What is MiFi? 10 Things You Need to Know

Man using mifi while in an airport terminal

Have you ever heard of a MiFi? Are you wondering, “how does MiFi work?” If so, you are in the right place.
Fitness and bodybuilding room FIT TRAINING BÉZIERS four weeks workout plan buy bodybuilding anabolic steroid – dorothynb1 – forum alvasoftnet.
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 phone, 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.

Phone Owners with Bad Battery Life

Are you searching for ways to preserve the battery life of your phone? 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 phone, 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 phone plan
    • Save your phone’s battery
    • Easily tether multiple devices to the MiFi hotspot
    • Work for extended amounts of time without losing internet connectivity
    • Use your phone 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, phone, 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 phone providers offer these devices.

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

About i.e.Smart Systems

i.e.Smart Systems is a Houston, TX based technology integration partner that specializes in design and installation of audio/visual technology and structured cabling. For more than three decades, our team of in-house experts has partnered with business owners, architectural firms, general contractors, construction managers, real estate developers, and designers in the Houston market, to deliver reliable, scalable solutions that align with their unique goals.