Virgin Mobile Broadband Speed
Prepaid Mobile Broadband Review
Virgin mobile broadband speed is the same as Sprint's. Average downloads of 600-1400 Kbps and 350-500 Kbps uploads. Bursts get up to 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and 1.8 Mbps on the uplink.Here's the ultra short one-liner:
Virgin mobile broadband speed is the same as Sprint mobile broadband.
Why You Ask?
Virgin doesn't own their own mobile broadband network. They are simply reselling /rebranding/repackaging Sprint's existing service.
This isn't new.
As a matter of fact, Readybroadband, another prepaid mobile broadband carrier, does the same exact thing.
It's almost like the relationship between Hondas & Acuras.
It's the same engine underneath the hood but just a different exterior (for the uninitiated, they're owned by the same company).
To drive the car analogy a bit further (I couldn't help it), Lexus is basically a Toyota in some nice clothes and a fresh shave. Same engine though since Toyota makes Lexus.
So What's Different Then?
Well, a couple things actually. While Sprint provides long-term 2 year/1 year contracts. On the flip side, Virgin's Broadband2Go are small stints of mobile broadband without the contract. Naturally, they're selling convenience. As with anything in that category, you will pay extra for it (just like buying last minute duty-free at the airport).
So How Fast Is It?
Virgin mobile broadband speed (via the Sprint mobile broadband network) will give you:
"average download speeds of 600-1400 Kbps, peaking at 3.1 Mbps, and 350-500 Kbps average upload speeds, peaking at 1.8 Mbps. Similar to DSL, and about ten times faster than using a dial-up modem".
- Sprint.com
Naturally, real-world speeds vary. As I've documented with Sprint, sometimes speeds can burst anywhere from 2 - 3 Mbps (above average DSL speeds) to the lower end of 500 Kbps (DSL extra light). Nevertheless, at least it's not dialup.
This speed test finds the same to be true:
Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go Speed Test
At 1013 Kbps (0.99 Mbps) downloading and 450 Kbps (0.44 Mbps) uploading, Virgin Mobile's Broadband2Go matches up perfectly with Sprint 3G Speeds.
Sidenote: The reviewer doesn't get to the results till 5 mins & 15 seconds.
To get a good feel of what speeds are like, the best thing is to see what you have now.
Then you'll be able to relate whether Virgin mobile broadband speed will be faster or slower than what you are already used to.
Use this tool by Speedtest.net below to find out:
As I share in "Mobile Broadband Buyer's Guide", sometimes your best bet after checking speed & coverage is to simply take it for a test run. Naturally, we go through what you need to know in the first 5 lessons before doing that.
For now, let's talk about where you can use it.
It's very important to know that even though Virgin is 'borrowing' Sprint's network, the Virgin Mobile Broadband 3G coverage is not the same.
