Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 10:57 am Post subject: Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go

This looks like an interesting option for travelers wanting to have affordable mobile Internet access - take your own WIFI hotspot with you. There is no contract required ($40/mo for unlimited data access on a pay-as-you-go basis, and no fees to reauthorize the MiFi hotspot unit -- you can drop it in a drawer and use it only when you need it for $40/mo). Unlike the other major carriers, Virgin has no 3-5GB monthly data cap. Downside, it uses Sprint's 3G network (lots of areas of non-coverage) and the device doesn't use 4G even when it is available. It also only works on Sprint's network, so no roaming if you aren't in a Sprint area.

There are two MiFi units - one that is the size of a credit card and allows you to connect up to 5 devices via standard b/g wireless over a distance of about 30 feet. The other is a USB modem.

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/broadband2go.html#BVQAWidgetID

David Traver · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 03:43 pm Post subject:

If you have a cell phone with an unlimited data plan (because this is going to blast through the bandwidth like crazy), and the Android operating system, you may already be in business via wired or Bluetooth tethering at no additional cost. See e.g http://tipsneeded.com/how-to-tether-droid-x/ and http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9183381/5_ways_to_make_Android_2.1_work_like_Froyo and http://techentrepot.blogspot.com/2010/06/android-phone-usb-tethering.html and http://techentrepot.blogspot.com/2010/06/android-phone-usb-tethering.html Nothing extra to buy, no worries.

You will likely need to plug your Droid phone into a power source (USB will do) because it burns power as well as bandwidth.

Apple has a pay-through-the-nose plan for iPhone tethering. See: http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/06/att-adds-iphone-tethering-kills-unlimited-data-for-ipad-smartphones/

For those who have not thrown away their Blackberry phones yet, I found this: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/5022

Guest888 · Guest

This looks like a great deal. I really like the no contract part of it and the fact that you can use it on a monthly basis.

Here is a link to a NY Times article:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Your-Own-Hot-Spot-and-nytimes-362333608.html

This deal is for a 3G network but the article refers to some future deals.

Guest · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 06:14 pm Post subject: Re: Great Deal...What is 4G?

David Traver · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 06:28 pm Post subject:

4G is available in only a few cities at this time. I could not get AT&T 3g in most of Wisconsin, which is one reason I moved away from Apple and AT&T. Check your region of the Country for availability by service provider, type, and location. Almost all 3g and 4g phones will automatically use WiFi for data service, and WiFi is becoming fairly ubiquitous from coffee shops to malls. Also, you can add a WiFi router to your computer, and use your device that way at home or in the office. (Warning, WiFi is not secure as it presently exists.)