Virgin Mobile Broadband
Virgin Mobile is an affiliate of the giant Virgin Media since early 2007. It is not a telecoms company on its own like O2 or Vodaphone. Rather, it is actually classified as a “mobile virtual network operator or MVNO – a company that uses a Telco’s network of its mobile phone and broadband service which in Virgin’s case is T-Mobile. It was, in fact, the world’s first MVNO when it launched in 1999. But it was the last to get into the 3G band wagon, offering the service in the UK starting last October.
It offers only one USB broadband dongle, limited monthly postpaid plans and no pay-as-you-go plan. Its bundled broadband service with a laptop is rather late in coming but is unique. Rather than offering Toshibas or Samsungs like other mobile network operators do, Virgin is opting to put out its own brand with the Virgin Media Freedom Netbook for just 20 per month on a package that has 10 GB download limit with fixed line broadband and telephone.
Its advantage lies in the fact that it is positioned within the Virgin Media Quadplay package that offers cable TV, telephone, fixed line cable broadband and mobile phone services. The mobile broadband service should put it as a 5th service, but we don’t see a Virgin Media Quintoplay forthcoming anytime soon.
Virgin’s Post Paid Plan
Virgin Mobile offers a monthly payment scheme on a couple of Post Paid plans. You can opt to get a 1 GB download limit on its 12-month post paid contract at a special price of ₤5 when you buy with L or XL cable broadband. Or get a larger 3 GB download limit for 18 months at ₤15 per month. In either plans you get a free broadband dongle with a 3GB download allowance and advertised speeds up to 1.8Mb.
Why Choose Virgin Mobile
- There are no connection fees.
- The sleek black and silver socket is the same Huawei E116 used by T-Mobile that’s compatible with either Mac or PC. It has a socket for external antenna for improved mobile reception and a microSD slot that makes it a flash drive in one.
- Virgin uses the T-Mobile network, so you can be confident about its coverage across much of the UK. You just won’t get access to T-mobile’s Wi-Fi hotspots.
There’s a 6-month half price on all Post-Paid contracts.
