Virgin Mobile Rolls Out Prepaid Broadband

Virgin Mobile is bringing its prepaid service to the mobile broadband market.

Its data service, which will be called Broadband2Go, offers users a pay-as-you-go way for 3G access on the go. Using Sprint Nextel's EV-DO Rev. A network, Virgin Mobile offers nationwide mobile data access through a $149 Novatel USB broadband modem that can be purchased exclusively from Best Buy.

There are no activation charges for the broadband services, and users can purchase data packages that range from $10 to $60. These packages include between 100 MB and 1 GB of mobile data, and Virgin Mobile has an online portal that helps users keep track of how much data they have left. Unlike mobile broadband plans from AT&T, Verizon Wireless, and Sprint, Virgin Mobile does not have overage fees, as the service redirects to a purchase page when a user hits their limit.

"Forget the long-term contracts, monthly bills, or desperately seeking a local coffee shop for Wi-Fi. Prepaid mobile broadband is ideal for students, families on the go, freelancers, or anyone who needs wireless Internet access and wants to pay only when they use it," said Bob Stohrer, chief marketing officer for Virgin Mobile, in a statement.

The company said it does not expect many to rely on this service for full-time Internet connection, but it will instead serve as an augmentation to a customer's connections at home and work. Virgin Mobile is not the only prepaid provider that offers broadband services, as Cricket is offering a $40 mobile data service that is meant to be a home Internet replacement.

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