Virgin Mobile is releasing a 4G hotspot and USB dongle that will work with the carrier’s $35 unlimited data plans. Toss in the fact that as with anything on Virgin Mobile, there’s no contracts involved, this is definitely a deal worth checking out.
In early May, Virgin Mobile announced that it would start selling the HTC Evo V 4G which would run on Sprint’s WiMAX network, but still use its own unlimited 4G data plans. Since a phone was utilizing Sprint’s 4G network, the next logical step is a hotspot and USB stick for mobile broadband users. Well, those have both arrived.
Starting May 31st, Virgin Mobile will begin selling the Overdrive Pro 3G/4G wireless hotspot for $149 and U600 3G/4G USB dongle for $99. You’ll be able to pair one of two monthly data plans with them. The first is the standard $35 per month option that will included unlimited access to Clear’s 4G WiMAX network and 2GB of 3G data for when you’re outside of the 4G coverage zone. For $55 per month, you get the same unlimited 4G data but with 5GB of monthly 3G data.
Now you might know by now that “unlimited” never truly means unlimited. Virgin Mobile’s version of that word is 10GB of 4G data. After that, prepare to start feeling the throttle. 10GB of 4G data shouldn’t be a problem for very many people though, especially with the added 3G thrown in.
Be sure that if you decide to take advantage of these hotspot and USB dongle plans, you check Clear’s WiMAX coverage map to make sure you’re in the clear — heh, see what I did there? — for 4G access.