I just got an unlocked Novatel MiFi 2372 for a decent price
(50 USD
) with dreams of being able to browse the Web anywhere. Then I found out some things that woke me up quickly. First, the voice/data SIM card from my phone won't work in it. I contacted my cellular carrier
(AT&T
), which advised me that I need a different data plan with a different SIM card to use the MiFi even though I currently have an unlimited data plan.
The news gets worse. I found out there are no truly unlimited data plans by any carriers for MiFi users any more. Those that are "unlimited" drop 3G speed and implement a snail's pace
(usually about 200 kbps
) after 5 GB of data in the billing month. My guess is it wouldn't take long to get to the 5 GB limit with one device connected at a time, let alone five. And if I cancel my phone's unlimited data to save on the monthly bill, I can't get it back later if I want cuz it's no longer offered - only "grandfathered" to those who already have it.
So now I'm considering my options. My phone's 3G card will still work in my Sierra Wireless 860 PCMCIA adapter, but that limits me to my older CE 4.x devices with PCMCIA slots
(like my Netbook Pro
), and it seems a bit slow that way. My phone is Bluetooth and IR-enabled, so Bluetooth remains an option with the phone, but how does the speed using the phone as modem compare to MiFi?
(I've also been unable to figure out thus far how to set up the Bluetooth connection for Web browsing. Remember, folks, I'm still a techno-idiot.
) Anyway, I really like the idea of having the ability to browse with more than one device through the portable hotspot - like if my girlfriend and I are on the road together and want to browse at the same time on our own computers, or if I want to do some file sharing on the road.
I know at least a few other members here have used MiFi at some point. Can some of you shed some light?