Virgin Mobile getting contract-free data card next month

Were it not for Helio, Virgin wouldn't be a carrier that we'd associate with anything other than the most basic handsets -- and data cards certainly don't seem like they'd be on any company exec's mind. Thing is, direct competitor Cricket recently got into this game with a $40 unlimited contract-free data plan, so it's a segment that's getting more difficult to ignore -- even in the most heavily value-weighted side of the business. We've nabbed a screen shot out of Best Buy's inventory system that shows a "Broadband 2GO" device (at least, we think that's what it says) scheduled to hit shelves on June 14 for $149.99 -- not the cheapest modem in the world, but again, there's no contract involved here. Data is data, so if the reception's good and the speeds are decent, why not?

[Thanks, anonymous tipster]

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 6:02PM]

the data is going to be capped at 250MB.

[missingNo Posted May 22nd 2009 6:20PM]

Well, called Best Buy Mobile here... turns out there may be a $9/day package for this little beast. They also mentioned being a 'test store' for this product and said to expect it on the 16th.

[dallashigh Posted May 22nd 2009 6:28PM]

$9 a day? That's not bad considering I don't tether very often... certainly less than 6 days a month ($9 * 6 = about what the Big 4 charge monthly for data card access).

[(Unverified) Posted May 23rd 2009 9:22AM]

That thing is gonna be $60 for one gig. Why not soend the same $60 for 5 gig?

[dallashigh Posted May 23rd 2009 10:40PM]

Because maybe you only use your data card twice a month, in absolute emergencies.

Lots of people have occasional emergencies, but can't afford to spend $60 a month for 5 gigs when they only use it twice a month and use 30MB.

[(Unverified) Posted May 22nd 2009 11:46PM]

I knew the they were coming out with that for about a month and a half via something the company sent me

[(Unverified) Posted May 24th 2009 11:36AM]

I still don't understand why no carrier in the states offer a pre-paid data service. Buy 1 GB and you have XX days to use it at your leisure. Just like a prepaid voice plan.

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 11:20AM]

Virgin mobile's data card prices have unveiled.. take a look below is the link to the story

http://gizmocry.blogspot.com/2009/05/virgin-mobile-broadband-card-prepaid.html

[(Unverified) Posted May 26th 2009 11:22AM]

Oops...! sorry I forgot to mention its prepaid card prices have unveiled..follow the link
http://gizmocry.blogspot.com/2009/05/virgin-mobile-broadband-card-prepaid.html

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 19th 2009 2:25AM]

Check out the Verizon Daypass system. MUCH more economical -- especially for bandwidth intensive uses. http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?p=12714383