MiFi mobile broadband

MiFi mobile broadband explained

A MiFi (sometimes spelled Mi-Fi), is a pocket-sized device that allows multiple users to connect to the internet wirelessly via a shared mobile broadband connection. Although the technology that Mi-Fis employ is fairly new to the mass market, they have quickly become hugely popular. The MiFi mobile broadband revolution has arrived!

Mi-Fi broadband users can buy credit on a pay as you go and one-month basis or sign up for a longer monthly contract just as they would with mobile broadband dongle deals. The main difference between the two is that while dongles only allow you to connect one device to the internet, a Mi-Fi lets five people share the same connection.

How does a MiFi broadband device work?

MiFis work in much the same way as wireless broadband hotspots that let you get online when you are in certain coffee shop chains or in civic spaces in towns and cities.

In a nutshell, a MiFi taps into cellular 3G networks and then creates a mini, localised wireless broadband cloud with a radius of over thirty feet (around 10 metres). This signal can be picked up by any devices in the vicinity.

Advantages of MiFi & MiFi devices

Connection sharing

MiFis let you use the same connection to get online with any WiFi-enabled device. This means that not only can you use them with PCs and laptops, but with mobile phones, games consoles and music players too.

MiFi Cost savings

MiFi users do not have to rent a landline as they would have to if they were using a wireless home broadband connection. This instantly saves them £11.25 per month.

Those with pay as you go and pay monthly deals are also free to buy credit only when they need it, meaning that they do not have to pay for internet access that they do not use.

This makes MiFis a great choice for families who need to connect multiple devices, but don’t want to pay out for internet access that they may not use. It also means that MiFis are a cost-effective solution for students who are living in a shared house.

Portability

MiFis do not need to be connected to the device for which they are providing an internet service, so users are free to place their MiFi mobile broadband in the optimum position in their room for internet connectivity. This can help with some of the network coverage problems that mobile broadband dongle users experience.

Fast set-up

Unlike dongles, MiFis do not require users to install any software on their Wi-Fi-enabled device. Consequently, they can be surfing the web's highways and byways within a matter of minutes.

Disadvantages of MiFi mobile broadband

Mi-Fi unit price

The cost of buying a Mi-Fi with some providers is significantly higher than a buying a dongle. However, price points for Mi-Fis will almost certainly fall when they become more popular.

Sharers can soon run through their allowance

Allowing more than one person to use a connection makes it more likely that you will reach your monthly download limit much faster. This means that you may have to be more vigilant to ensure you do not exceed your usage allowance.

Which mobile broadband providers offer MiFi?

Mi-Fis are relatively new to the market, with 3, Vodafone and T-Mobile the only UK providers to have launched products thus far. However, rivals are expected to follow suit soon.

3 MiFi deals

Weighing in at 99g, the 3 MiFi is a sleek silver device that easily fits into your pocket and offers connection speeds of up to 7.2Mb.

Stand out features of the 3 Mi-Fi include:

• Scope to add a microSD card so that the device doubles as a memory stick

• Up to five hours active usage on a single full charge

• Five users can share the signal provided they are within 10 metres of the Mi-Fi

Vodafone Mi-Fi 2352

The Vodafone Mi-Fi, which is sometimes called the Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot, is about the size of a credit card and also offers a connection speed of up to 7.2Mb.

Other features include:

• MicroSD support to boost memory by up to 16GB

• Five users can connect devices simultaneously within a 10 metre radius

• Up to four hours usage

T-Mobile Mi-Fi 2352

The T-Mobile Mi-Fi offers a broadband connection speed of up to 4.5Mb.

Other key features include:

• MicroSD support to allow users to boost memory by up to 16GB

• Five users can connect devices at the same time within a 10 metre radius

• Up to four hours usage on a single, full charge

Future of Mi-Fis

The mass market penetration achieved by Mi-Fi technology in a short time suggests that Mi-Fi mobile broadband could one day replace dongles as the most popular means of getting online while on the move.

The onset of next-generation, 4G mobile networks will also allow a Mi-Fi to provide users with much faster connections and make the devices an even more viable alternative to landline home broadband.