What is MiFi? 10 Things You Need to Know

Author: Molly

Sep. 02, 2024

What is MiFi? 10 Things You Need to Know

What is MiFi? 10 Things You Need to Know

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Have you ever heard of a MiFi? Are you wondering, &#;how does MiFi work?&#; If so, you are in the right place.
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Here you can learn answers to questions like &#;what is MiFi,&#; and &#;how do you buy MiFi services?&#;

The fact is, when you better understand what MiFis are and how they work, you will see all the potential benefits they offer.

What Is MiFi?

A MiFi device is a small and portable router that works like a mobile hotspot for your devices. You can use the MiFi to provide wireless connectivity to your , tablet, computer, and more.

The biggest benefit of using MiFi devices is that regardless of where you are, you can connect to WiFi rather than relying on your expensive cellular data.

Now that you know what a MiFi is, it&#;s time to learn more about it.

1. Origins of the MiFi

MiFi isn&#;t the official word for mobile hotspot devices; it&#;s just a brand name given to the pocket router provided by Novatel.

However, the term MiFi has been adopted and used for any portable hotspot device, just like the term &#;Band-Aid&#; is used for almost all adhesive bandages.

When someone says MiFi, it can mean &#;my WiFi&#; or &#;mobile WiFi.&#; Which one it stands for really depends on whom you ask. However, both names explain how this device is used.

2. WiFi vs. MiFi

The biggest difference between WiFi and MiFi is that MiFi is a device while WiFi is a technology.

You can use a portable MiFi to access the internet through WiFi when you are on the go.

3. People Who Benefit from the MiFi Portable Device

You may wonder who would need or benefit from a MiFi device. There are several groups of people who would benefit from it, including:

Travelers

If you regularly travel to different countries or if you are in areas with limited WiFi access, a MiFi can be beneficial. It provides you with internet connectivity when it may not be available otherwise.

Multiple Device Owners

Do you need several devices to connect to the internet simultaneously when you are away from home? If so, a MiFi device can be beneficial.

Owners with Bad Battery Life

Are you searching for ways to preserve the battery life of your ? If so, a MiFi can be a smart investment. Using cellular data will require more battery life than your MiFi.

Heavy Internet Users

Do you use the internet almost continuously when you are away from home and don&#;t have an unlimited data plan? If so, you should consider a pay-as-you-go MiFi device.

4. MiFi is Slower Than WiFi

MiFi devices aren&#;t designed to provide you with a long-term internet solution. While the devices have come far since they were first introduced, they are still much slower than WiFi.

Most WiFi devices provide a download speed of about 1.5 megabits per second and an upload speed of 0.5 megabits per second. In most cases, this means that these devices aren&#;t ideal for streaming or anything that requires fast data transfer.

If you want a good internet connection for your office or home that you can connect multiple devices to, then you need WiFi. WiFi provides upload speeds that allow you to stream 4K videos easily and play games without latency or issues.

5. MiFi Is Available as a Standalone or Dongle Device

You can purchase MiFi devices as stand-alone or dongle routers.

If you choose a dongle, it must be connected to your device via a USB port. Stand-alone MiFi devices don&#;t have to be physically connected to your device and will work over Bluetooth.

You can only use dongle devices on your computer or laptop. If you need to connect your tablet or , these won&#;t work. You may also &#;jostle&#; the dongle, which can cause you to lose connectivity.

The USB connection is also limited to the amount of data it can transfer simultaneously.

You can carry stand-alone MiFi devices in your pocket or laptop bag. With these, you can connect several devices at the same time.

They also have an independent battery and don&#;t rely on your computer (or another device) for power. Stand-alone MiFi devices are considered a more practical option than dongles.

6. Benefits of Using MiFi Devices

You will see several benefits when you can access the internet and work no matter where you are. Also, it&#;s possible to connect your MiFi hotspot with several devices, which means they are more useful when you are on the go than other internet solutions.

Many people claim the biggest benefit of a MiFi hotspot is that it provides a dedicated connection for their devices, regardless of where they are.

You should consider your internet usage and where you are traveling to find a MiFi hotspot service that will work for you. After all, with more than 31% of U.S. adults being online almost constantly, having on-the-go connectivity is definitely appealing.

Additional benefits offered by a MiFi include:

    • Avoid using data from your plan
    • Save your &#;s battery
    • Easily tether multiple devices to the MiFi hotspot
    • Work for extended amounts of time without losing internet connectivity
    • Use your while accessing the internet on a computer with a MiFi hotspot
        As you can see, the benefits of a MiFi hotspot are impressive. If you haven&#;t used one in the past, it may be time to try it out.

7. Potential Limitations of MiFi Hotspots

The biggest limitation of MiFi hotspots is how fast the internet connection is. This depends on the strength of the data signal provided by the cellular company you use for service.

Additionally, the internet speed may be reduced if you have multiple devices connected to your MiFi hotspot.

Portable MiFi hotspots must have a power source to work, too. If you have connected multiple devices, the battery may die faster than if you were using just one connected device.

8. Use a MiFi as an Alternative to Home WiFi Service

For some, MiFi may be a sufficient internet solution. It&#;s a WiFi hotspot and portable, which allows you to have a quality connection and help eliminate WiFi dead spots.

If you live in a city with sufficient internet coverage, then a MiFi will provide fast connectivity in most cases.

While this is true, choosing a traditional networking solution may be the better option if you are in a bigger city. This is because it will typically provide a more reliable and stable connection than a MiFi. This is true regardless of if you choose DSL, optical, cable internet, or satellite.

MiFi devices are smart solutions for those who travel regularly and those who are often on the go. If you spend a lot of time in urban locations and need private Internet access, a MiFi makes sense, too.

9. Connecting Your MiFi Device

Connecting to your MiFi device to access the internet is a simple process. To do this, use these steps:

        • Install the battery to your MiFi device
        • Insert the SIM card (should be provided by your telecom service)
        • Press &#;Power&#; to turn the MiFi device on
        • Wait for the device to boot up (there will likely be a green light when it is ready)
        • Turn the device you wish to connect on
        • Choose WiFi settings on your computer, , or tablet to search for available networks
        • Type in the SSID name of the MiFi device (it should be found on a sticker on the device)
        • Enter the default password provided by your service company
        • Check the connectivity on the device&#;s notification bar

These are the general steps you will take for most MiFi devices. While they can vary, there won&#;t be many variations from these basic steps.

10. Purchasing a MiFi Device

If you think a MiFi device could benefit you, you may want to purchase one. If this is the case, you will find that most cell providers offer these devices.

You can usually add this device and the connectivity charge to your existing cell plan.

The cost of MiFi per month varies based on what company you choose and how much connectivity power you want.

Is a MiFi Right for You?

MiFi devices offer more than a few benefits. They offer internet access on the go with few limitations.

If you travel often or just need constant connectivity, then a MiFi can be a great investment.

For those with questions related to MiFi devices and WiFi service, contact our team of professionals at i.e. Smart Systems. We will help you get the right connectivity solutions for your needs.

What is MiFi? | How you can stay connected on the go

What is MiFi?

MiFi is a small portable router that acts as a mobile hotspot for any of your devices (cellphone, computer, tablet, etc.). MiFi devices use 4G or 5G networks to connect to the internet. Instead of copper or fiber cabling like regular internet service, the device connects to a fixed wireless tower to bring you a portable internet connection.

Benefits and limitations of MiFi

The benefit of this device is that no matter where you are, you will always be able to connect to Wi-Fi instead of relying on cellular data. You can also use multiple devices with MiFi.

On the downside, internet speed with MiFi depends on the strength of your cellular data signal. Also, the more devices connected to a MiFi hotspot, the slower the speed.

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Where did the term MiFi come from?

MiFi is not the official word for a mobile hotspot device &#; it&#;s simply the brand name for Novatel&#;s pocket router. However, just as &#;Band-Aid&#; is the everyday word for an adhesive bandage, MiFi has become the everyday word for a portable hotspot device. 

MiFi can refer to either &#;mobile Wi-Fi&#; or &#;my Wi-Fi,&#; depending on who you ask. Both references explain the use of this type of device. 

What is the difference between Wi-Fi and MiFi? 

MiFi is a type of device, whereas Wi-Fi is a type of technology. You use a MiFi device to access the internet (through Wi-Fi) when you are on the go. 

Who is MiFi a good fit for?

  • Travelers: If you frequently travel internationally or are frequently in areas without Wi-Fi access, then you would likely benefit from a MiFi device.
  • Multiple device owners: If you require several of your devices (, computer, iPad) to be able to connect to the internet when you are away from home, then you should consider purchasing a MiFi device.
  • Heavy internet users: If you are a heavy internet user outside of your home and do not have an unlimited cellular data plan, then you should consider purchasing a MiFi device.
  • owners with poor battery life: If you are looking to preserve your &#;s battery life, then consider investing in a MiFi device as cellular data sucks up more battery life than MiFi. 

How much does MiFi cost?

We broke down the MiFi data plans&#; starting costs and data ranges from AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. We also included an example of a device cost if you were to purchase a MiFi device from the provider instead of paying for it monthly.

ProviderStarting price (for data)Data range Device cost AT&T$25/mo.20 &#; 100GB $459.99 T-Mobile$10/mo.2GB &#; 100GB $264.00 Verizon$20/mo. 15GB &#; 150GB$79.99

Below we break down each provider&#;s data plans and provide a link to one of their devices. Keep in mind that there are multiple devices to choose from so you&#;ll have some options when it comes to paying monthly or purchasing a device.

AT&T MiFi data plans

AT&T offers four different data plans with the option to add additional data to each plan at $10 for 5GB.

Monthly data plans

  • 20GB: $25/mo. (when you pay 12 months in advance)
  • 15GB/30 days: $35/mo.
  • 50GB/30 days: $55/mo.
  • 100GB/30 days: $90/mo.

Device

Nighthawk M6 Pro Mobile Hotspot: $12.78/mo. or $459.99

T-Mobile MiFi data plans

Those with a T-Mobile plan automatically have access to unlimited 3G speeds for their mobile hotspot device. Add data to your plan to gain access to 5G speeds. Additionally, T-Mobile customers can get 50% off the Inseego 5G MiFi M device when they add a line.

Monthly data plans

  • 2GB: $10/mo. 
  • 5GB: $20/mo.
  • 10GB: $30/mo.
  • 30 GB: $40/mo.
  • 50GB: $50/mo. 

Device 

Inseego MiFi XPro 5G: $11/mo. (for 24 months) or $264 

Verizon MiFi data plans

Verizon offers both monthly and prepaid data plans. If you know you will need access to mobile hotspots frequently, then choose one of the monthly plans. Otherwise, go with one of Verizon&#;s prepaid plans. The prepaid plans are attractive for lighter internet users because they do not require you to pay monthly for data. 

Monthly data plans

  • 15GB: $20/mo.
  • 50GB: $40/mo.
  • 100GB: $60/mo.
  • 150GB: $80/mo.

Prepaid plans

  • 6GB: $35 
  • 16GB: $45
  • 30 GB: $65 

Device

Verizon Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot: $2.22/mo. (for 36 months) or $79.99

The bottom line

If you&#;re looking for the cheapest monthly cost for a MiFi device, then the Verizon Orbic Speed Mobile Hotspot is a good choice. If you want a MiFi device with the fastest Wi-Fi technology, then go for the Netgear Nighthawk M6 Pro. 

FAQs

What is a MiFi device?

A MiFi device is a small portable device that acts as your own personal internet hotspot for your devices. It relies on 4G or 5G networks to bring you internet wherever you are.

How does MiFi work?

MiFi uses 4G or 5G networks to bring you on-the-go internet for your devices. It connects to nearby cell towers to bring you your internet connection. 

How much does MiFi cost?

The full retail prices of MiFi are expensive, but if you opt to buy one through your 4G or 5G provider, then you can instead pay a monthly fee. Keep in mind you&#;ll also need to pay for a data plan when using a MiFi device, so take that cost into account when deciding if it&#;s right for you.  

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Written by:

Ari Howard

Associate Writer, Broadband & Wireless Content

Ari Howard is a staff writer Healthline and spent two years as a writer on the Allconnect team. She specialized in broadband news and studies, particularly relating to internet access, digital safety, broadband-&#; Read more

Edited by:

Shannon Ullman

Editor, Broadband Content

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