Mifi

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T-Mobile 3G Coverage (HSPA)

* 3G coverage is publically available information gathered prior to 11/30/09. Voice and data is available outside 3G coverage areas, however data speeds will be far slower.

Mi-Fi

Just as you think you’ve got a handle on all the technological jargon that you can take, along comes another IT acronym and phenomenon that has you wondering.  This could well be the case with MiFi – the intelligent mobile hotspot that is really a personal wifi zone and allows users to consolidate and personalize their wireless broadband services.

What Mifi will do for wireless broadband users

MiFi, or Mi-fi as it is sometimes known, is a pocket size combination 3G modem and wifi router that creates a microenvironment of high-speed broadband connectivity that can be shared with multiple users and other wifi devices such as cameras, laptops and printers.  Wireless MiFi is deemed to be the next generation in mobile broadband connectivity in that it presents a portable method of carrying around your own package of content, services and connectivity thus supporting our increasingly busy and far-reaching lifestyles. 

Mifi technology is designed to escape the restrictions of finding a fixed wifi hotspot by enabling the hotspot to travel with you.  It is flexible compared to competing mobile broadband technologies because of the file and peripheral sharing capabilities.  However, as mobile broadband becomes more flexible and cost-effective, and as money continues to pour into bettering wimax telecommunication signals, Mifi has its work cut out for itself if it wants to become a market leader.

The MiFi 2200 launch

The ‘intelligent’ Novatel Wireless MiFi device was introduced to the industry late in 2008.  Having had its commercial launch in spring 2009, the wireless telecommunications industry learned that the MiFi 2200 can support up to five wifi enabled devices at a time.  It retails at $99.99 and the MiFi 2200 is launched along with a number of tariffs beginning at $39.99 and has a small 250MB monthly allowance with 10 cents per megabyte overcharge.

Mifi’s small footprint

Measuring just 3.5" x 2.3" x 0.4" and weighing only 2.05 ounces the MiFi 2200 will provide consumers with yet another lightweight gadget to worry about loosing as it inevitably works its’ way to the bottom of jacket pockets and handbags.  It packs a number of features into its small footprint including integrated internal CDMA and wifi antennas, security and authentication technologies.  The MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge, which is as good as a standard laptop battery.  The unit is shipped from Verizon with battery, USB cable, power adapter and carrying pouch. 

Further Reading on MiFi