Starting May 17, Novatel and Verizon Wireless are planning to offer a new service: "Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot." The Novatel MiFi 2200 is a device that acts as a short-range Wi-Fi hub. The MiFi 2200 also contains an EV-DO data modem that connects to the Verizon Wireless network. Up to 5 devices can connect via WiFi, and share the Internet access.
The MiFi 2200 is very small: 3.5" x 2.3" x 0.4," weight 2.05 ounces. Its rechargeable battery provides about 4 hours of service. I believe the battery is similar to the battery in a cell phone, so it can be quickly replaced with a fresh battery when you need more than 4 hours of continuous connectivity.
The MiFi 2200 will be available from Verizon Wireless Stores for $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate if you sign up for a two-year service agreement. There are two price plans:
$40 a month buys 250 MB of data transfers. Beyond 250 MB you pay 10 cents a megabyte.
$60 a month buys 5 GB of data transfers. Beyond 5 GB, you pay 5 cents per megabyte
Verizon is also offering a "Day Pass." For $15, you can use the MiFi 2200 for 24 hours. There's no mention of data limits. If you want this service, you have to pay full price ($150) for the MiFi 2200.
EV-DO service is not very speedy, and it will become quite slow if you share access between several computers that are actively using the Web. For email, and for a single computer accessing the Web, EV-DO is probably OK. I expect that Novatel will offer a model that uses 3G wireless at some point, perhaps through a carrier like ATT that has more 3G service.
Here's what ATT says about 3G vs EVDO speeds:
3G download 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps
3G upload 500 to 800 Kbps
3G service is available in more than 280 major US metropolitan areas.
EV-DO average data speeds between 75-135 Kbps
EV-DO is available in more than 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along 40,000 miles of highways in the US.
In actual use (I've used both), EV-DO feels like a 56Kbit modem, and 3G feels about twice as fast.
3G does use battery power faster. That's another reason why the Novatel device uses EV-DO.
Chip Haven
The MiFi 2200 is very small: 3.5" x 2.3" x 0.4," weight 2.05 ounces. Its rechargeable battery provides about 4 hours of service. I believe the battery is similar to the battery in a cell phone, so it can be quickly replaced with a fresh battery when you need more than 4 hours of continuous connectivity.
The MiFi 2200 will be available from Verizon Wireless Stores for $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate if you sign up for a two-year service agreement. There are two price plans:
$40 a month buys 250 MB of data transfers. Beyond 250 MB you pay 10 cents a megabyte.
$60 a month buys 5 GB of data transfers. Beyond 5 GB, you pay 5 cents per megabyte
Verizon is also offering a "Day Pass." For $15, you can use the MiFi 2200 for 24 hours. There's no mention of data limits. If you want this service, you have to pay full price ($150) for the MiFi 2200.
EV-DO service is not very speedy, and it will become quite slow if you share access between several computers that are actively using the Web. For email, and for a single computer accessing the Web, EV-DO is probably OK. I expect that Novatel will offer a model that uses 3G wireless at some point, perhaps through a carrier like ATT that has more 3G service.
Here's what ATT says about 3G vs EVDO speeds:
3G download 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps
3G upload 500 to 800 Kbps
3G service is available in more than 280 major US metropolitan areas.
EV-DO average data speeds between 75-135 Kbps
EV-DO is available in more than 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along 40,000 miles of highways in the US.
In actual use (I've used both), EV-DO feels like a 56Kbit modem, and 3G feels about twice as fast.
3G does use battery power faster. That's another reason why the Novatel device uses EV-DO.
Chip Haven
