Ready Broadband Not so Ready

by Edgar B
(Akron, OH)

Ready Broadband relies on the Sprint network to provide broadband coverage to those that purchase their cards at places like Walgreens and BestBuy. Buyer beware on this product. The ONLY reason I purchased this product was that I am on the fence about renewing a 2 year agreement with my current provider. I only wanted something that could tide me over for a few months.


Ready Broadband seemed like just that. Living in a major metropolitan area of Ohio and working in one as well, I figured I would get excellent speeds and be a happy camper until I made my mind up on my wireless provider. WRONG! First and foremost, the software out of the box is so outdated, you will be lucky if you can connect at all. You will get message after message telling you that your account is depleted - reload it. Thinking that was what was needed, I was suckered into the $45 reload. I was also told that I needed to go to an "Internet Cafe" and upgrade the software. THEN everything should be OK.


I followed their instructions like a good little soldier. Updated software, $45 charge on the device - NOTHING. Same error messages. Level 2 support tinkered around end eventually told me that I was not in an area that had any 3G coverage. Sprint has NO 3G coverage in Akron or Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He then told me that if I could not get the device working at either location, there would be no problem issuing a refund. WRONG! Walgreens PROMPTLY gave me a refund. Ready Broadband? No. I will have to wait another day, while yet another supervisor reviews my account and makes a decision on whether I am entitled to one or not.


I will be posting this review everywhere I can find, because this is absolutely ludicrous. Their Level 2 Support was very polite and tried to be helpful. Everybody else - far from it... Stay away from this product unless you are 100% sure it will work in your area. And don't rely on their zip code checker to tell you. Both of the Zip Codes I would be using it in said 100% coverage. This product is a joke...