Verizon Wireless Fivespot ready for Wi-Fi, 3G connectivity around the world

If you need Internet access absolutely everywhere you go around the world, then the new Verizon Wireless Fivespot might be the ticket. But it will cost you dearly.

Dubbed the first global-ready 3G mobile hotspot, the Fivespot can split the data connection among a maximum of five Wi-Fi-enabled device (i.e. netbooks, handheld gaming consoles, etc.) thanks to a pre-installed SIM card that gets data access in more than 200 countries. 120 of those nations should deliver 3G speeds as well. The 2.28-ounce device is ultra-portable with dimensions measuring 3.92- x 2.11- x 0.55-inches.

But it's the pricing that might run up the budget for your trip. For starters, the Fivespot gadget itself will cost $99.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate with the signing of a new two-year customer agreement when it goes on sale on October 7.

Then there are a number of rather exorbitant pricing plans to decide on, either prepaid or monthly. Prepaid plans start at $15 for 100MB for one day and can go up to $80 for 5GB of use among 30 days. Or if you're a monthly contract person, you can fork over $39.99 for a monthly allowance of 250MB or $59.99 for a 5GB each month. Don't forget about the overage charges, and there are still global pricing plans to think about. (Yes, those prices were just for the United States.)

International plans start at $129.99 for 5GB of monthly access in the U.S. and Canada or 100MB in "select countries." Oh, and that requires the $59.99 monthly service plan. You don't even want to know what it will cost from there.

For more information on pricing, read up more details on the entire release, but it might be easier just to find a McDonald's or Starbucks with free Wi-Fi somewhere.