dan1101 · EVDO User Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 67

lvlorpheus · Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:27 pm Post subject:

Yea, but in 3 to 5 months Alltel will be Verizon. I would have to ask myself what is $120 to $180 spent on a service that I could not use for a few months that is unlimited vs. locking myself into a 5 GB limit that could cost $1000's in overages for the same contract length, and monthly price. I would think you would have to know someone in a Alltel market. In the end it's just something to think about, and it's your money so you have to do what you feel is best. Good Luck!

Edit Added: Alltel does roam on Verizon and Sprint.

dan1101 · EVDO User Joined: 17 May 2007 Posts: 67

Alex · Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:55 am Post subject:

jrh · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 5