VirginMobile wifi device

[Getupngo]

I just got the new VirginMobile wifi device (runs off the Sprint network) and it is AWESOME!!! It's the size of a fat credit card, and I can use it anywhere that Sprint has service.

It is a no-contract, unlimited data 3G device for $10 /10 days (100 MB limit) or $40 a month (unlimited). It loads -- BAM! -- here in the urban area. Don't know about rural. But it's going to be my traveling companion from now on. You do NOT hook it to your computer. It just sits nearby. You can run up to five mobile devices off of it. It's got only WPA security, but that'll have to be good enough.

On Edit: Funny ... it does pretty well with YouTube (at least as well as my home DSL -- a few streaming farts here and there), but the picture-heavy Huffington Post gives the card terminal gas.

I had a few hiccups (staying with the bodily metaphors! ) getting it going (the web site for signup wouldn't connect for me -- had to call India!) ... but now that it's running, I'm really impressed. When you log in, you go to a page that tells you your useage (handy if you're on the $10 for 10 days limited data option).

If you decide to get one, go to this web site because it's $149 there and at Amazon it's about $240.

Here is a CNET story.

[retiredhappy]

I will check it out when my Verizon contract runs out. My only concern is that I have better service on the road in rural areas with Verizon than other's have with Sprint.

[Getupngo]

What I don't know is how well it works in areas without 3G coverage. But as these things go, it's a great deal. And if it doesn't work ... I don't have to re-up while I'm in a "dead zone."

[sharon]

I'm gonna wait and see how it does in the rural areas....About the only place I haven't had wifi is at Pettit Jean in Arkansas, and I can do w/o it for a week.

[mitch5252]

Janice, that's pretty exciting!

Do you think the only difference between the one you got and the USB plug-in would be the ability to have 5 devices using yours at the same time? If so, I could definitely get away with the USB for half the cost! Do you think each would have the same connectivity range? Or would maybe your unit be better?

So, we head out on a trip somewhere, go online with our credit card, give 'em ten bucks and away we go? It's that easy? At the end of 10 days (or 100Mb), it cuts off/out?

Very cool and thanks for sharing your info!!

[Bethers]

Mitch, it won't cut off after 10 mb, at least that's my understanding - it'll charge you bigger bucks for the extra mg's. That's why if you do that, you have to watch your usage.

And, yes, the usb one would compare to the usb one many use with Verizon, and the MiFi one compares to the MiFi connection. I'm going to guess that while my Verizon worked at Petit Jean, the Sprint network probably wouldn't. It's not in all the areas. If it was, I'd be changing in a heartbeat. Love their pricing, etc. And if I didn't HAVE to have the internet for business, I'd change anyway, I think. Without the biz, I could be without more often. I did my first almost 2 years out with finding wifi, etc. So could still do this - and have to find wifi the other times. But couldn't have down the gtg without a connection - that was all week, during the week - have to answer emails, etc.

[Getupngo]

Mitch, when you select the mifi signal, it takes you to the VirginMobile web site and you have to login, in order to surf the net. After you do, a page comes up that shows you how much of the 100 MB used. I don't know the answer about whether it cuts you off at 100 MB or charges you for any overage.

However, if you want to use the mifi full time, it's $40 a month, unlimited useage. So what you see is what you get.

[Getupngo]

I just spoke to VirginMobile. They do NOT start automatically charging additional if you hit the limit with the $10/100MB plan. At that point you can no longer access the Internet & you need to buy more.

Just FYI. I'm glad I asked.

[AlmostThere]

And you can only hope the person that gave you that info knew what they were talking about!
Perhaps you should call again and see if the next person gives you the same answer?
Murphy's Law etal..

[Bethers]

Janice, I like that part. A lot. Thanks for finding out.

[AliceM]

Sooooooooooo... now that a little time has past.. how are things with Virgin Mobile going? Their coverage map concerned me.. and I must not of been reading it right. The map showed no data coverage for Silver River State Park outside of Ocala.. but did have coverage in Ocala. However, they were selling Virgin Mobile devices at the Walmart very close to the park.

Its my understanding that Virgin has coverage where Sprint does but -without- the roaming. The roaming may or may not be the deal breaker depending on where you are. But I am very attracted to the rates.. the no contract.. the no paying while my rv sits in storage.

My brother was visiting and tried it in Panama City Beach, Florida. He said that it worked great during the day but for whatever reasons, crawled in the evenings

I am currently using for travel a Sprint usb device that I got many many years ago, plugged into a wireless router. Monthly fees are 39.00 a month, pre 5 gig cap account...which doesn't mean they won't change the game at anytime they want. I don't travel every month (can't stay out of the repair shop that long) but have to pay every month. However, this device uses Sprint's network including roaming.

Anyway, would love to hear more about actual use and opinions of Virgin Mobile's service.


Thanks..

Alice

[kelpie]

Karen, I have a Verizon air card too and the contract is up in January. i was going to switch to on of the Virgin Mobile but when I bought my new phone the salesgirl at Verizon told me that I could start using the current one on a pay as you go basis. This would be ideal for me since I LOVE their coverage but hate the contract. i have to pay $40 a month for 9-10 months of the year when i do NOT use it at all. Once I start traveling I can call them and buy some air time. Not sure of all the details yet since I haven't started it. But seems like the best of both worlds to me.

[AlmostThere]

I just upgraded my iPhone 3G to the iPhone 4. The gal at the ATT store said it offers WiFi tethering for $20 a month. You let them know when to start and stop. No contracts. Didn't ask about any other stipulations.

[Bethers]

I switched from AT&T - which I used on the road with tethering - because all of a sudden, they were telling me I was "roaming". When I discontinued they told me "yes, they would start charging for roaming on data". Well, they lost me right there. I was roaming at the rv park I was in in AZ, then was roaming on data several stops on the way across the country getting Jean to AL. Got to AL and made the switch. Talked to them recently and they told me the same. Verizon, I'm roaming now - and ONLY will get charged if I go over my allowed 5 - and then the charge will be higher than in network. Not going above the 5, so no problem. Normally use the wifi here