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Pre-paid MiFi router- the ultimate iPad accessory!

Does anyone have an experience with Virgin Mobile? I was going to get the usb version for my MBP and now I saw this but Im not sure how good the service is?
 
I've been hoping for something like this; wish the prepaid access didn't have such quick expiration dates though. I wouldn't mind overpaying a bit for access if I could buy a 5 GB card that was good for three to six months from activation, for example, instead of only 30 days. I'm afraid I just won't use it often enough to justify the upfront cost.

I'm still tempted to go the whole JB and MyWi route with my iPhone, just because I'd barely use it enough for AT&T to even notice, let alone care. I'll be watching this for now though, see if anyone puts a sale price on it at some point.
 
this thing would be awesome to have if it did 3g ass well as 4g. 10$ for 100mb is a good deal as well. Perfect for the times you need some quick net access to upload a document or something.
 
this is awesome news! for people who travel a lot, or for college kids like myself, sometimes i go on trips with friends haveing a reliable internet connection is not always easy to come by. i'm sure i'll buy this eventually.
 
Does anyone think their online service coverage map is reliabe? If it is this would be perfect for school where they block the wifi from private devices.
 
Not such an good service in the UK. They use O2's crappy overused network. If you want a really good Mifi device go for this
http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/MiFi_plus_iPod_bundle

Three have recently spent millions of pounds upgrading their network and now how the best HSPDA / HSUDA network out there. Your talking download speeds of around 5mb and upload of 1.4.

There are two options prepay and payasyougo. I got the pay as you go version and its cheep to run 15 quid for 3gb isnt bad 25quid for 7gb is great!
 
gan6660 said:
Does anyone think their online service coverage map is reliabe? If it is this would be perfect for school where they block the wifi from private devices.
Click to expand...
They use Sprint so if you have Sprint coverage, you have Virgin Mobile coverage.

nusynergy said:
Not such an good service in the UK. They use O2's crappy overused network. If you want a really good Mifi device go for this
http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/MiFi_plus_iPod_bundle

Three have recently spent millions of pounds upgrading their network and now how the best HSPDA / HSUDA network out there. Your talking download speeds of around 5mb and upload of 1.4.

There are two options prepay and payasyougo. I got the pay as you go version and its cheep to run 15 quid for 3gb isnt bad 25quid for 7gb is great!
Click to expand...
Virgin Mobile US != Virgin Mobile UK. In the US, Virgin Mobile is just a prepaid version of Sprint.
 
In Australia I purchased the virgin huawei wifi pre-paid wireless broadband for my iPad and I'm more than happy with it
 
nusynergy said:
Not such an good service in the UK. They use O2's crappy overused network. If you want a really good Mifi device go for this
http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/MiFi_plus_iPod_bundle

Three have recently spent millions of pounds upgrading their network and now how the best HSPDA / HSUDA network out there. Your talking download speeds of around 5mb and upload of 1.4.

There are two options prepay and payasyougo. I got the pay as you go version and its cheep to run 15 quid for 3gb isnt bad 25quid for 7gb is great!
Click to expand...

You can have those speeds on O2 as well - the problem is you need a contract SIM provisioned with APN mobile.o2.co.uk then change the username to bypass. Unfortunately the iPad SIM is not provisioned this way meaning your speed will be severly restricted and the resolution of images heavily down sized. I don't understand why O2 choose to do this - deliberately destructive.
 
...

I have bee looking for a way to access data during a trio in september to Disney. I dint want to bring my macbook and they only have Ethernet available in the room and it's $10 per day. No wifi is available anywhere and since i am from Canada i can't really access the AT&T data network on my iphone without ridiculous fees. I thought this may be a solution but the price is too high unless you are on a very long trip or are a business customer
 
I think I'll be buying one. So I can use my ipad at work and avoid using the overly restricted work network. Plus when I study, I have more freedom of where I go now.

Not for full time use, but at least it'll be when and how much I need it. And when I travel, I can share it with my girlfriend.
 
newdeal said:
I have bee looking for a way to access data during a trio in september to Disney. I dint want to bring my macbook and they only have Ethernet available in the room and it's $10 per day. No wifi is available anywhere and since i am from Canada i can't really access the AT&T data network on my iphone without ridiculous fees. I thought this may be a solution but the price is too high unless you are on a very long trip or are a business customer
Click to expand...

You might check to see if someone is renting them.... I'd probably still do it so that you weren't locked into using the room stuff. You could use it with your iPhone and Skype too while out and about...

Of course, it probably has to be set up before use via a computer, so that might be a problem anyway.

Gee, maybe I should rent them to tourists :D (kidding, I couldn't afford to buy one myself right now!)
 
My local best buy had them so I grabbed one. Basically for what others have mentioend, part time use when needed. I wish they gave you more than 30 days to use the data, but I'll buy the smaller chunks anyway. Pretty excited to use this with my wifi iPad, iPhone 4 (facetime) and work laptop if needed!
 
robd54 said:
My local best buy had them so I grabbed one. Basically for what others have mentioend, part time use when needed. I wish they gave you more than 30 days to use the data, but I'll buy the smaller chunks anyway. Pretty excited to use this with my wifi iPad, iPhone 4 (facetime) and work laptop if needed!
Click to expand...

So what are the plan prices like? Have you tried it out yet?
 
robd54 said:
My local best buy had them so I grabbed one. Basically for what others have mentioend, part time use when needed. I wish they gave you more than 30 days to use the data, but I'll buy the smaller chunks anyway. Pretty excited to use this with my wifi iPad, iPhone 4 (facetime) and work laptop if needed!
Click to expand...

Yeah how is it?

This is exactly why I want to pick up one. Want to use my iPad, iPod Touch, and Macbook Pro on the go.
 
The plans are

$10-100mb for 10 days
$20-300mb for 30 days
$40-1gb for 30 days
$60-5gb for 30 days

Service is good depending on how Sprint service is in your area. You don't have to use a credit card you can get top off cards at BestBuy. Also when your time or data amount runs out it turns off so no overage fees.

I have been using the USB stick with a wifi router that works with it to share it with my laptop and iPad. It has worked great on trips so far as well as the few times I have needed it around town. Would have gotten one of these if it had been an option at the time.
 
The nice thing with the MiFi is that you can use up to 5 devices at once on it.
I have the Sprint Overdrive and when my cable went out yesterday, 3 kids starting yelling to me and in 60 seconds they were all back online. They are very handy.

Kenal0
 
robd54 said:
My local best buy had them so I grabbed one. Basically for what others have mentioend, part time use when needed. I wish they gave you more than 30 days to use the data, but I'll buy the smaller chunks anyway. Pretty excited to use this with my wifi iPad, iPhone 4 (facetime) and work laptop if needed!
Click to expand...

Hmmm...hadn't thought about Facetime with it! I'd be interested to hear how well that works.

I might take a run down to Best Buy this weekend, see if they have them available yet.
 
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