Virgin Mobile launching prepaid MiFi next week
By Chris Ziegler 
posted June 23rd 2010 7:54AM
posted June 23rd 2010 7:54AM
The spotlight on Sprint's MiFi has definitely faded since the launch of the Overdrive and EVO 4G -- both of which can kick it into high 4G gear when in range -- but Sprint subsidiary Virgin Mobile is bringing Novatel's groundbreaking mobile hotspot back into the forefront by taking it to the prepaid world. What that means is that you'll be paying $149 for the MiFi itself -- contract free, naturally -- plus any of a number of prepaid data rates ranging from $10 for 100MB all the way up to $60 for 5GB. It's said to be launching next Monday online and in Best Buy and Radio Shack locations -- so if you're an occasional data user, this might be about the best option on the block.
who cares... lol this isnt uk
@big nazty
This is World, as in Earth. Last time I checked, the UK is on planet Earth.
@Yukidaruma
Not for long after Slovenia sinks them.
@big nazty
EEEHH this go good with mee ePhone 4 EEHH?
@big nazty
The article isn't too clear, but this for the UNITED STATES using Sprint's CDMA network.
@big nazty
The last time I checked, Engadget.com is a US company. So I would say a lot of people in the US care.
Even though they are a US company, they probably do a better job of covering the overseas markets then the overseas companies.
@big nazty virgin owns you. Sir Branson will probably be in space with his Virgin Galactic when earth goes thru changes in 2012 and laughing his ass off.
@Yukidaruma a very, veerrry small part on the world...
$60 seems like a good deal...but I'm a little leary on Virgin Mobile's service
@216 - Why? Virgin Mobile = Sprint = excellent 3G coverage.
@216 Service does suck but coverage is decent and data prices are sweet!
your right...virgin mobile suks!!! never again.
This is a good thing.
I have the Virgin Mobile Broadband USB stick and it works great.
@busdriver71 I actually looked at one of those since I occasionally need mobile data and tethering a phone isn't always convenient since no voice and data at the same time on CMDA. Given the same pricing tiers and only $50 more than the USB stick based on what I saw it priced at, not bad at all.
Is this in the US? If so, this is an awesome deal.
@malexandria1
Yes.
what is the speed rated at (3G speeds or less)?
@xRiCHRAYx
They use Sprint's CDMA network.
@xRiCHRAYx Averages about 1 megabit per second.
Virgin Mobile Australia have had a very similar thing going for a while now although they use a Huawei model...
http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/321930/virgin_launches_mobile_wi-fi_modem/
This is such an awesome idea. I've always wanted a MiFi. But I never wanted to pay 60 bucks a month in a contract when I wouldn't be using it that much.
Great. I will quit the ATT data plan on my iPad
@exboy99 I still wouldn't. This is still slower than AT&T's 3G.
@ethanwc
Not if your stuck on AT&T's Edge network.
I'm pretty sure virgin in Australia have something like this.
@Christophers94
They do have it in Australia.Check their website for details :)
this is a really good deal
This is a great deal... my only question is.. Why does data have to expire after the stated times..? If i buy 100mb it would be great if it expired when i had used it all up... not when 10 days had gone by..
@teflonrico They need you to continually pump money into the aircard in order to keep it running. Same with prepaid phones. They all have some type of expiration date whether you use minutes or not.
@ethanwc I see what your saying... but the difference here is we are consuming data.. with a prepaid cell phone you are paying to be "on line" so you can receive a call for example...
Is that 60 a month? Or can you use up that 5gb over however long you want?
@Aaronneyer $60 a month. Like the carriers, minus the contract.
Is this only 3G? or is it also 4G?
@d3sc3nd3ncy It's just 3G.
Damn. I might have to pay my ETF for my Verizon MiFi and move to this. Much more economical for me since I don't use it all that often.
@icase81
Same here. I wish this had come out before I got the Verizon contract, but if my data usage is low enough it will be more economical to pay the ETF, buy the new MiFi, and go with pre-paid.
Freaking sweet! Since it's prepaid does the 5GB expire 30 days after activation?
@pissshivers
Yes.
This is great, now Virgin Mobile just needs a tolerable andriod device and all other company owners of MVNOs will be shitting bricks.
@ComeShot +1
Hopefully Verizon will follow suit. They're the only 3G provider in my area, but I can't justify buying a MiFi and getting on a 2-year contract, I just wouldn't use it enough to pay 60 bucks a month.
Virgin Mobile data plans:
$10/100MB/10 days expiration
$20/300MB/30 days
$40/1GB/30 days
$60/5GB/30 days
Not too bad if you only occasionally need a data hit and are willing to spend ten bucks for it.
For AT&T smartphone & iPad users, it seems to me that AT&T's plans still make more sense for regular use:
$15/200MB/30 days
$25/2GB/30 days
Let's hope Virgin gets the software right for this thing. The Broadband2Go that comes with their USB sticks is AWFUL, and working at a store that sells these things, I have never once seen a Virgin Mobile broadband card actually activate successfully the first time.
@tviolation
Getting this thing working could be a real PITA. I assume that it has a webserver in the thing, which allows you to enter the authorization information once you've accessed the device via WiFi. Don't ask me what happens if you can't connect to it through WiFi.
Does this thing have a USB port for direct connection?
@tviolation Seriously? I've been using Broadband2Go for a few months. Works great. I had no problem activating it. I have it working in Windows XP and 7, OS X Snow Leopard, and (with a little script tweak) Ubuntu. Been real happy with it so far.
@tviolation I have been using broadband2go since it was first released. I even paid $150 for the usb dongle. I have not had a single problem with it.
Any thoughts on whether I would need to buy a Virgin-branded MiFi, or whether Virgin would sell me service for my contract-free Sprint Novatel 2200 MiFi unit?
Damn!! I just bought their USB Prepaid 3G stick for Father's Day. Dad is gonna be jealous when I get this for myself.
Meh...NexusOne with Froyo on mysimplemobile = prepaid $60 a month phone and WAP with unlimited = PROFIT!
next week... this is available at my best buy right now...im in Avon Lake Ohio btw