Virgin Mobile Broandband2Go : un modem Internet 3G sans contrat au Canada

J’ai parlé il y a quelques semaines d’un modem 3G USB sans contrat offert chez Virgin Mobile aux États-Unis, idéal pour nos voyages. Eh bien bonne nouvelle, ce dernier est maintenant disponible au Canada. Malheureusement, l’offre est à mon avis un peu moins intéressante ici qu’aux États-Unis.

Le plan Broadband2go propose le modem USB pour 150$, sans contrat. Ensuite, on peut acheter 1 Go de donnée pour 45$ (valide un mois maximum). Aussi simple que ça. En plus, le premier mois est gratuit, alors la clé ne coûte en réalité que 100$.

Comme je le faisais remarquer récemment, l’achat du modem représente quand même une dépense importante (très raisonnable par rapport au marché par contre). Mais la plupart des gens ont Internet à la maison et au travail, ils vont dans des cafés avec Internet, etc. Ce n’est que de temps à autres (souvent en voyage) qu’ils se déplacent dans des zones où l’Internet est plus difficile d’accès.

C’est pour cette raison qu’une telle offre, sans contrat, est avantageuse. On s’en sert uniquement quand on en a besoin. Pour certaines personnes, un tel modem 3G USB sera donc le moins cher sur le marché, à long terme du moins.

Malheureusement, la grille tarifaire est, je crois, moins avantageuse au Canada qu’aux États-Unis. L’offre américaine propose 10$ pour 100 Mo et une durée de 10 jours, 20$ pour 250 Mo et une limite de 30 jours, 50$ pour 600 Mo et une limite de 30 jours alors que 60$ donne 1 Go, toujours avec une limite de 30 jours.

Au Canada, c’est beaucoup plus simple: 45$ pour 1 Go. Comme on le voit, ceci est donc plus avantageux pour ceux qui consomment beaucoup de données, et moins avantageux pour ceux qui en utilisent moins.

Mais j’ai malheureusement l’impression que ceux qui pourraient être intéressés par une telle offre sont justement des utilisateurs occasionnels, pour qui les forfaits à 10 et 20$ auraient été particulièrement avantageux.

Du moins, c’est mon impression.

Voici ce que Virgin Mobile Canada avait à dire sur le sujet

Stick It! Virgin Mobile Canada Introduces Broadband2Go(TM) Data Stick

First in Canada to offer 3G nationwide wireless internet access with no annual contract and first month’s top up at no charge!

TORONTO, Dec. 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — – Virgin Mobile Canada announced today the launch of Broadband2Go(TM), a rocket-fast new 3G nationwide wireless Internet service without an annual contract or activation fee.

Virgin Mobile is breaking new ground yet again with the first data stick of its kind in Canada, letting surfers control their costs and pay for access only when they need it. Delivering a lightning-fast internet punch in a very small package, Broadband2Go will be available at Virgin Mobile stores, virginmobile.ca and Future Shop starting on December 3, 2009.

« Forget about long-term contracts, monthly bills or looking around for a Wi-Fi signal to jump on. Prepaid mobile web access is perfect for students, families on the go and anyone who needs to jump online in a flash, » said Robert Blumenthal President and CEO, Virgin Mobile Canada. « We’ve already shown the huge benefit of no annual contracts and giving our customers the freedom to control their costs and chose the services they want. Broadband2Go is yet another way we’re delivering big time value, flexibility and convenience to Canadians. »

Just like Virgin Mobile Canada’s phones, activation is simple and easy. At virginmobile.ca, web surfers can keep their service going by topping up when they want right from their registered credit card or they can set up automatic payments so they’re always good to go. To kick off the launch, Virgin Mobile’s special intro offer gives new Broadband2Go users their first month or 1GB at no charge if you activate on-line! After that, top ups are just $45 for 1GB or for 1 month of use, whichever comes first.

« We’re delighted to work with Virgin Mobile Canada to deliver a great wireless Internet service providing their customers the choice of a prepaid option for mobile Internet access, » said Rob Hadley, CMO, Novatel Wireless. « Featuring fast download speeds, reliable performance and flexible top-up options to fit the user’s needs, the world’s smallest EV-DO data stick offers Canadians an unbeatable way to access the web. »

Available for $149.99, the Novatel Wireless (Nasdaq: NVTL) Ovation(TM) MC760 is the world’s smallest EV-DO Rev. A modem. At just over two inches long and weighing less than an ounce, the Broadband2Go data stick literally lets you take the internet in your hand. Extremely durable and compact, the stick delivers a ton of innovative features, including an integrated microSD(TM) slot for seamless storage and transport of up to 8GB of files, photos, or videos on a removable microSD storage card (sold separately). For more info, head to www.virginmobile.ca/broadband2go.

About Virgin Mobile

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 12 million customers worldwide. As the No.1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada’s mission is to be Canada’s most loved mobile company. Its simpler, better deals offer customers control, flexibility and choice to design mobile packages that truly works for them. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study has awarded Virgin Mobile « Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Prepaid Wireless Service, Five Years in a Row »(1) and it has ranked Virgin Mobile « Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Postpaid Wireless Service »(2). 91% of customers would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations with top-up cards available at more than 10,000 locations nationally. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/virginmobilecan and Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.

About Novatel Wireless

Novatel Wireless, Inc. is a leader in the design and development of innovative wireless broadband access solutions based on 3G and 4G WCDMA (HSPA & UMTS), CDMA and GSM technologies. Novatel Wireless’ USB modems, embedded modules, Intelligent Mobile Hotspot products and software enable high-speed wireless Internet access on leading wireless data networks. The Company delivers specialized wireless solutions to carriers, distributors, OEMs, and vertical markets worldwide. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Novatel Wireless is listed on NVTL. For more information, please visit www.Novatelwireless.com (NVTLG).

This release may contain forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended to date. These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements contained herein. These factors include risks relating to technological changes, new product introduction, continued acceptance of Novatel Wireless’ products and dependence on intellectual property rights. These factors as well as other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, are discussed in more detail in Novatel Wireless/filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov) and other regulatory agencies.

Copyright 2009 Novatel Wireless. All rights reserved. The Novatel Wireless name and logo are trademarks of Novatel Wireless, Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

(1) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from consumers with prepaid wireless service, measuring 5 wireless service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com

(2) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from consumers with postpaid wireless service, measuring 9 wireless service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com

SOURCE Novatel Wireless, Inc.