Virgin doesn’t run its own 3G network – instead, it uses Optus’, meaning wherever you can get Optus 3G coverage, Virgin works too. When we tested, Virgin wasn’t on Optus’ fast HSDPA network, which explains the large difference in speed. Optus returned speed results roughly twice those of Virgin. In our tests, Virgin was the second slowest in our tests, averaging slightly more than 500Kb/s, with upload speeds roughly half that.

For most applications – standard internet browsing and email – this will suffice, and there’s plenty to like about Virgin’s pricing. It offers a single 5GB plan, but its price of $39 per month is the cheapest for that much data. It works out to $7.80 per GB, $1.87 less per gigabyte than 3, its nearest rival. Another plus is it’s the only provider here that doesn’t charge when you exceed your data limit.

While other providers charge anything from 10c per MB (3 and Vodafone) to 25c per MB (BigPond), Virgin engages in bandwidth shaping to keep things under control. Hit the 5GB cap and your connection is throttled back to 64Kb/s for the remainder of your billing cycle. The sharp drop in speed is frustrating, but arguably better than receiving an unexpectedly large, three-figure bill, which could be the case if you overshoot with another provider.

The benefits keep coming – Virgin’s plan includes its 3G modem, which is the same hardware model as Optus’. That means it includes a micro-SD card reader for added capacity. And, the first time you insert it, it mounts as a CD drive, complete with the drivers and documentation to get up and running. It’s a great way to port your 3G account from one machine to another. The only drawback in terms of hardware is the untethered cap, although this minor complaint is more than offset by the fact that Virgin offers its USB modem for free.

The software is among the best, too. There’s plenty of detail, and Virgin makes keeping an eye on your data limit easy. You can also access information about connection speeds: a barometer of what your connection is currently capable of.

Virgin might not have been the fastest provider in our tests, but unless you’re looking for a permanent wireless replacement for your home broadband connection, its half-megabit speeds will be sufficient. It’s the most keenly-priced offering this month as well, which makes it tempting to those who need a decent data cap.