Virgin Media mobile broadband
Virgin Media customers can bundle mobile internet with their home broadband, phone and cable TV...
Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) currently offers two mobile broadband packages, one with a 1GB download allowance and the second with a 3GB monthly limit.
Both come with a choice of either a free USB modem on an 18-month contract, or a more flexible two-month plan and an upfront charge of £24.99 for your dongle. Out-of-bundle downloads cost less than a few pence per MB, or you can pay extra for a data add-on.
Virgin Media mobile broadband can be used abroad, though you will have to call 0845 6000 789 to activate roaming, and different roaming charges will be applied depending on where you use your dongle overseas.
Virgin Media mobile broadband benefits
You could say that Virgin Media offers the ultimate in bundling, allowing customers to choose from a selection of services covering superfast broadband, digital TV, home telephone calls, mobile phone plans and mobile broadband.
As well as the convenience of being able to bundle your mobile broadband with a host of other services, you get a discount of 20% when you buy mobile broadband with home broadband or a Virgin Media bundle.
Virgin Media mobile broadband coverage
Virgin Media currently has over 85% of the UK covered by its 3G network, though you should check the signal in your area using its coverage checker before signing up.
If you take out a Virgin Media contract and then find that you have poor coverage, you can return your mobile broadband dongle and cancel your contract within 28 days.
Our expert's verdict
Michael Phillips, managing director of broadbandchoices, said: "If you're thinking about signing up to one of Virgin Media's mobile broadband packages, then its far better to pay for your dongle upfront and have the option to switch to a new package without being tied in for 18 months.
"While Virgin Media's mobile broadband pricing isn't the most competitive on the market - Three (www.Three.co.uk) offers more data for your money - it does give a 20% discount to customers bundling their package with other products, and has won awards for its service."
