MiFi

MiFi is a line of compact wireless routers produced by Novatel Wireless that act as mobile Wi-Fi hotspots. MiFi stands for 'My Wi-Fi'. The MiFi can be connected to a mobile phone (cellular) carrier and provide internet access for up to 5 devices. The MiFi works at a distance up to 10 m (30 ft) and will provide internet or network access to any WiFi enabled peripheral device.

The first MiFi device was introduced in the U.S. in May 2009 by Novatel Wireless,^[1] and Novatel owns a registered trademark on the "MiFi" brand name in the U.S.^[2] The Novatel MiFi is also marketed as such in the Netherlands, Egypt, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Qatar, Kuwait, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Canada, and Mexico.^[3][4][5][6] However, in the United Kingdom, mobile operator 3 owns the "MiFi" trademark and markets a similar device from Huawei under the name.^[3][7]

Contents 1 MiFi (and MiFi-like) devices 1.1 Novatel MiFi 2200 1.2 Novatel MiFi 23xx series 1.3 4G MiFi devices 1.4 Non-Novatel devices 2 Usage around the world 2.1 Carriers offering MiFi 2.2 Alternatives 3 Awards 4 MiFi in the news 4.1 Security Issues 4.2 Recall 4.3 Radio interference at trade shows 5 References 6 External links

MiFi (and MiFi-like) devices

Novatel MiFi 2200

• Limited to 5 Wi-Fi clients such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players; with the exception of manually editing the devices config file to allow more clients.^[8]
• May be connected to a computer via a MicroUSB connection, though doing so disables the Wi-Fi networking, converting the device into a traditional single-client modem. (However, CNET has introduced a tweak to charge the device over USB while maintaining its functionality.)
• Includes GPS unit, which is usable on some networks (Virgin) and not on others (Verizon).
• Uses 3G data network (CDMA 1xEVDO RevA).

Novatel MiFi 23xx series

• Same functionality as 2200, plus:
• Billed as an "intelligent" mobile hotspot, includes processor and linux-based operating system.^[9]
• Includes an SDK (available here^[10]) for development of 3rd party applications to run on-board.^[9]
• Accepts SD card for in-device shared media storage.^[9]
• Uses 3G data network (MiFi 2352: HSUPA/HSDPA 900/1900/2100 MHz, MiFi 2372: HSUPA/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz; both support GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz).

4G MiFi devices

The Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show 2011 saw the introduction of two new 4G capable MiFi devices from Novatel:

• Verizon Wireless featured the 4510L model, which will connect to Verizon's new LTE 4G network, expected to support 5–12 Mbps download and 2–5 Mbit/s upload.^[11]
• Sprint featured the MiFi 4082, a WiMAX version.^[12]

Both devices maintain backward compatibility with existing 3G networks. Other features include:^[13]

• MiFiOS with widget support
• MicroSD card slot
• GPS receiver
• 4 hour battery life
• Front panel status display using E Ink technology. The front panel display shows battery, signal strength and number of connected devices. The difficulty of viewing such information was seen as a major shortcoming of earlier MiFi devices.^[12]

Non-Novatel devices

• Huawei E5830 (Series), E585, E586 with HSPA+^[14] and Chinese market E5805 using CDMA2000 and ET536 using TD-SCDMA.
• NetComm MyZone 3G24W
• Option GlobeSurfer III
• Sierra Wireless Overdrive (Note: 4G capable; available only in U.S. through Sprint)
• D-Link DIR-457/MyPocket

Usage around the world

MiFi devices are often co-branded by carriers who offer service for them.

Carriers offering MiFi

• Netcom in Norway
• Vodafone in Australia, Azerbaijan,^[15] Egypt, Germany, Greece, Spain, Romania, Portugal, the Netherlands, Qatar, New Zealand, Italy, United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic, India, etc.
• Zonga in Finland
• DiGi (3G/EDGE) and YES (WiMAX) in Malaysia
• MobileOne (M1), StarHub and Singapore Telecoms (SingTel) in Singapore
• Pelephone in Israel
• Polkomtel ("Plus") in Poland
• Vodacom in South Africa
• SK Telcom and KT in South Korea^[16]
• Telenor in Hungary
• PCCW in Hong Kong
• Mobitel in Slovenia
• SaskTel, Wind Mobile, Bell Mobility, MTS Allstream, Rogers, and Virgin Mobile in Canada
• Zain in Kuwait
• Orange and Telefonica Moviles Espana in Spain
• AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, Cellular South, Mobi PCS, and Virgin Mobile in the United States
• 3 in Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
• Internode, via Optus, in Australia
• Iusacell in Mexico
• AIS, dtac, True Move, and CAT in Thailand
• Qatar Telecom ("Qtel") in Qatar
• T-Mobile and Vodafone (in partnership with The Carphone Warehouse) in United Kingdom (marketed as "Novatel Wireless Intelligent Mobile Hotspot")
• TruConnect in the United States^[17]
• Inter Communications & a2network in Japan
• Internode & Virgin Mobile in Australia
• MTN in Nigeria
• Hutchison 3G in the United Kingdom and Ireland
• FarEastTone 3.5G in Taiwan
• Meteor in Ireland
• Globe Telecom in Philippines
• Dialog Axiata in Sri Lanka
• Vodafone in India

Alternatives

Mobile phones with an internet connection can often be turned into Wi-Fi hotspots in a similar way to dedicated MiFi devices. A caveat of doing this however is that it will drain a phone's battery more quickly, so plugging a phone being used this way into an external power source is recommended.

The following phone families have built-in features to create Wi-Fi hotspots:

• Android phones running Android 2.2 or later^[18]

• iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4 running iOS 4.3 or later,^[19][20] and all iPhones on Verizon Wireless^[21] (initially released with iOS 4.2.5)

• Palm Pixi Plus and Pre Plus on Verizon Wireless,^[22] with a 5GB cap

For other phones there are third-party applications to allow this:

• Android running Android 2.1 or under – Wireless Tether

• S60 phones and Nokia N900 – JoikuSpot^[23]

• iPhone 3G and later – MyWi

• Windows Mobile – WMWifiRouter^[24]

Awards

• Novatel MiFi 2200:
  • Mobile Village "Mobile Star" (Portable Remote Connectivity Gear): "Superstar" Award (2009)^[25]
  • Laptop Magazine Editor's Choice (2009)^[26]
  • PC World "Gear of the Year" (2009)^[27]
  • Mobile News "Most Innovative Product (non-handset)" (2010)^[28]

• Novatel MiFi 2352:
  • Plus X Award in Technology (2009)^[29]
  • CTIA Emerging Technology Award (Fashion & Lifestyle Products), 1st Place (2009)^[30]
  • CTIA "Hot for the Holidays" (Mobile Internet Device or Netbook) Award (2009)^[31]
  • CES Innovations Award (Enabling Technologies) Winner (2010)^[32]
  • Mobile World Congress "Global Mobile" Award: Best Mobile Connected Device (2010)^[33]

• Novatel 4G MiFi
  • Consumer Electronics Show 2011, Notebook Accessories Category: Best in Show^[34]
  • 2010 World Communication Award (WCA) for Best Mobile Device Strategy^[34]
  • Mobile Village Mobile Star Award for Best Laptop or Tablet Accessory^[34]

MiFi in the news

Security Issues

In January 2010, two major security holes were discovered with the Novatel MiFi 2200 which, if properly exploited, could allow a malicious user to obtain the device's current GPS location and security keys. If the malicious user were physically close enough to use the device's Wi-Fi signal, this could give access to the MiFi's 3G connection as well as any other connected devices.^[35] Novatel responded that a security patch would be available in February 2010.^[36]

The popularity of MiFi devices can also be problematic for corporate network security. Corporations generally expect to control on-site internet access: many use firewalls to reduce the risk of malware, and some enforce restrictions aimed at employee productivity. Personal mobile hotspots may provide a "back door" by which employees can circumvent these precautions.^[37]

Recall

In May 2010, the Mifi 2372 was recalled in Canada by Bell Mobility and Rogers Communications. In two documented cases, difficulty of opening the MiFi battery compartment had caused customers to use levels of force that caused physical damage to the batteries, which subsequently overheated. Novatel replaced the recalled units with a type that featured an easier-to-open battery compartment.

Customers were sent prepaid courier envelopes and instructed to send back their Mifi units for replacement of the battery and battery compartment cover.^[38] Customers were notified that Novatel would return the serviced units within 6 to 8 weeks of their return. Bell customers were provided with cellular internet access via Novatel U998 USB sticks, which were provided as temporary replacements by Bell.

Radio interference at trade shows

At two major trade shows in 2010— Google's first public demo of Google TV and the iPhone 4 demonstrations at the 2010 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference— keynote presentations using available Wi-Fi connectivity were disrupted by network unreliability. The problem was traced to massive radio interference, caused by the popularity of MiFi and similar devices for "liveblogging" from the trade show floor. In the case of the Apple conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs stated that 570 different Wi-Fi networks ("several hundred" being MiFis^[39]) were operating simultaneously in the exhibit hall.^[40][41]

References

External links

• Novatel Wireless
• MiFi Europe
• roam3g.com - A public wiki for Mifi device setup instructions and SIM card APN settings