Mobile Phones and Services

Give your laptop wireless broadband connectivity wherever you roam with the Novatel Ovation MC760 Broadband2Go USB modem from Virgin Mobile--just plug this USB device into your laptop and connect to the internet from almost anywhere in the country. It features an advanced internal dual band antenna system that includes diversity for enhanced performance on network fringe areas, and it doubles as a flash drive with an integrated microSD reader (microSD card sold separately). The Broadband2Go modem also provides plug and play capability with automatic installation of software and device drivers built right into the device for both Windows and Mac users.

With a Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go plan, activation is simple and megabytes can be added as often as needed with credit/debit cards or Virgin Mobile Top-Up cards--which can be used to purchase data usage from 100 MB to 1 GB. For example, a 250 MB Top-Up card for $20 (good for 30 days of use) translates roughly into 12 hours of web browsing. You can choose the plan that fits your needs the best, and without an annual contract, monthly subscription or activation fee (see more details on pricing below). Depending on your Broadband2Go Plan, megabytes will expire 10 days or 30 days after you buy them.

Supporting the EV-DO Rev. A high-speed data standard, the Broadband2Go modem enables you to download and stream high-quality video, straight onto your phone. Where coverage is available, EV-DO Rev. A connectivity provides average download speeds ranging from 600 to 1400 Kbps, with peak rates up to 3.1 Mbps. And average uploads speeds are 350-500 Kbps, peaking at 1.8 Mbps.

You'll receive coverage anywhere on Broadband2Go's nationwide network. That means you can connect to the Internet from almost anywhere you bring your laptop--your house, the library, the airport, your favorite pizza spot, even outdoors at the park. No need to search for a Wi-Fi hot spot or anything like that. Service is provided in more than 4,300 cities (including 480 airports) across the country.

Key Features

• Built-in usage meter lets you know how many megabytes you have left in your Broadband2Go Plan. Your Broadband2Go account page will automatically appear whenever you plug the USB device into your computer. Your megabyte balance will be displayed right on that page. You can also check your account anytime by logging into My Account.
• EVDO Rev A technology for fast data transfers
• Integrated microSD slot provides flexible memory storage options without hindering your Internet connection performance; compatible with cards up to 8 GB in size.
• NovaSpeed enhances broadband connections by allowing simultaneous upload and download, online gaming, video streaming, GPS maps and large file transfers with virtually no interruptions or buffering
• Compatibility: Windows XP, Windows Vista; Windows 7; Mac OS X, 10.3 and higher

What's in the Box
Broadband2Go USB Device, quickstart guide, lanyard

Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go Pricing

Customer Review:When the service works, it works pretty well and it is one of the cheaper ways of getting on-line in the US.

On Ubuntu Linux 10.4, this device just plugs in and works.

On Windows 7, it goes through endless gyrations in order to install several software packages when plugged in. Furthermore, if the Windows 7 interface language is not set to English, the install fails entirely with an obscure error message; although friendly, Virgin Mobile support couldn't help. Apparently, Virgin Mobile has known about this problem for more than a year but isn't doing anything to fix it. It's frustrating and a time waster.

It turns out that the device can be installed on non-English versions by going into the control panel, changing the language to English temporarily, installing it, then changing it back to whatever you like it to be.

I give the device four stars only because, once installed, it's a good service at a decent price and I hope other companies will come out with similar offerings. However, in terms of hardware and software support, Virgin Mobile really needs to improve.

Buy Novatel Ovation MC760 Broadband2Go Prepaid USB Modem (Virgin Mobile) from Amazon.com