Mobile Broadband

Mobile wi-fi (MiFi) hotspots

Updated: Friday 28 January, 2011

By Garnet Roach - Garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Mobile wi-fi (also known as MiFi) is the next step for mobile broadband. Share your mobile broadband connection across your smartphone, iPad, PSP and other wireless-enabled devices, no matter where you are.

Mobile wi-fi hotspots

Three Broadband (www.Three.co.uk) became the first provider to launch mobile wi-fi deals in the UK back in 2009, with a choice of either a pay-as-you-go or a rolling one month contract.

Other providers followed suit; T-Mobile broadband (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) with its Wireless Pointer or Orange mobile broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) and Vodafone mobile broadband (www.Vodafone.co.uk) with their Mobile WiFi dongles.

What is mobile wi-fi?

Using a small, portable modem, you can connect to a 3G mobile broadband network. But unlike a standard mobile broadband dongle, which needs a USB port to connect, devices connect to your wi-fi modem wirelessly - it’s just like having your own portable wireless hotspot.

It works in a similar way to current mobile broadband routers that allow you to connect your mobile USB modem stick and share your mobile broadband connection.

Video: How MiFi works and how to get it

What’s the difference between mobile wi-fi and mobile broadband?

Using a mobile wi-fi modem you can connect any wireless-enabled device to your 3G mobile broadband signal, whether or not they have a USB port - not just laptops and netbooks.

This means that you can connect devices like the iPad, the Sony PSP or your latest smartphone, as well as being able to share your connection with friends if you want.

Download limits

If you decide to share your mobile wi-fi connection with multiple devices, or with friends, make sure that you keep a close eye on your download allowance. In the same way that regular mobile broadband contract customers are charged if they exceed their limit, you could have to pay extra for any data you use over your mobile wi-fi allowance - and costs can soon add up.