Cloud RAN Accelerators: which one is in the lead, and why? - Ericsson

Image
Press play on photo to watch the video Do you want to listen to this videoepisode instead? Play the audio only. Service providers' key expectations from 5G and toward 6G era are to successfully manage the immense traffic growth and leverage mobile networks to support new use cases. To put the expectations into concrete numbers – the projections say that 5G subscriptions will reach 1 billion, and the average monthly usage per smartphone will surpass 15 GB by the end of this year and then grow to 40 GB by the end of 2027. As mid-band brings the potential of high capacity to explore new use cases with high bandwidth demand, new considerations appear on how to get the most out of 5G in Cloud RAN, impacting service providers' strategy of designing their 5G networks and selecting the best RAN processing option. Talking about processing and the time-critical nature of some elements, different parts of the RAN software stack have different requiremen...
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Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Visa Credit Card 2022 Review - Forbes

Our Verdict

Our Verdict

Don't double down on the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* unless you've exhausted most other options. A secured card with a just basic set of benefits, the card is certainly not the best secured card on the market as it charges a $36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter annual fee.

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter
Regular APR
20.45% variable
Credit Score
Bad/Poor

Pros

  • Zero fraud liability
  • Merrick Bank reports activity to major credit bureaus
  • Double your credit line with no additional deposit after seven months of on-time payments

Cons

  • An annual fee of $36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter
  • Secured cards lack major benefits
  • Secured cards require a deposit

Highlights

  • $200 security deposit requirement
  • $400 doubled credit line after making at least the minimum payment on time each month for the first 7 months
  • 20.45% variable APR on purchases
  • $36 annual fee the first year, billed as $3 per month thereafter
More Highlights
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
N/A

Introduction

With a $200 minimum and $3,000 maximum deposit, the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* requires a refundable security deposit that becomes the cardholder's credit limit. The bank may offer to double your credit limit after seven months of on-time payments without an additional deposit. With responsible use, cardholders can build credit using this card and may see additional credit limit increases when the bank reviews the account.

The card's lack of rewards isn't unusual, since few secured cards offer rewards, but the $36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter annual fee and lack of any serious benefits fail to impress us.

The card's benefits do include zero liability protection and monthly no-extra-charge access to a cardholder FICO score as well as standard Visa benefits including ATM access (the card does charge a cash advance fee of 4% Min: $10) and emergency card replacement service. This card issuer does report activity to three major credit reporting bureaus: Equifax, Transunion and Experian.

At a Glance

  • Annual fee of $36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter
  • No welcome offer
  • No rewards
  • Minimum required opening deposit of $200 and $3,000 maximum deposit
  • Double your credit limit without an additional deposit after 7 months of on-time payments

Other Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Card Benefits

  • FICO Score Access: No-extra-charge access to your credit score when provided to the bank.
  • Online Banking: Offers the ability to click to pay bills online.
  • Zero Liability Protection: Cardholders aren't responsible for unauthorized purchases.

Fine Print

Interest Rates

  • Regular APR: 20.45% variable
  • Purchase Intro APR Offer: 20.45% variable on purchases
  • Balance Transfer Intro APR Offer: N/A

Fees

  • Annual Fee: $36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter
  • Balance Transfer Fees: N/A
  • Cash Advance Fees: 4% Min: $10
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 2% of each transaction in U.S. Dollars.

How the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Card Stacks Up

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* vs. Discover it® Secured Credit Card

The Discover it® Secured Credit Card earns 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Plus, the card comes with Unlimited Cashback Match - Discover will automatically match all the cash back earned at the end of the first year.

The rewards, combined with its lack of an annual fee, put the Discover it® Secured Credit Card on our list of the best secured credit cards and ultimately makes a better choice than the Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card*.

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* vs. Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card

The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card, issued by WebBank, Member FDIC, is an unsecured card marketed toward those whose credit may have them seeking a secured card. The Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card earns rewards with select merchants and, as a Visa card, comes with some benefits including auto rental damage insurance and roadside dispatch access.

WebBank may use what the issuer calls a "cash score" and doesn't require applicants to have a credit score. Those whose finances require some pruning may find an olive branch with the Petal 1. The Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* might land them in the mud with its less-than-favorable annual fee.

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card* vs. Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students

Students seeking a credit card for personal credit improvement should consider the Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card for Students. The no-annual-fee card earns 3% cash back in the category of choice and an automatic 2% at grocery stores and wholesale clubs. Bonus earning is limited to the first $2,500 in the 3% and 2% categories combined each quarter. Earn an unlimited 1% on all other purchases.

Among the many demographics seeking to improve or build credit, students face a unique array of options and should, in addition to considering secured cards, consider other student cards to help build credit.

Compare Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Visa Credit Card with other Credit Cards

Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card
Merrick Bank Double Your Line® Credit Card
2x Reward Rate
Earn Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day. Earn Unlimited 2x miles on every purchase, every day
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$36 the first year, billed $3 per month thereafter
Credit Score
Bad/Poor
Regular APR
20.45% variable
Discover it® Secured Credit Card
Discover it® Secured Credit CardApply Now →
Apply Now
On Discover's Website
Rates & Fees
Welcome Bonus
Cashback Match™
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score
New/Rebuilding Credit
Regular APR
25.99% Variable APR
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
Intro Offer: Unlimited Cashback Match - only from Discover. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you've earned at the end of your first year! There's no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a dollar-for-dollar match.
Petal® 1 "No Annual Fee" Visa® Credit Card
Petal® 1 Apply Now →
Apply Now
On Petal's Website
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Score
Fair/Bad
Regular APR
22.99% - 32.49% (Variable)
Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.
N/A

Is the Merrick Bank Double Your Line Secured Card for You?

With no rewards, no major benefits and an annual fee, we say take a pass on this card. Though its "Double Your Line" structure may help some find a balance between a secured and unsecured line, many secured card issuers evaluate secured accounts for upgrade to unsecured status after a cardholder builds a history of responsible use. There are better options out there among secured cards than this one.

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