I have used Virgin Mobile's Broadband2go USB connection device several times over the past year.  In all cases, I am impressed with how easy it is to connect to the Internet - basically anywhere I want.   I also enjoy paying only for the coverage I need, with no contracts.  For light Internet users who just need occasional 3G coverage, this system might be just what's needed.  But heavy users who require lots of usage might do better looking for cheaper options.

Broadband2go is Virgin Mobile's way of providing cellular access to the Internet.  Users must make a one-time purchase for their USB modem.  In my case, the model is the Novatel Wireless Ovation MC760.  This is a small device - think flash drive.  Mine came with a protective cover and a lanyard that holds your cover and your device.  While designed to provide a convenient way to carry the device, it's also nice not to worry about losing the cover.  The device was $79 at Best Buy.  The device is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, and 7. 

Once you own the device, the next step is to install the software.  This is truly a no-brainer experience.  Plug the device into your laptop, and the software installs itself.  A few minutes later you're ready to go.  But first you have to purchase access.  Right now, they are only offering two plans:

For $10 you get 10 days of access, up to 100mb of data.  How much access that really buys you is hard to say.  According to the Virgin Mobile page, you should be able to surf the web for 5 hours or read 10,000 emails.  In my own experience, the 100mb will last a fairly long time, at least 5 hours, if all I'm doing is light surfing and reading emails.  But online web content is getting very rich.  YouTube videos, radio streams, flash images, etc, all of these can use up your 100mb fairly quickly.  So this option is really for the user who just needs a fairly small burst of Internet access. 

The other plan available right now costs $50 and gets you unlimited data transfer, for 30 days.  In other words, you can think of this service as costing $50 a month, if you want constant access. 

When I first bought the device, they offered several additional options, one of which was a $20 option that gave 350mb for 10 days.   That was the plan I purchased most of the time.  I'm bummed that they eliminated that one. 

How do you pay for access? Well, you have a few options.  I attached a credit card to my Virgin Mobile account.  All I have to do is check off which plan I'm purchasing (at this time, either the $10 or $50 plan) and the charge goes on my credit card.  If you don't wish to provide debit or credit card information, you can purchase Virgin Mobile access cards, either online, or at Best Buy or other electronics stores.  Using these cards is as simple as using gift cards for online purchases, you simply enter the card's access code.  The third option is to use Virgin Mobile's "top up" system - which is basically an account you set up with them to which you can add funds.

Any time you are using the device, a small window is available on your desktop.  It shows you how many megabytes your current session is using, and there are bars indicating the signal strength.  A browser window also opens, showing your Virgin Mobile account - how much access you've purchased, and how many megabytes (and days) you have left.

Where can you use this service?  Well, pretty much anywhere Sprint has coverage since Virgin Mobile uses Sprint's EVDO Rev A data network.  Coverage includes 4300 cities and 480 airports across the US.  Where have I used the service?  Well, I purchased it originally when I was vacationing in the mountains of Vermont, in a home that had no Internet access.  Since then, I've used it in a national park, and at many airports.  I'm even using it right this minute, while sitting at a public pool.  I have never tried to use it, and been unable to connect.  That's the good news.

The bad news: the speed isn't all it's cracked up to be.  Virgin Mobile tells us that as long as you are receiving coverage, you will experience upload/download speeds similar to DSL.  They tell us that average download speeds are 600-1400 Kbps, and that average upload speeds are 350-500 Kbps.  My experience is that speeds are in that range, but tend to be towards the lower end.  Without a doubt, service is quite a bit slower than with my AT&T U-Verse service at home. Still, it beats the dial-up system that I used to use, before I owned this device!

For those rare times that I don't have Internet access, and want it, this system meets my needs.  I love being able to purchase only the amount of access I need, and that I don't have to make any long-term commitments.  The device, itself, is sturdy, and has never let me down.  My only cautions would be for heavy Internet users - people who require constant 3g coverage.  They should explore cheaper options than this one.  Also, the speed in my experience is acceptable, but not great.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 79
Driver Availability: Windows only