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(More customer reviews)I have had a Verizon Wireless MiFi Broadband Router for about weeks now and felt it was time to share my real world experiences and thoughts on the device. In three words: IT IS GREAT!
What is it? It is basically a Verizon Wireless EVDO card in a small casing that acts as a Wi-FI Router and allows for 5 simultaneous devices to connect to it.
How does it work? The MiFi is like any other router, on the underside of it you will find a SSID and a WPA Security key so you can connect any of your devices to it via wi-fi. If you dont have a device with wi-fi y ou can plug it into your computer via usb and use the VZAccess Manager software to gain connectivity.
How big or small is it? Simply put, it is the size of a Kit-Kat bar.
Battery Life? I charged it fully for testing purposes and connected my blackberry 8900 and iPhone 3g to it. My commutes are usualy about 4 hours round trip per day and thus this was the best way to test the device. I enabled streaming stock quotes on the blackberry and browsed using my iPhone for the entire time to really put it through its paces. Real world is after heavy usage about 5 hours of battery life. This will of course change based on coverage areas and the such.
Speed? This is where the MiFi shines - I must say I was impressed. Since there is no easy way to do a speed test from a mobile device, I simply connected my laptop to it via wi-fi and did 4-5 speed tests in different locations to make them as accurate as possible. The average speed is about 1.75mbits down and close to 800kbps up. Impressive to say the least...especially in remote parts of New Jersey and while moving in a vehicle. (Someone else was driving :-))
I am no stranger to mobile connectivity. The MiFi is a truly amazing device and its size alone makes it a MUST BUY! The ability to have wi-fi on all mobile devices via EVDO and not having to worry about connecting cards and cables is truly AMAZING.
Why then does it get a 4/5 - Simple - No unlimited data plans mean we have to keep our eyes on our usage and we may go over if we are not careful...especially because its so easy to get connected.
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Novatel MiFi 2200 Mobile Wi-Fi Modem (Verizon Wireless)With Mobile Broadband Service and Wi-Fi capability, the MiFi 2200 for Verizon Wireless enables you to take full advantage of America's largest and most reliable 3G network. This Intelligent Mobile Hotspot automatically connects to Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband service to give broadband Internet access to up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices. You and your colleagues will be able to check email, access corporate intranets, download files, send pictures with a Wi-Fi-enabled camera, and access the Internet on any Wi-Fi-enabled device--even when you’re nowhere near a traditional hotspot.
Easily portable, the MiFi 2200 is about the size of eight stacked credit cards and weighs just over 2 ounces. Other features include two-way text messaging capabilities, compatibility with Windows, Mac and Linux PCs, VPN capabilities, and multiple Wi-Fi security settings. The lithium-ion battery provides up to four hours on the road or 40 hours of standby time, and you can extend the battery life of your work session by connecting the device to your notebook via a USB cable.
Verizon Wireless Service With the Verizon Wireless Mobile 3G Mobile Broadband network, a high-speed connection to the web is always in reach with typical download speeds ranging from 600 Kbps and peak rates up to 1.4 Mbps. You can select from two Mobile Broadband plans:
$39.99 monthly access for 250 MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per megabyte overage
$59.99 monthly access with a 5 GB monthly allowance and 5 cents per megabyte overage
MiFi 2200 Features Developed by Novatel Wireless, the MiFi 2200 lets you create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing the reliability and high-speed Internet connectivity of the Verizon Wireless 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players. Small enough to carry in your shirt pocket, it combines a variety of features into its streamlined form factor, including integrated internal CDMA and Wi-Fi antennas, advanced security and authentication technologies. When one device is connected through Wi-Fi, the MiFi 2200’s rechargeable battery provides up to four hours of active use and 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.
Novatel's NovaSpeed technology improves simultaneous upload and download times so you can transfer large files with minimal interruptions or buffering. Keep would-be trespassers from using your connection with password protection, CDMA authentication and identification, dynamic Mobile IP (MIP) key update, Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) firewall, VPN pass-through, and more. It also features auto-install, autoconnectivity, Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) support, VPN capability, and a removable lithium-ion battery. You’ll also get two-way text messaging when you connect via USB (Windows only; Mac client to be available soon).
Mobile Broadband (BroadbandAccess and NationalAccess): CDMA Rev. A, Rev. O, 1XRTT
WiFi Mode: 802.11 b/g for connection of up to 5 devices
Type A USB port compatibility via included microUSB cable
Antenna System: Internal; Receive diversity 800/1900 MHz CDMA
VPN Compatible; Dial Up; NDIS support
PC compatibility: Windows 2000, XP and Vista and Mac OS X 10.4.0 or higher and Linux
Dimensions: 3.5 x 2.3 x 0.4 inches
Weight: 2.05 ounces
Battery life: Up to 4 hours of continuous use, 40 hours of standby time (1150 mAh lithium-ion battery)
Frequently Asked Questions How is the MiFi2200 different from other Mobile Broadband USB, PC Card and ExpressCardmodems? There are significant differences between MiFi2200 and other devices, primarily because it connects multiple devices to Mobile Broadband over Wi-Fi. The other modems require a physical connection, and may only be used with one notebook at a time. Further, MiFi2200 connects not just notebook computers, it can connect to Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as cameras, gaming devices, digital photo frames and more.
How is this different from a Router? The MiFi2200 is an Intelligent Mobile Hotspot that can operate as a USB Modem (with a USB Cable) or in Wi-Fi/BatteryMode, eliminating the need for a wired connection or an AC connection. Its lightweight, slim and compact features, make this the ultimate mobile hotspot.
What kind of security is available? MiFi2200 supports all the latest WEP/WPA/WPA-2 security and SPI firewall. It is recommended that security is set up in order to prevent unauthorized use.
When do I need to use the USB Cable? The USB Cable is required when MiFi2200 is used as a USB Modem and for first time setup and activation with VZAccess Manager. The cable can be used to connect after activation if MiFi2200 is out of battery power and there is no access to AC power. The cable can also be used for charging, but only when the device is dormant and not in an active data session.
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