MiFi

For other uses, seeMifi (disambiguation).

MiFiis a brand ofwireless routerthat acts as a mobileWi-Fi hotspotdevice.

A Novatel MiFi 2372 "Intelligent Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot"

In many countries, includingThe United States,Canada,andMexico,Inseego Corp. (previously known as Novatel Wireless)owns aregistered trademarkon the "MiFi" brand name; in theUnited Kingdom,mobile operatorHutchison 3Gowns the "MiFi" trademark. Novatel Wireless has never offered an official explanation for the origin of the name "MiFi"; it has been suggested that it is short for "My Wi-Fi".

A MiFi device can be connected to acellular networkand provide Internet access for up to fifteen devices. Inseego Corp. introduced the first MiFi device in the United States in May 2009.In the UK, Hutchison 3G's "MiFi" is a similar product fromHuaweiwith the same name.

MiFi brand name

Novatel Wireless owns a registered trademark on the "MiFi" brand name in the U.S. (includingPuerto Rico), and a number of countries worldwide:Bahrain,Canada,Egypt,Germany,Ghana,Hungary,Japan,Kuwait,Mexico,Pakistan,theNetherlands,New Zealand,Poland,Portugal,Qatar,Romania,Singapore,Slovenia,South Africa,Spain,andThailand.

The notable exception is in the UK, where mobile operator3owns the "MiFi" trademark. InIndiathe Mi-Fi trademark is owned by Mi-Fi Networks Private Limited.

Devices

Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200

MiFi 2200 from Novatel Wireless forVerizon Wireless

• Limited to five Wi-Fi clients such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices, and multimedia players; with the exception of manually editing the device’s configuration file to allow more clients.
• May be connected to a computer via a micro-USBconnection, though doing so disables the Wi-Fi networking, converting the device into a traditional single-client modem. (However,CNETdescribed a tweak to charge the device over USB while maintaining its functionality.)
• Includes aGPSunit, which is usable on some networks likeVirgin Mobileand not on others like Verizon.
• Uses3Gdata network (CDMA 1xEVDO RevA).

Novatel Wireless MiFi 23xx series

Same functionality as 2200, plus:

• AcceptsSD cardfor in-device shared media storage.
• Uses3Gdata network (Mini 2352: SUPRA/PATHS 900/1900/2100 MHz, MiFi 2372: SUPRA/PATHS 850/1900/2100 MHz; both support GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz).

Novatel Wireless MiFi 33xx series

Same functionality as 23xx series, plus:

• Linux-based MiFi OS with widgets:
  • Messages: perform SMS-based messaging actions such as reading, writing, sending, and receiving SMS messages
  • Data usage: track MiFi data usage in home and roaming networks
  • GeoSearch: leverage the GPS functionality of the MiFi to display a map of the local area, search the local area, display the search results on the map
  • Weather: fetch weather data for the current and defined locations
  • MiFi DLNA Server: start, stop, and configure the MiFi DLNA server

4G mobile hotspot devices

MiFi 4510L from Novatel Wireless forVerizon Wireless

MiFi 4082 from Novatel Wireless forSprint Nextel

The Las VegasConsumer Electronics Show2011 saw the introduction of two new4G-capable MiFi devices from Novatel:

• Verizon Wirelessfeatured the 4510L model, which will connect to Verizon's LTE 4G network, expected to support 5–12Mbpsdownload and 2–5 Mbit/s upload.
• Sprintfeatured the MiFi 4082, aWiMAXversion.

Both devices maintainbackward compatibilitywith existing 3G networks. Other features include:

• MiFiOS with widget support
• MicroSD cardslot
• GPSreceiver
• Four-hour battery life
• Front panel status display usingE Inktechnology. 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.

5G mobile hotspot devices

In November 2019,Vodafone Qatarand Inseego Corp. together launched the Gulf region’s first commercially available 5G mobile hotspot, 5G MiFi M1100.

• Connects up to 16 devices simultaneously (15 by Wi-Fi plus one by USB or Ethernet)
• Power optimization featuresQuick Chargetechnology and high-capacity battery

Non-Novatel wireless devices

A number of providers other than Novatel provide personal hotspot, "MiFi" -like services:

nyx mobile "mifi LTE" mobile router

Huawei 4G MiFi forCamtelCameroon

• Alcatel One TouchLink Y800 sold throughEEin the UK
• Dongler DL9255 - supports GSM and WiFi-Bridging connectivity
• D-LinkDIR-457/MyPocket
• Freedom Spot Personal Hotspot
• Goodspeedmobile hotspot supports3G/3.5G
• Huawei E5E5830 (Series), E585, E586 withHSPA+and Chinese market E5805 usingCDMA2000and ET536 usingTD-SCDMA
• MiFi LTE nyx mobile is a mobile router 3G + 4G (LTE) launched by nyx mobile forTelcel.It is built usingQualcommtechnology and is expected to support up to 100Mbpsdownload. (Announced by June 2013 forMéxico
• NetgearAirCard 781S (Sold under the name Zing by Sprint)
• OptionGlobeSurfer III
• Packet One NetworksMF230 (offered as part of their P1 ToGo plan)
• Sierra WirelessOverdrive (Note:4Gcapable; available only in the United States through Sprint)
• Tp-linkM7450
• ZTEMF60, MF80
• JioFiis a mobile router 4G (LTE) launched in India.
• Horizon has MH50 a 4G/LTE Mobile Hotspot
• Horizon has MH500C a 5G Mobile Mi-Fi
• Inseego 5G MiFi M1000
• HT 5G Hub
• Netgear Nighthawk M2 Mobile Router

Alternatives

Further information:tethering

Mobile phones with an Internet connection can often be turned intoWi-Fihotspots using a process called "tethering",which is similar to using dedicated MiFi devices.

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

• Androidphones running Android 2.2 or later
• BlackBerrydevices running OS 7.1 or later
• iPhone 3GSandiPhone 4runningiOS4.3 or later,and all iPhones onVerizon Wireless(initially released withiOS 4.2.5)
• PalmPixi PlusandPre Pluson Verizon Wireless,with a 5GB cap
• Windows Phonedevices running OS 7.5 or later (and if allowed by operator)

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

• Androidrunning Android 2.1 or under – Wireless Tether
• iPhone 3Gand later – requiresjailbreak.
• PiFi – Personal WiFi Device
• S60phones andNokia N900– JoikuSpot
• Windows Mobile– WMWifiRouter

Awards

• Novatel MiFi 2200:
  • Mobile Village "Mobile Star" (Portable Remote Connectivity Gear): "Superstar" Award (2009)
  • Laptop Magazine Editor's Choice (2009)
  • PC World "Gear of the Year" (2009)
  • Mobile News "Most Innovative Product (non-handset)" (2010)
• Novatel MiFi 2352:
  • Plus X Award in Technology (2009)
  • CTIA Emerging Technology Award (Fashion & Lifestyle Products), 1st Place (2009)
  • CTIA "Hot for the Holidays" (Mobile Internet Device or Netbook) Award (2009)
  • CES Innovations Award (Enabling Technologies) Winner (2010)
  • Mobile World Congress "Global Mobile" Award: Best Mobile Connected Device (2010)
• Novatel 4G MiFi
  • Consumer Electronics Show 2011, Notebook Accessories Category: Best in Show
  • 2010 World Communication Award (WCA) for Best Mobile Device Strategy
  • Mobile Village Mobile Star Award for Best Laptop or Tablet Accessory

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's3Gconnection as well as any other connected devices.Novatel responded that a security patch would be available in February 2010.

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.

Recall information

In May 2010, the MiFi 2372 was recalled in Canada byBell MobilityandRogers Communications.In two documented cases, the difficulty of opening the MiFi battery compartment had caused customers to use levels of force that caused physical damage to the batteries, which then overheated. Novatel replaced the recalled units with ones that have an easier-to-open battery compartment.

Radio interference at trade shows

At two majortrade showsin 2010 —Google's first public demo ofGoogle TVand theiPhone 4demonstrations at the 2010Apple Worldwide Developers Conference— keynote presentations using available Wi-Fi connectivity were disrupted by network unreliability. The problem was traced to massiveradio interference,caused by the popularity of MiFi and similar devices for "liveblogging"from the trade show floor. AppleCEOSteve Jobssaid that 570 different Wi-Fi networks ( "several hundred" being MiFi's) had been operating simultaneously in theAppleexhibit hall.