Virgin Mobile USA and NETGEAR Introduce the NETGEAR Mingle Mobile Hotspot on Broadband2Go

Virgin Mobile's first 4G LTE broadband device now available

Virgin Mobile adds NETGEAR Mingle Mobile Hotspot with no-contract. (Photo: Business Wire)

WARREN, N.J. & SAN JOSE, Calif.--()--Virgin Mobile USA and NETGEAR® Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) (www.netgear.com) announced today the availability of the NETGEAR MingleTM mobile hotspot, Virgin Mobile’s first 4G LTE broadband device on its Broadband2Go portfolio. Priced at $99.99, NETGEAR Mingle is the industry’s first Sprint SparkTM-enabled tri-band device designed for no-contract1 customers in the United States.

There are an increasing number of people who want Wi-Fi-only devices so they can stay connected while on the go, and the ultra-portable NETGEAR Mingle mobile hotspot is the ideal solution for customers who want to access multiple devices and connect seamlessly. Mingle accommodates up to 10 wireless devices simultaneously, including notebooks, tablets, digital cameras, smartphones and MP3 players. Additional features include dual-mode 3G/4G LTE (where available), a powerful 1,800mAh battery that lasts for up to 12.5 hours of active time2, secure access with password protection, and a 1.77-inch LCD display screen. With Mingle, customers can buy less expensive Wi-Fi-only tablets and other devices and have always-on Internet connectivity when needed from a single account.

“With long-range outdoor/indoor Wi-Fi and fast 4G LTE speeds, customers are able to surf and download quickly on Mingle when they’re out and about,” said Angela Rittgers, vice president-Marketing, Virgin Mobile USA. “The lightweight and sleek design, along with flexible daily and monthly payment options, makes this the perfect mobile solution to fuel customers’ on-the-go lifestyles.”

Virgin Mobile Broadband2Go offers no-contract mobile broadband plans with diversified price points and data allotments to satisfy consumers’ varying usage needs, with no commitment and starting at just $5 a day for 250MB. For those who need a little more data, Broadband2Go also offers 1.5GB monthly access for $25 or 6GB per month for $55.3

Accessories available for the NETGEAR Mingle mobile hotspot

  • Desktop charging cradle: Designed to enhance the capabilities of NETGEAR Mingle, the cradle conveniently charges the device and improves the signal by up to 10dB. Its integrated MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-out) antennas allow users to experience significant improvement in speeds, coverage and signal both indoors and in fringe areas. For more information on the desktop charging cradle, please visit http://www.netgear.com/service-providers/products/mobile/mobile-hotspots/77xs-cradle.aspx.
  • NETGEAR AirCard app: A free app that enables the end-user to conveniently manage the NETGEAR Mingle mobile hotspot status, connection and settings from an iOS or Android™ smartphone or tablet. Available for download on Apple iTunes®, Google Play™, and Amazon Appstore.

Sprint, Virgin Mobile USA’s parent company, continues to expand its Sprint Spark service, bringing the total number of markets available to 18: Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Chicago; Dallas; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Fort Worth, Texas; Houston; Jacksonville, Fla.; Kansas City, Kan./Mo.; Los Angeles; Miami; New York; Philadelphia; Provo, Utah; Salt Lake City; San Antonio, Texas; Tampa, Fla; and Trenton, N.J. When not in a Sprint Spark LTE market, Mingle will automatically provide 3G high-speed service to customers. NETGEAR Mingle mobile hotspot is now available online and at participating retailers. For more information, visit http://www.virginmobileusa.com.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA offers millions of customers control, flexibility and connectivity through Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk™ No-Contract plans with unlimited 3G data, and available 4G data speeds for mobile phone service, including Android™-powered smartphones and for prepaid Broadband2Go high-speed Web access on the Nationwide Sprint Network. Virgin Mobile Beyond Talk monthly unlimited data plans, which start at $35, are ideal for those smartphone users hungry for the most connectivity and the least amount of voice minutes. Virgin Mobile-branded devices are available at more than 40,000 retail stores, including Best Buy, RadioShack, Target and Walmart, Top-Up cards are available at approximately 150,000 locations nationwide. Experience Virgin Mobile on the Web at FacebookTwitterYou Tube, and purchase Virgin Mobile USA products at www.virginmobileusa.com. For more news, click here.

About NETGEAR Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies to top service providers retail-proven, mobile broadband solutions for their customers on the go. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies, such as wireless, Ethernet and Powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 50,000 retail locations worldwide and through approximately 39,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters is in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in more than 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at www.NETGEAR.com or by calling 408-907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

©2014 NETGEAR Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and Mingle are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holder(s). Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

1 Service is subject to Virgin Mobile’s Terms of Service and other materials provided at time of activation

2 Active time may vary depending on how many devices are connected at one time and how much content is being transmitted

3 Plans include 3G/4G high-speed data plan allotments. Data network access ends when the applicable plan cycle ends, or when total 3G/4G allotment reached, whichever comes first. Data usage measured by device's total combined data use on Sprint's 3G/4G networks. 4G LTE where available—see virginmobileusa.com for coverage.

Contacts

Virgin Mobile USA
Lorena Pino, 908-660-0330
lorena.pino@virginmobileusa.com
or
Weber Shandwick for NETGEAR
Jocelyn Shaw, 415-262-5904
jshaw2@webershandwick.com

Release Summary

Virgin Mobile USA and NETGEAR® Inc. announced today the availability of the NETGEAR MingleTM mobile hotspot, Virgin Mobile’s first 4G LTE broadband device on its Broadband2Go portfolio.

Contacts

Virgin Mobile USA
Lorena Pino, 908-660-0330
lorena.pino@virginmobileusa.com
or
Weber Shandwick for NETGEAR
Jocelyn Shaw, 415-262-5904
jshaw2@webershandwick.com