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Verizon's answer to WiFi: MiFi
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Verizon Wireless will begin selling a device from Novatel Wireless that allows mobile users to connect multiple devices to a 3G connection. 
The MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot, uses Verizon's EV-DO Rev. A network to create a personal WiFi cloud that can connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices, such a digital cameras or an iPod Touch, to the Internet.
The product appears to be a way for Verizon to keep devices on its 3G network rather than accessing public WiFi hotspots. WiFi access is becoming a critical feature in many smartphones. A recent ABI Research report on behalf of the WiFi Alliance shows consumers view WiFi as a "must-have" feature for mobile handsets. The firm found that 77 percent of mobile phone users want WiFi on their next handset and three-fourths of the people who have WiFi capability in their smartphones use it regularly. Devices such as the iPhone have created demand for WiFi access. To date, Verizon has shunned WiFi access on mobile devices.
"With projected growth rates of over 30 percent for WiFi mobile phones, MiFi will be of great benefit to both business customers and consumers," said Mike Lanman, vice president with Verizon Wireless, in a statement. "It gives customers the flexibility to transform their WiFi-enabled consumer electronic into mobile broadband devices and to choose how and when they need to be connected at a price point that will match most budgets."
The MiFi device, which weighs a little more than 2 ounces, will be available on May 17 for $100 after a $50 mail-in rebate. Users can sign up for a $40 monthly plan for 250 MB of data, or a $60 plan for up to 5 GB of data. Additionally, customers will be able to sign up for 24-hour access for a $15 fee.
For more:
- check out InformationWeek
- and this press release
Related articles:
WiFi becoming valuable customer retention tool
Will the next BlackBerry Storm include WiFi?
Study: Smartphones users prefer WiFi over 3G
WiFi: More relevant than ever
2008 Year in Review: WiFi gains significance again
Comments
Posted by Martin Suter | May 11, 2009 - 11:34am
Lynette;
Another great blog on a very cool device. While this is an implicit acknowledgement that Wi-Fi on devices has reached critical mass, it will be interesting to see the impact that the pricing model will have on uptake. It's also going to be interesting to see the early reports on performance, especially with several Wi-Fi devices connected simultaneously, all being backhauled using cellular. One can also imagine that there will be an increased data load on the Verizon network which could cause capacity issues, perhaps not to the same extent as the iPhone (with fewer Me-Fi devices and limited use data plans). All-in-all, a very interesting move by Verizon.
That's my .02!
Martin
Posted by Lynnette Luna | May 11, 2009 - 11:45am
You are right on all of these points. Thank you for bringing them up. --Lynnette
Posted by Poora ta caro | May 26, 2009 - 6:26pm
It's too expensive!!! i can use free of 3G? on another internet service?
Bye
Posted by Anonymous | June 12, 2009 - 10:52am
The device is already discounted to 1c from Amazon (2 year contract, backordered--ships in July).
Posted by Anonymous | June 12, 2009 - 10:53am
The device is already discounted to 1c from Amazon (2 year contract, backordered--ships in July).
Posted by PL | June 18, 2009 - 2:35am
ludicrously overpriced. none of these plans should cost more than $20 a month
Posted by Anonymous | August 10, 2009 - 8:48am
They should let people use this for free if they already have verizon at home.
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