Since last year, Virgin Mobile Broadband plans (marketed as Broadband2Go) have expanded from two to three plans with a subsequent price increase on their *unlimited mobile broadband plan.
You read correct, that’s one of those pesky asterisks next to unlimited mobile broadband. Here’s the catch:
Virgin Mobile reserves the right, without notice, to temporarily limit throughput speeds when monthly data usage on the $50 Broadband2Go Plan exceeds 2.5GB.
Customers will continue to have access to Broadband2Go service but maximum speeds may be limited to 256kbps [0.2 Mbps] or below for the remainder of the monthly plan cycle. During this time, customers may experience slower page loads, file downloads and degraded streaming media.
Throughput speeds will be restored when a new Broadband2Go plan is purchased. Data usage per activity is based on an average. Actual usage varies depending on the types of websites, video, email and other internet applications accessed. State and local taxes and fees may apply.
Like T-Mobile, Virgin Mobile considers a service unlimited even if they throttle your speed to render it useless for media rich online applications (i.e. YouTube, streaming music, Skype, etc).
Will My Speeds Be Throttled?
It all depends on how much you use each month.The first step is to find out how much data you normally use.
To do so, there are some handy calculators out there. Verizon and AT&T’s are noteworthy. Alternatively, check out How Much Is 5 GB and Is It Enough for more reading on the topic.
These calculators will also be very helpful in figuring out whether an occasional use plan of 500 MB and 100 MB would also serve you best for $20 and $10 respectively. This would be the ideal situation if using Virgin Mobile’s Broadband2Go as a backup connection or only vacations.
Speaking of speed, just how fast is Virgin mobile broadband speed when it’s not being throttled?
Next, Virgin Mobile 3G Speed
Also in this review:
Virgin Mobile Broadband Review
Virgin Mobile Broadband Plans
Virgin Mobile Broadband 3G Speed
Virgin Mobile Broadband 3G Coverage
Virgin Mobile Broadband Cards & Mobile Hotspots
