Mobile Broadband

With mobile broadband you're connected to the internet through our 3G mobile phone network which covers over 85% of the UK. So whether you want to check your Facebook profile in the park, catch up with your emails on the train or stick a bid on eBay from the pub, just plug the USB Modem into your laptop and away you go. And of course, with Virgin Media you'll be getting mobile broadband from the people who brought you the mother of all broadband.

How fast can I go?

With Mobile Broadband from Virgin Media, you can whizz along at speeds of up to 3Mb per second. Download speeds for mobile broadband vary depending on which network you connect to as you move around, and though it won’t be as fast as the fibre optic broadband in your home, it’s great for most online tasks apart from downloading large files like films and TV shows. If you want the fastest broadband in the land, get the mother of all broadband from Virgin Media – perfect for surfing in your home.

How can I check if my computer is compatible?

Most computers bought in the last 5 years are. To use Mobile Broadband from Virgin Media you'll need:

• a USB port (2.0 - Most computers bought in the last 5 years will have this. Check your computer's user guide if you are unsure).
• for PC: Windows 2000 (Service Pack 4), Windows XP (Service Pack 2), or Windows Vista
• for Mac: OSX (10.4.5 and above)
• You'll also need a display resolution of 800x600 or above, 50MB of free hard drive space, a 128MB RAM or above
• If you're not sure which operating system your computer uses, just take a look at its manual.

How do I install the device?

Simply plug the device into a free USB slot on the laptop or PC and follow the instructions on screen prompts. You can also find step by step instructions in your quickstart guide.

Can I put my normal voice SIM in my USB modem?

Yes, but you'll miss out on the special Mobile Broadband data rates your Mobile Broadband SIM gives you.

I'm having some trouble installing my Mobile Broadband programme.

Okay, lets get to the bottom of it. First, make sure your computer has finished starting up before you plug your modem into a USB port. Next, if your modem doesn't automatically run, try plugging it into another USB port. If this doesn't work, go to 'My Computer', right click the device and select 'Explore' Then double click 'autorun.exe'.

I'm having trouble re-installing the programme.

If you're getting a message to reinsert the disc, simply select Cancel. Then Windows will continue the installation process and locate the drivers automatically.

I'm having connection problems

Okay, let's get to the bottom of it. Check that:

• Your computer’s operating system is Windows 2000/XP/Vista on a PC, or OS X for an Apple Mac
• Your computer meets or exceeds the minimum operating requirements for your operating system (Windows or Mac OS X)
• You are not using any software known to conflict with our modems
• You have the log-in details and any password needed to install software
• You have a free USB port so you can plug in your modem
• If you have an anti-virus protection or a firewall, you switch it off when installing your USB modem software or make sure you select 'Allow during installation'
• You've slotted your Mobile Broadband SIM into the USB modem correctly. If you're getting a message that says 'SIM invalid', remove your SIM, double check it's your Mobile Broadband one and try reinserting it.

My modem appears to be connected, but I cannot browse the Internet

There could be several reasons for this.

First of all, are you sure you have enough allowance left in your Mobile Broadband account? To check, log in to Your Account.

There may also be issues with the network. It could be unusually busy, or your computer has connected to a network with poor coverage. You may want to wait a few minutes or move to another area and try connecting again.

It's also possible that your firewall or ant-virus software is blocking access to the Internet. Or that you've chosen to restrict access from certain sites using parental control.

Frequent disconnections or slow speeds

If you're frequently being disconnected or experiencing slow speeds, it could be that there isn't enough coverage to connect to the internet in this area. Have a look at the lights on your USB modem, they'll let you know if you're in an area with good coverage. Once your connected, the 'Your Details' function will give you all the details of the connection, including network signal and network information. Overall, our network covers over 85% of the population.

Tip: Need a better signal? You can connect the USB modem using a longer USB cable extender.

What do the different coloured lights on my USB Modem mean?

Have a look at the Quick Start guide which came with your Mobile Broadband pack. It'll tell you everything you need to know.

What does 1GB of data give me?

With our 1 GB data allowance, you can:

• Send 700 emails
• Download 65 music tracks
• Download 30 two-minute videos, and
• Browse online for 30 hours
• Texts and calls aren't included in your package. They cost our standard rates.

Check your usage with our data calculator

What does 3GB of data give me?

With a huge 3GB worth of data access, you can do all this (and a little bit more!)

• Send 2000 emails
• Download 300 music tracks
• Download 100 two-minute videos
• Browse online for 100 hours
• Texts and calls aren't included in your package. They cost our standard rates.

Check your usage with our data calculator

If you'd like to download large files like TV shows and films, check our fibre optic broadband from Virgin Media. At up to 50Mb, it's perfect for super-fast surfing in your home. And even better, you can get 20% off Mobile Broadband when you buy a home broadband package.

Are there any download limits?

Your Mobile Broadband contract means you can download a generous 3GB each month. Each MB you download after that costs 1.46 pence, which is one of the cheapest rates in the market. You can keep an eye on how you're downloading by visiting Your Account, or by checking 'Your Details' on your Mobile Broadband home page.

Do I get a Virgin Media e-mail account?

No. But you can set up your own e-mail account with providers like Hotmail and Gmail.

Using e-mail with Mobile Broadband

You can use web-based email accounts, like Hotmail and Gmail, as well as email software like Outlook, Outlook Express and Mail for Mac. However, you may need to change your settings, depending on your email provider. If you don't want to use up your download allowance, you can set up your email so that it doesn't automatically download attachments. To find out how, just contact your email provider.

Does the device support WLAN?

No

Do I need to buy a Micro SD card and what is it for?

A Micro SD is a memory card.  If you buy one of these, it means the device can have external storage like USB storage stick

How can I stop my children accessing adult content?

If you'd like to protect your children, you can ask us to restrict access to certain sites. Either visit Your Account and switch on Parental Control or give our team a call on 0845 6000 789. Doing this means you, and your children, can no longer access social networking sites like Facebook and Bebo, as well as Adult sites. If you'd prefer to limit access to specific websites, you can use the settings on your computer instead.

Can I make internet voice calls using my Mobile Broadband service?

No, not at the moment. But we're always looking for ways to improve our services, so keep your eyes peeled, it may be available in the future.

Can I use my USB Modem in any laptop?

Yes - as long as the computer has a USB port, and it has a compatible operating system, you can plug it in and away you go! If you do use your USB modem in lots of different computers, you can keep track of your usage by visiting Your Account

Can I use my USB Modem with a SIM card from another mobile operator?

No - your USB modem will only work with a Virgin Mobile SIM card.

What is a gigabyte or GB?

GB is short for 'gigabyte', which is a chunk of data. Everything which is sent over the Internet is made up of chunks of data, whether it is a web page, an email, a music track or video clip.

• If 8 Bits of data = 1 Byte, then
• 1024 bytes of data = 1 Kilobyte (KB), then
• 1024 KB of data = 1 Megabyte (MB), then
• 1024 MB of data = 1 Gigabyte (GB)

Of course, each involves a different amount of data - the average email (without attachments) is around 4 KB, whereas digital photographs are around 1 MB. An MPEG3 music file is around 3-4MB.

Why doesn't the usage amount in Your Details match my bill?

The usage tracker in Your Details helps you keep track of what you've used on that particular computer. If you use it on more than one computer, it won't keep track of your total usage or update itself when your monthly allowance is added. Your bill and the details in Your Account will always give you an accurate real time picture.

Why do I get one bill for my Mobile phone and another for Mobile Broadband?

Although we can't provide this for you yet, we're working on it! Keep your eyes peeled for this kind of development soon.

What if there isn't coverage where I live?

Our 28 day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee lets you get a full refund, less any data access you’ve bought. We'll even send you prepaid packaging to post it back. If you're after broadband for your home, visit virginmedia.com and see if you can get the mother of all broadband where you live.

Can I buy a new/replacement USB Modem?

Yes, you can call our team on 0845 6000 789 and buy a replacement USB Modem.