If you have a WiFi enabled iPad or laptop but aren't in a wireless hotspot then a MiFi modem can be used to join together to the cellular/mobile phone network (3G or Hsdpa signal) and generate a wireless broadband hotspot so you can get online. Alternatively you can use a MiFi mobile wireless modem to join together up to 5 WiFi enabled devices to the cellular network which could get you online on your iPod Touch, Sony Psp, Nintendo Dsi, netbook, mobile phone or other WiFi enabled devices all at the same time.
MiFi packages are ready from numerous mobile phone carriers worldwide (such as 3-Mobile MiFi/Vodafone MiFi in the Uk or Verizon/At&T MiFi in the Us) and various plans exist depending on if you want to sign up for a contracted period and pay a set whole per month for a quarterly data discount or pay-as-you-go service. The pay-as-you-go plans may be more standard if you use the assistance from time-to-time as the data is more expensive but you only pay for what you need.
MiFi modems vary in size and shape but generally they're credit card sized and colse to 1cm thick. The MiFi modem is transportable but equally great device that is like a very small mobile phone. Some also have a micro-Sd slot so you can add your own Sd card and use the device as a memory stick also.
How to set up your mobile wireless MiFi modem
The following instructions enumerate to a Huawei E585 3G Wireless MiFi Modem (part of the 3 MiFi holder from the 3-Mobile network victualer in the Uk)but other modems will work in a similar way.
- Get the Sim in the modem by opportunity up the modem and slotting it in the Sim card slot behind the battery.
- You'll need to charge the modem for a long period initially to get it up and running (around 8 hours). You can do this by connecting it to the mains via an adapter plug, or alternatively you can charge by attaching it to a Usb socket if you're using it to join together a laptop or other Usb enabled device.
- Power up the MiFi modem using the on/off switch and give it 90-120 seconds to pick up the mobile/cellular signal.
- The modem's screen contains various icons giving you details of signal compel - all are pretty self explanatory and explained in detail on the instructions that come with the modem
- You then just join together to the usual WiFi signal on your iPad, laptop or other device and enter the login and password details in case,granted by the carrier who you purchased the MiFi and data plan from.
If you struggle to get a strong signal then move colse to as network coverage can vary a lot even in the space of a few metres.
When you pick up a strong 3G or Hsdpa signal you should get decent data speeds enabling you to stream YouTube videos and loaded web pages quickly. The execution is as any fast as you'd get on a smart-phone but not comparable to a high-speed home broadband connection. The signal compel largely depends on the cellular/mobile carrier you select and their coverage in the area you're trying to passage the 3G or Hsdpa network.
Battery life of the Huawei E585 3G Wireless MiFi Modem was generally colse to four hours when powered by the battery in the modem and in continuous use". But standby time is much longer so best to turn the modem off if not in use to forestall the power draining away.
To give you an idea of how far your data discount will go. The 3-Mobile cellular network in the Uk states that 1 Gb of data should approximately allow you to browse the web for 10 hours, plus send 1000 emails, plus download 32 four tiny music tracks, plus download 5 four tiny videos. A lot will depend on what you use if for but straightforward websites such as Google with few images require very tiny data usage and video downloading on YouTube will take much more.
Mobile WiFi Summary
Your mobile wireless MiFi experience will largely depend on the cellular/network coverage in the area that you'll use it and watch out for hidden charges such as using the device abroad. All-in-all though, a MiFi modem is a great way to get online when you're out of range of a WiFi network and don't have a 3G association built into your iPad, laptop or other wireless enabled device. MiFi modems also allow you to generate one association that a whole of other devices can join together to and often the cost of the modem is far less than paying up front for a 3G enabled device.
Use a mobile Wireless MiFi Modem to join together Your iPad Or Laptop to a mobile Phone Network