I only saw these modems at Pilot. So that is why I believed it to be related to the issue.

Virgin's prices are ridiculous as well. Why are they charging 5 times the going rate? I use 1 gigabyte a week on average, and that's maybe 2-3 hours of usage a day, when I'm home not as much. On the average though, I use a little more than 4 gigs a month. $60 for 1 gig? Again, why would anyone buy into this?

Maybe because they were charging the going rate instead of what the other company is doing. $50 for 200 megabytes? That's a 30 minute youtube video.

Ok, all this pre-paid stuff is starting to get over my head now...I miss the days of slingshot...when all I did was plug it in...and never ever had any issues...You tube...whatever...no issues...just $59.00 a month...so simple..so practical...

Oh how I miss those days...

Agree Virgin prepaid is not a good value for the consistent heavy data user(obviously wouldn't work for your data needs)...month-to-month or a contract plan with a different provider would make a lot more sense for your needs. The Virgin light and moderate usage plans do make sense for some people though (I'm toying with the idea of getting a Virgin modem later this month when they come out).
With Slingshot I wound up buying too much (usually used around 200-275 mb a month). Mostly static web pages for travel websites, news, email, forums and the occassional software or OS upgrade. This was more to supplement other internet access methods when I was at the office or occassionally traveling (used Juno dialup at home for quick email access and light surfing, AT&T prepaid data for email/light surfing on a little Tilt smartphone). With my new Mac (came this morning) expect to use a bit more (will do some itune purchases and picture uploads for professional printing), but doubt I'll go more than maybe 500 mb/month. If I went with VM prepaid and used more than $40/month, I'd probably sign a contract instead with AT&T or use the Millenicom/Verizon month-to-month postpaid. If I just used the $20 or $40 Virgin data packs, I'd wind up saving a lot each year.
Non-Wifi Prepaid Wireless Broadband options are kind of limited right now. AT&T prepaid is mostly 100mb packs meant more for smartphones than tethering, other carriers have some month-to-month data with no long term contract if you buy or bring-your-own-modem, there's the network of Cricket cities/towns, ReadyBroadband, some international prepaid GSM data cards that work in the US and elsewhere. I think with more competition prices will come down and data limits will go up. This has already happened in other countries (particularly in Europe) where there has been more competition on prepaid data. Plus the next generation networks that are faster will be able to handle more data on each tower (LTE, etc.).
Bottom line is there is no one-size-fits-all solution for mobile data. People have different needs for the amount of data they need, what they are willing to pay for it, what network coverage they need, and what they expect in customer service support.

You all need to check out "autonetmobile" ( just google it). You purchase
the unit for around $300 which installs into your car or truck and turns it into
a wifi hot spot that you can connect to to be able to acces the internet.

When I first heard about them and checked out there website I clicked on the
coverage map page and it brought up Verizon's coverage map so I would
assume that Verizon is the one providing the service. They provide up to 3G
coverage in most areas.

Plans start as low as $29 a month for 1gb of service or you can choose the
5gb plan for $59 a month. It is not prepaid but only requires a 1yr service
agreement compared to most providers that require a 2yr service contract.

From what I have posted it may seem like I work for the company and am
trying to push the product which is NOT the case. I was one of the unfortunate
ones who purchased "slingshot" and was NEVER even able to hook the darn thing
up. The price is comparable to slingshot at around $300.

What I like about this product is that there is no aircard to worry about or break,
or replace. Once you install the device into your rig you can connect to YOUR
HOTSPOT within about 200ft of it. And it is encrypted so they claim that it is very
secure.

I will be getting the product soon and will update you all as to how their service
preforms.

__________________
"Léssez le bon ton roullé!"

The tie between Autonetmobile and VW looks promising (sort of like Onstar and GM tie-in but with an automaker in better shape). Sounds good for someone who needs broadband primarily in their vehicle. Also means more than one device could be used. FAQ's also show they allow Canada roaming (although they will undoubtedly pass on roaming charges from Verizon). Rates also look very competitive.
For my own purposes, will be doing a mix of Juno dial-up (slow but reliable), Wi-fi where occassionally available for free (my new macbook has draft-N which should be really fast), and then some sort of wireless broadband for traveling or to use plunked on my desk at work. Don't need a lot of data (Mb's, not Gb's) but want my own personal wireless broadband connection. Leaning more towards a plug in USB key or tethering because Autonet wouldn't be with me if taking a train or plane, and my car wasn't at the destination. In my case probably postpaid AT&T (prepaid tether would be too expensive per Mb on a regular basis), prepaid Virgin Mobile Broadband2go, or Millenicom Verizon. Haven't decided yet...

Hey Slingshot diehards,

I just got the new Virgin Mobil prepay data card today at BestBuy. It cost $149.00 and I bought two $30.00 cards for a total of $224. I am sitting in Jacksonville Florida in my company yard trying out the service. I just activated and registared. I will report back as to how things go on the road. I am on my way to Valdosta Ga and will be getting online while at the shipper. So I hope I have found my solution to break away from the Pilot Wifi spots. I can stay at any truckstop I want and get online anywhere. Stay tuned. Ps my connection level is low right now and I am getting 3.1bps. thats for all you techies out there.
Stay safe.

best of luck to keep going when you have used all your allocated data bandwidth in 4 days and have to keep paying...and paying...and paying etc ad nauseum.

These limited bandwidth for outrageous prices will continue so long as people pay for it. Nobody should buy it until they get in line with a 50gb plan for $60 a month.

This virgin mobile thing is an insult to the buyer and most buyers are too slow to understand they are geting robbed.

not everybody spends their whole life online! he did what he had to do to get hooked back up! i got the sprint card and never even come close to the 5 gig limit. hope it works out well for you jewell313!