Deloitte Telecom SIG: Word of the Day: MiFi

MiFi: Developed by Novatel, a portable broadband wireless device typically the size of a credit card that combines functions of a modem, router and access point. Designed to simplify setting up a small local area network (LAN) a MiFi hotspot is a device that connects to a cellular 3G network and bridges the network to Wi-Fi devices (up to 10m/30ft distance). This creates a local “cloud” of high-speed Internet connectivity that can be shared between users and Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices, and multimedia players. The device can be connected to a computer via a MicroUSB connection, though doing so disables the wireless feature. In the U.S., MiFi devices are available from Verizon Wireless (MIFI 2200) and Sprint (MIFI 2200).

Below is a list of some of MiFi’s other featuers:
- Storage capacity.
- The ability to host applications.
- Supports EV-DO or UMTS/HSDPA 3G technologies.
- Internal battery offers four hours active use, forty hours standby before it needs to be recharged.
- Can be configured for automatic email synching and virtual private network (VPN) connection.
- Supports remote management.

Source: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/mifi.html