The good news, if there is any, is that the early termination fee only applies to early termination. Surprised you there, didn’t it? The bad news is, what Mark said about the ditch fee being $US110 in the 23rd month is true. And pretty much anything you’d want to buy from Verizon these days — not just Droids and BlackBerrys but netbooks too — are locked into this new fee.

Verizon is pretty clear that this is about recouping the cost of the subsidy; a gadget lands on the “advanced” list when it has a combination of features that “drive up the cost”. Only wireless modems and dumbphones (below referred to as feature phones) appear to be exempt. Here are the details from a spokesman:

The higher tier of early termination fee applies to a device category that generally includes smartphones, netbooks and other advanced devices purchased at a subsidized price under contract. Please remember, feature phones still carry a $US175 early termination fee when purchased at a subsidized price with a new customer agreement.

Advanced devices include a combination of advanced capabilities that combined drive up the cost of the device, including premium HTML browser; high-resolution MP camera with optical zoom; dual processor chipsets; WiFi; very high-resolution displays, and/or operating systems such as BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm, or Android. The category also includes netbooks. (Modems will still carry a $US175 ETF.)

We are informing customers at the point of purchase/contract renewal—whether on line, in person or over the phone. On Sunday, when the new EFT takes effect, we will post the list of advanced devices.

By the way, it is important to note that this change has no impact on customers with previously signed contracts, and as a practical matter has no impact on the majority of customers who choose to complete the terms of their contracts.

Remember, if you sign a long-term contract and complete it, there’s no early termination fee. In addition, customers always have the option of buying any device at full retail without an early termination fee.

As of November 15, early terminations on contracts with unspecified “advanced device”(s) will be subject to a fee of $US350. And while that policy might slow eBay entrepreneurs just looking to make a few easy bucks on a resold Blackberry, it’s devastating to the average guy who just wants to ditch his contract early.

The good news, however, is that fee will drop by $US10 every month. But still, that’s a $US110 termination fee in month 23 of a two-year contract which is clearly absurd. [BGR]

There are two flavours of 24 month contract available, both of which get you a $0 upfront NC10 – the $50 a month plan with 2GB of data included, and the $70 a month plan with 5GB.

The 10-inch lappy will come with XP, 1GB RAM and an optional optical drive that will cost an extra $1 a month for the $70 plan and $5 a month for the $50 plan. Both plans have an excess usage charge of 15 cents per MB.

While it would be far cheaper to actually pony up the cash up front and add a mobile broadband card later, there is something to be said for the convenience of cheap monthly payments that includes data.

What do you reckon? Is this something that floats your boat?

[Optus]

According to author David Weinberger, who made the discovery upon reading his pamphlet, the personal info Verizon wants to distribute willy nilly to anyone with a cheque includes “services purchased (including specific calls you make and receive), billing info, technical info and location info. They promise to only share this with ‘affiliates, agents and parent companies.’ It will definitely not be shared with ‘unrelated third parties’ … unless, perhaps that third party pays Verizon to become an affiliate, whatever the heck ‘affiliate’ means.”

If don’t get your statements in the mail, and view them online like I do, you will not receive this letter. Instead, you have to log into your Verizon Wireless account and view your messages. However, Read Write Web reports the link provided there, called the Customer Proprietary Network Information Notice, was listed as “not available.”

So keep an eye out for the mail, and be sure to opt out. Or, log in and hope Verizon grants you access to your own account so you can cancel the notice that way. [Read Write Web]

Vodafone sweetens its 5GB Dell Offer

Vodafone Australia today announced it is rolling back the price of its 5GB Dell Offer; from $69.95 to $59.95 per month on a 24-month contract.

From January 19, the Inspiron Mini 9 with embedded SIM and bundled mobile broadband, will be available on a $59.95 per month plan, including 5GB of Mobile Broadband data per month on a 24 month contract.

The shift in price will also coincide with Vodafone’s ‘three-month free access’ offer’, where new customers will be credited for the fifth, sixth and seven months of their 24-month contract. Vodafone’s three month free access’ offer has been extended exclusively for the 5GB Dell Offer until March 31, 2009.

Helen Tuffy, Head of Consumer Data at Vodafone comments: “Netbooks are set to be the success story of 2009, giving customers the freedom to stay connected while on-the-go.

“Boasting the familiar user experience of a laptop computer, the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 features an 8.9″ screen, 1GB RAM, has wi-fi connectivity, and runs on Windows XP. Weighing in at just over one kilo, the Inspiron Mini 9 is testament to the adage, ‘good things come in small packages’.”

The Inspiron Mini 9 with embedded SIM and bundled Mobile Broadband is available for purchase at selected Vodafone stores and online at www.vodafone.com.au
Dell Inspiron Mini 9 with embedded SIM and Mobile Broadband Technical Specifications

Processor

Intel® Atom™ Processor (1.6GHz, 512KB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB)

Operating System

Genuine Windows® XP Home Edition SP3

Memory

1GB 533MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Chipset

Intel® 945PM / GS Express Chipset

Graphics

Intel® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator 950

Display

Glossy 8.9 inch LED display (1024 x 600)

Audio and Speakers

One external speaker

Hard Drive

16GB solid state

Optical Drive

None

Ports

USB 2.0 (3)
Integrated 10/100 LAN (RJ45)
15-pin VGA video connector
Audio jacks (1 line-out, 1 mic-in)
Media card reader
AC adapter connector
Power

4-cell primary battery

Camera

1.3MP webcam

Wireless

Vodafone Mobile Broadband Built-in
802.11g mini-card
Bluetooth® Internal (2.0) mini-card
Software

Microsoft Works (productivity suite for word processing, spreadsheets and presentations)
Vodafone Mobile Connect
Dimensions & Weight

Width: 9.13″ (232mm)
Height: 0.66″ (16.8mm) front / 1.25″ (31.7mm) back
Depth: 6.77″ (172mm)
Weight: Starting weight of 2.28 lbs. (1.035 kg) (8.9″ display, 4 cell battery). Weights will vary depending on configurations and manufacturing variability

Notes to Editors

Available to approved customers who commit for 24 months and pay by direct debit. Offer is subject to change and available in selected stores while stocks last.
Minimum monthly cost is $59.95 ($39.95 for 5GB Mobile Broadband Plan plus $20 for Netbook). Minimum total cost over 24 months is $1,438.80. Paperless billing applies.
Early Exit Fee is $45 ($25 5GB Mobile Broadband Plan plus $20 for Netbook) x months remaining on the contract.
Data expires each month and is for use in Australia only. Excess data charged at 10c/MB. Netbook not for individual sale without a Vodafone Mobile Broadband plan.
Vodafone Mobile Broadband subject to network limitations and availability and device capability. The 3G broadband network covers selected metro areas of most capital cities and selected parts of the NSW Central Coast, Gold & Sunshine Coasts; not available in TAS or NT. Outside 3G broadband areas Vodafone Mobile Internet operates at slower access and download speeds on Vodafone’s 2.5G network. See vodafone.com.au/coverage for details.
3 months free access offer available until 31/03/09. 3 months free access will be applied as a $59.95 credit to your 5th, 6th and 7th bills. Offer applies to access fees only. Any charges for additional or excluded services will still apply. Vodafone Pty Limited ABN 76 062 954 554.
~Ends~

Doing a bit of maths, you’re still better off buying the Mini 9 up front and then adding the Vodafone 5GB data pack with USB modem for $40 a month (it works out about $120 cheaper). But sometimes convenience is everything, isn’t it?

Head on over to APC for a full cost breakdown of the bundle, and if you’re in the market for both a netbook and a wireless internet contract, maybe hold off for a week or two until we receive the official announcement…

[APC Mag]

They apparently keep its image of exclusivity untainted by appearing in a vulgar virtual auction house. If you want to dump the phone (the horror), you have to sell it back to Moto. Since each phone comes with a unique ID, it’s possible Moto could track you down with their legal bloodhounds if you do it anyway—they should be able to afford some pretty decent ones too after selling a couple of these things. [The Reg]

Ely Rosentock made the above video laying out every argument they’ll use against you and every counterargument you should use to refute it. It’s essentially a guide to refuting their script, and it’s awesome. He discusses Verizon specifically, but it should apply to all the carriers. So, contractually-trapped friends, go forth and break free! Let us know how it goes. [Crastinate via Consumerist]

And here’s our gigantic FAQ about the iPhone 3G.