Wireless mobile broadband

Wireless mobile broadband explained

Wireless mobile broadband for the most part refers to the kind of connections provided by MiFi units. These are innovative new devices that enable you to share a mobile broadband connection between multiple users simultaneously.

A MiFi is a compact device that allows more than one user to simultaneously connect to the internet wirelessly via a shared mobile broadband connection. As with dongles, Mi-Fi broadband users can buy credit on a pay as you go and one-month basis or sign up for a longer monthly contract.

The principal difference between them is that dongles only allow you to connect one device to the internet. Conversely, a Mi-Fi lets five people share the same connection.

How does a MiFi broadband device work?

MiFis work in much the same way as wireless broadband hotspots that let you get online in locations such as municipal buildings and certain coffee shop and fast-food chains.

In a nutshell, a MiFi taps into cellular 3G networks and generates a mini, localised wireless broadband cloud with a radius of over thirty feet. This signal can be picked up by any devices in the vicinity.

Which mobile broadband providers offer MiFis?

Currently, the only providers offering a MiFi unit are 3 and T-Mobile. Both companies allow customers to choose from short contract, pay as you go deals or longer contracts. 3's MiFi deals start at just £9.50 per month when subscribers sign up for an 18-month contract.

Using a dongle and router to get wireless mobile broadband

Mobile broadband, which runs on the mobile phone network, is intrinsically wireless. In comparison to home broadband, which needs landlines or cables, wireless mobile broadband can be used wherever you are - wirelessly.

Mobile broadband continues to dominate the UK broadband market and the latest development to spur this growth is the development of wireless routers, also known as MiFi units or MiFis, that can be used with mobile broadband.

How to use wireless mobile broadband:

1. Turn on your MiFi unit. Then wait for your computer to pick up the signal it emits.

That’s all you have to do – it’s a one-step process.

Advantages of wireless mobile broadband:

• You can share your broadband connection with the rest of your house
• More than one person can connect to the internet at any time
• No need for a landline, which spells massive savings on rental
• You can create a wireless area wherever you go – at work or in the home

Disadvantages of wireless mobile broadband:

• If your broadband download speed is extremely slow, sharing the connection between more than 2 people will exacerbate this problem possibly making it impossible to connect to the internet.

Wireless mobile broadband providers:

3 are the only mobile broadband operator currently offering wireless routers with their mobile broadband deals at present. When you sign up to a mobile broadband deal with 3 you can get a wireless router for just £69.99.

T-Mobile's equivalent offering is called the T-Mobile Share Dock. This will also allow T-Mobile customers to plug in their mobile broadband dongles to create a wireless network area.

Technical specifications of mobile broadband wireless routers:

Network and Connection

• WLAN: IEEE 802.11b/g
• UMTS Signal Indication
• DC connector and external DC power supply
• Chipset BCM5354
• Connector for external USB device
• Up to 32 users connected through WiFi

Size

• Dimensions: 110 x 90 x 27 mm
• Weight: 200g Compatible with
• Huawei modems only

Mobile broadband

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