Keeping Virgin Mobile Broadband router plugged in 24/7

May 17, 2011

Keeping Virgin Broadband2Go Always On
by: PrepaidWirelessGuy

I'm assuming that you're talking about keeping the Virgin Broadband2Go MiFi wireless hotspot plugged in all the time. There are a couple of things that come to mind to consider:

1. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with keeping it plugged in all the time. It uses a lithium ion battery, which performs well with constant topping up. HOWEVER, constantly being plugged in (and the constant heat associated with charging, even when it's fully charged) will diminish the battery life after awhile.

I recommend unplugging it every few days at least so that you can actually use/drain the battery. You don't need to fully drain the battery each time you do this, though every month or so, using it until the red low battery light goes on will help keep the battery in good condition.

If you use the MiFi device a lot, you'll find that you NEED to keep in plugged in for most of the day, as the battery simply doesn't last long enough to be useful for extended periods.

2. In terms of data usage, you'll want to be careful. Now that their unlimited plan is no longer unlimited (sigh), if you're not using your computer, keeping the device on, while your PC is connected will continually use data all day.

Downloading emails automatically with Outlook isn't a big deal b/c you would be downloading them eventually, but your PC has all kinds of processes running that will be using the Internet connection throughout the day even when you're not using it. This could be checking for updates, refreshing Firefox Speed Dial windows or tabs, and a myriad of other processes that are virtually almost always running on your computer. To combat this you can either turn off the MiFi hotspot, or you can disconnect your PC from the router, or switch off the wireless connection on your PC while you're not using it.

Keeping Virgin Mobile Broadband router plugged in 24/7

Comments for
Keeping Virgin Mobile Broadband router plugged in 24/7

Related Pages