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 create a wireless broadband hotspot so you can get online. Alternatively you can use a MiFi movable 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, movable phone or other WiFi enabled devices all at the same time.
MiFi packages are available from numerous movable 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 estimate per month for a regular data allowance or pay-as-you-go service. The pay-as-you-go plans may be more proper if you use the service from time-to-time as the data is more high-priced but you only pay for what you need.
MiFi modems vary in size and shape but ordinarily they're credit card sized and nearby 1cm thick. The MiFi modem is movable but equally astronomical gadget that is like a very small movable phone. Some also have a micro-Sd slot so you can add your own Sd card and use the gadget as a memory stick also.
How to set up your movable wireless MiFi modem
The following instructions recapitulate to a Huawei E585 3G Wireless MiFi Modem (part of the 3 MiFi package from the 3-Mobile network supplier in the Uk)but other modems will work in a similar way.
- Get the Sim in the modem by opening up the modem and slotting it in the Sim card slot behind the battery.
- You'll need to fee 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 fee 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 power - all are pretty self explanatory and explained in information on the instructions that come with the modem
- You then just join together to the usual WiFi signal on your iPad, laptop or other gadget and enter the login and password details provided by the carrier who you purchased the MiFi and data plan from.
If you struggle to get a strong signal then move nearby 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 performance is as any fast as you'd get on a smart-phone but not comparable to a high-speed home broadband connection. The signal power largely depends on the cellular/mobile carrier you settle on and their coverage in the area you're trying to entrance the 3G or Hsdpa network.
Battery life of the Huawei E585 3G Wireless MiFi Modem was ordinarily nearby 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 allowance will go. The 3-Mobile cellular network in the Uk states that 1 Gb of data should practically allow you to browse the web for 10 hours, plus send 1000 emails, plus download 32 four little music tracks, plus download 5 four little videos. A lot will depend on what you use if for but uncomplicated websites such as Google with few images need very little data usage and video downloading on YouTube will take much more.
Mobile WiFi Summary
Your movable wireless MiFi feel will largely depend on the cellular/network coverage in the area that you'll use it and watch out for underground charges such as using the gadget 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 connection built into your iPad, laptop or other wireless enabled device. MiFi modems also allow you to create one connection that a estimate 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 connect Your iPad Or Laptop to a mobile Phone Network