| Virgin up'd my B2B throttle speed to 5GB's for $50 unlimited Just for the record guys, I have had my MiFi2200 for about 6 months now, and although my dl speeds fluctuate up and down greatly, I'm kinda happy with it. 
Last month, they upgraded my plan automatically to Unlimited for $50, the same that I did have, only I have a 5GB limit before they throttle back, not the 2.5GB that was before. They now added the 5GB plan on the site when you go there to purchase your plan. At least it's on mine. Maybe because I use anywhere from 8 to 15 MB's a month.
I'd like it if my dl speeds would be a bit better though. I have 5 bars all the time, even in bad weather, with a Netgear WNDA3100v2 USB adapter, which is about 8" from the MiFi2200, but my dl speeds go from 140 Kb's down to sometimes down to 8 Kb's in seconds, then up again. Would like it to be a little more consistent, maybe around 100 Kb's when I dl a 150MB file.
If anyone has any suggestions howI can get a more stable DL speed, they would be much appreciated.
Those of you that have the Virgin MiFi should check it out.
L8r |
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| Virgin Mobile has a lower priority on towers. SPRINT customers using voice and data hace priority.
140 kb/s equates to a little over 1mpbs, so you're lucky!!
said by Matt S :Just for the record guys, I have had my MiFi2200 for about 6 months now, and although my dl speeds fluctuate up and down greatly, I'm kinda happy with it.
Last month, they upgraded my plan automatically to Unlimited for $50, the same that I did have, only I have a 5GB limit before they throttle back, not the 2.5GB that was before. They now added the 5GB plan on the site when you go there to purchase your plan. At least it's on mine. Maybe because I use anywhere from 8 to 15 MB's a month.
I'd like it if my dl speeds would be a bit better though. I have 5 bars all the time, even in bad weather, with a Netgear WNDA3100v2 USB adapter, which is about 8" from the MiFi2200, but my dl speeds go from 140 Kb's down to sometimes down to 8 Kb's in seconds, then up again. Would like it to be a little more consistent, maybe around 100 Kb's when I dl a 150MB file.
If anyone has any suggestions howI can get a more stable DL speed, they would be much appreciated.
Those of you that have the Virgin MiFi should check it out.
L8r
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 dib22
join:2002-01-27
Kansas City, MO | reply to Matt S
Did you buy your mifi at radio shack by any chance? The reason I ask is that an earlier post mentioned when they bought their mifi at radio shack they had the 5 GB option.
I have a sprint and a virgin mobile card side by side and they are both having wild fluctuations... can't wait for them to run the enhanced backhaul everywhere  |
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| the sprintowers website said that we're due "1 data upgrade" here within 6 months...
the tower here is shared with Verizon, so that probably just means another t-1 line ran to the tower. |
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| reply to dib22
said by dib22:I have a sprint and a virgin mobile card side by side and they are both having wild fluctuations... can't wait for them to run the enhanced backhaul everywhere Dunno what "enhanced backhaul" means but I'd welcome any improvements myself--we got Sprint iPhones (with "unlimited data") and for data they seem as-slow-if-not-slower than VM, at least out here in the country. |
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Reviews:
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·Virgin Mobile Br..
·Charter
·HughesNet Satell..
·Millenicom
| Isn't that AT&T's catch phrase? LOL
said by laserfan  Dunno what "enhanced backhaul"means but I'd welcome any improvements myself--we got Sprint iPhones (with "unlimited data") and for data they seem as-slow-if-not-slower than VM, at least out here in the country.
[/BQUOTE : |
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| reply to Matt S
ToL Computguybna
I wouldn't mind so much if the DL speeds didn't fluctuate so drastically. According to their site, I should be getting 600-1400 kbps download, and it's not even close to that.
I tried to DL a driver update for my videocard the other night at 1:00 in the morning, 158 MB, and it jumped all over the place, and said it would take 5+ hours. I don't know about you guys, but I sure don't call that broadband speed!  (
The speed dropped so low that the file didn't even complete! I got up the next day, and had to DL it, the WHOLE think again... from the start, at about 9 AM, and it only took around an hour.
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm |
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| reply to dib22
No, I didn't. I purchased it at Walmart, but VM didn't have the 5GB unlimited plan when I signed up. They put me on it about 2 months ago for the same price I was paying for the 2.5GB unlimited... automatically. I'm thinking because my usage run aourn 10GB's a month.. and maybe because I'm calling them every month about the DL speeds. Supposed to have recomfigured my settings at their end to increase my speed, but it still fluctuates immensely, no matter what time of the day. |
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| reply to Matt S
BTW... I'm "anon"
And, also.... I live in the burbs, not in hicksville, but far enough so that I'm not IN town, but about 15 minutes from a large city.... AND, the tower is 5 miles from my residence... AND, I use the MiFi and Netgear USB adapter on a "DESKTOP", so it don't change locations like you guys going mobile with it. |
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| reply to Matt S
my mifi 2200 bought a walmart plan still says $50 unlimited but only 3G for the first 2.5GB in back office. 3G speeds never really get above 45KBs Ok for video and skype video.
What is strange is the upload at sometimes is twice the speed of DL when doing a speed test...
It drops to 14KBs to 28KBs after 2.5GB threashold so can't really watch videos without buffering for at least 5 min and pages with a lot of flash are slow to load first visit. There are Sprint Towers all around me and it is the same no matter where I go...
I'm hoping that 4G will take the load off of 3G and give me more speed with lower latency Ping average between 445 -675 that's high.
I have had this VMB2Go for severl years now I considering buying the Verizon Mifi 4G prepaid I saw yesturday but not sure if its unlimited or capped?
VM Sprint you need to pick up the Speed or loose us... |
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| reply to Matt S
Here's one more thing I just thought of.... They also say that you can break the 54.0MB connection speed if you change the security from WPA to WPA2, but I did that, and it didn't!
My Netgear adapter will support 802.11N, but VM's MiFi devices only do 802.11G. So, even though my adapter WOULD or SHOULD give me higher than the 54.0MB connection speed, unless VM will allow N, I don't think anyone can get more than 54.0MB's, but VM still insists that you can.
Feedback is always welcome if you got any suggestions or experiences how to up that 54MB speed, and/or increase the DL speeds so that they would me more consistent.
Thanks much guys. |
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| reply to Matt S
Sorry, just thought of 1 more thing that maybe you guys or girls :\) may have some input about.
I'm thinking that in Windows 7, either the MiFi or the adapter is reading a Windows connection setup instead of the MiFi or adapters settings?
The Netgear adapter comes with software, and its updated to the latest edition, and the MiFi obviously come with its own firmware; i.e. you plug it in the first time and set it up, BUT... I'm wondering if it doesn't stop the Windows settings when you set it all up?
I think I read somewhere on the Net that there was some setting that you had to stop or disallow or override.. something like that, that's in Windows!!! Some setting(s) that you needed to change if you wanted to get above the 54 MB connect speed.
I have the little icon in the systray, opens up the Wireless connections that it finds, and there is my MiFi. I'm wondering if you have to somehow not use that??? With the Netgear software, it puts a program on your computer that, I THINK, you're supposed to use to connect???
Any one got any ideas? |
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| reply to Matt S
Okay... nevernind! I found out what I was asking. eek! Sorry.
I was right with the Wireless-N theory, NOT the Windows settings. Although... I did find something about changing the WMM, whatever THAT is, but it's a Windows setting that sorta-kinda sets up your access, BUT... unless VM puts out a wireless device that supports N, then we're all doomed to the 54 MB connect speed.
VM's MiFi device supports 802.11b/g but not N. That kinda stinks, huh? In this age of tech savvy, a company is so lagging behind in upgrading their stuff.
I mean, b/g.. wow....!!!
Wireless has been around for awhile, youi'd think that they would catch up. Maybe in the 22nd. Century, eh? |
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| reply to whatsayu
You might want to check, but I'm pretty sure Verizon has a cap. Actually, unless your using your mobile phone, which some DO have an unlimited plan, and even THOSE are few, most of the BB2G have a cap. Pretty sure Veriozn is one, AT&T (ewwww!) is another. I actually had 3 USB connections with AT&T, before I got the VM, and all 3 had 5MB caps... and may I add.... AT FRIGGIN' $60 A MOBTH FOR EACH ONE!!! If you go over that, not only do they throttle you, but they charge you $10 PER MB or part!!
I'm sticking with VM. They may have crappy tech support, and the speeds ain't great, but at least.. they still have an unlimited plan that ain't gonna cost you an arm and 2 legs! :0)
I'm just hoping that VM will put out a new device that'll support Wireless-N.... can you say... yipeeeeeeeee! |
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| reply to Matt S
I saw that netzero is now stocking the mifi looks the same as VM I thinks its $99 to buy the device at walmart. There is a free 100 mb service each month with a no plan - so that's a differant way to catch market share... (at leat I thinks its netzero or could be WM own device they are launching maybe?) will have to look again next time to see for sure...
but they are pricy when you look at the plans for heavy user. look on there netzero site for plans.
if VMBB2GO ever gives up the unlimited plans they are toast with all the new companys approching the market as riders. Sprint has a lot of coast to obsorb as they upgrade the towers to there new antennas... |
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| reply to whatsayu
Crap! Was gonna answer your question and forgot.
If you have an account with VM, login to your account page where you prepay your bill. You SHOULD see 4 plans listed there.
1. $10 plan
2. $20 plan
3. $50 plan (unlimited 2.5GB)
4. $50 plan (unlimited 5GB)
If you don't, call them up and ask about it.
You didn't hear this from me though, okay? :0)
Maybe I'm just special.
I actually called them up and asked about it, why they changed my plan, and tehy told me that it IS a new plan they added, so check it out. |
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| reply to whatsayu
MetroPCS anyone? I know this isn't on the topic, well.. maybe a little.
If you guys have MetroPCS around you, you might want to look into them. They MAY still have the deal that I got with them.
NO.... it's not a SMARTphone, it's kind of a DUMB-SMARTphone. P
Here's the deal I got:
4 phones, paid for, I think $60 each. Touch screen! Unlimited Talk-Text-Data for $100 a month TOTAL cost. NO taxes and fees and crap! $100 bucks for 4 unlimited phones.
I think it cost me like around a bit over $300. I got me, wife, daughter and son-in-law each a phone.
Don't think you can beat the price! Works out to $25 per phone for unlimited everything, and you can add stuff to it too. |
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| reply to whatsayu
Re: NetZero That's not a good deal! I remember them from the 1990's when they had "FREE" dialup, problem was (1)Ads all over the place when you were surfing, and (2)They went from "FREE" to charging $10 a month.
Here's the skinny on it.
"free" wireless broadband service - at least until a year is up.
NetZero will offer a pair of plans, ranging from the "free" 1-Mbit connection up to a $49.95, 10-Mbit connection, that users can try out free for one year.
To use the service and take advantage of the free service, however, customers must buy one if the hardware options the company provides: either a $99.95 NetZero 4G HotSpot, or a USB dongle, the $49.95 netZero 4G Stick.
NetZero divides its plans not by speed, but by the amount of data consumed: $9.95 per month for 500MB, $19.95 for 1GB, $34.95 for 2GB, and $49.95 for 4GB. There are no activation fees.
NetZero divides its plans not by speed, but by the amount of data consumed: $9.95 per month for 500MB, $19.95 for 1GB, $34.95 for 2GB, and $49.95 for 4GB. There are no activation fees. NetZero said that there will be no overage charges; users will receive an alert as they near their limit, allowing them to "top up" with extra data, upgrade to a higher data plan, or simply wait until the next billing cycle. Subscribers can buy Top Ups in the amount of 250MB for $6.95 or 1GB for $19.95
PCMag found the NetZero hotspot to be a large, bulky box, but one that contained a battery big enough for over six hours of battery life and a large, easy-to-read LCD.
So,
1. you CAN try their service for "FREE", but experience with them from the 90's with them alerts me to something in the "fine print", and you only get to try their 1 Mbit connection.
2. you hae to buy one of their devices; albeit not as much as VM's.
3. their BEST plan is $50 for 4 GB's cap. With VM, you get UNLIMITED for the SAME price.
4. You can "top-up" at 1 GB with both for the SAME $20.
5. VM's device is small and lightweight, and fits in your pocket or wherever conviently to move around. NZ is a large, bulky box.
6. I didn't see any mention of connecting more than 1 device to their so-called "hotspot", VM you can connect up to 5 devices... for the same $50 a month.
Think about it!!!
Pay $50 for only 1 device to connect, and get 4 GB's of data.....
OR...
Pay $50 for 5 devices to connect, and get UNLIMITED
date.....
I can have me, the wife, both the grand kids and some stranger on VM's device for 1/5th. of what it would cost to connect the same amount of devices with NetZero.
Don't sound like much of a good deal to me. I LOVE unlimited, and even if I gotta upt up with the slower dl's and fluctuating speeds, VM STILL has the best deal so far. |
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dib22
join:2002-01-27
Kansas City, MO | reply to compuguybna
Re: Virgin up'd my B2B throttle speed to 5GB's for $50 unlimited Yea I guess it's att's marketing lingo for bringing the backhaul up to 2009 standards 
I should have called it "data speed upgrades". |
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dib22
join:2002-01-27
Kansas City, MO | reply to Matt S
said by Matt S :Feedback is always welcome if you got any suggestions or experiences how to up that 54MB speed, and/or increase the DL speeds so that they would me more consistent.
The max EVDO can ever send to your mifi is 3.1mbit so even if you connected at a wifi rate of 100mbit the bottleneck is the EVDO itself.
The only advantages you would have connecting at a higher wifi rate would be sending files between machines on the local side... that is from one laptop to another both connected to the mifi |
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