CNet’s “The Cheapskate” blog has a special offer on the TruConnect MiFi hotspot, offering a $25 discount to knock the device down from $99 to $74 when you use the discount code CNET2012 through TruConnect’s checkout.
As I’ve said before, this is a great way to get inexpensive (albeit slow) prepaid 3G wifi (using Sprint’s network) for those who only plan to use it occasionally or with very low-bandwidth applications (such as, say, downloading e-books). The plan costs $4.99 per month in which it is actually used (you pay nothing if you don’t use it at all during a given month), plus 3.9 cents per megabyte during that month. TruConnect keeps a running prepaid balance from which to charge these fees, topping you up with a $10 charge every time that balance goes below $5.
Of course, Wal-Mart’s new Internet on the Go plan, also provisioned through TruConnect, could offer a better value overall, since it doesn’t have a monthly fee, but the difference may be slight—it does charge a slightly higher rate per megabyte and its MiFi currently costs $119.88.
You’ll want to check TruConnect’s coverage map before you buy, of course. The service is strong in the midwest, mid-south, and northeast, but has sketchier coverage on the west coast and almost nothing in the north central US.
I just tried the promo code for TruConnect and it’s not valid.
Must have expired, I guess. These offers only tend to last a limited time.
I just got charged $70.00 for 10 days of usage by Truconnect. They don’t tell you to turn the device off when not in use and there is nothing in their guide either. They are a ripoff and they won’t work with you for any type of credit. DON’T BUY THIS SERVICE. BEWARE!!!!!!