The reason why Verizon Wireless need your device’s location services open is because of how the network determines if it will permit a PopData session. Verizon is using technology designed to assess if their network is able to deliver the sort of service you would be expecting from a PopData session: realistically, Verizon expects customers wanting to use a PopData session are going to burn through plenty of data, either to download a movie, perhaps take part in some video calling, or maybe even download and install a software update. Verizon’s network will not allow customers to pay for a PopData bolt-on should it expect the network to be sluggish now, or in the immediate future. It determines this based on a combination of signal strength, current and typical network loads for the area in question. Customers traveling should be aware that if they pay for a PopData session and move to an area with a slower data connection, the PopData bolt-on will still run but at a slower speed.
The PopData bolt-on is available for most customers, but requires either an Android smartphones, an Apple iPad or an Apple iPhone. It isn’t available for Microsoft Windows Phones or the Verizon Hotspot product. As for where it might be useful – for those customers with a relatively low monthly data budget who want to download a large file such as a movie. It could also be useful for customers close to the end of their data allowance wanting to make or receive a video call without using all of their allowance or relying on sluggish and insecure public Wi-Fi. And should your PopData session expire, if another is available Verizon will allow you to pay extra to extend your session.