What is mifi router

Modem part composed of 3G or 4G or LTE based on different wireless standards and takes care of providing connectivity with next-generation wireless devices. To connect a MiFi router with the cellular network needs a connection with the service provider. With a 4g LTE router, one can connect about 5 wifi router devices simultaneously. Connection speed depends on the capacity of cellular network standards implemented in the 4g LTE router. What is the wifi router? It is a mobile hotspot device that provides connectivity to other devices on-the-go via a process called tethering.

Let us take a detailed look at what this difference means for you, as a wireless internet consumer.

Such WLAN then feed the various devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and laptops with broadband wireless internet. The WiFi antenna signal strength indicator icon or symbol has a dot at the bottom which symbolizes the WiFi source. Each wave that radiates upwards from it indicates higher strength or power of the WiFi coverage.

Although it has not been mentioned anywhere explicitly, the term Mi-Fi can be understood as "Mobile WiFi". Mi-Fi is actually a brand name for a wireless device that acts like a mobile hotspot. Smart phones and tablet computers are mostly used to tether with such devices to connect to Internet for wireless data transfer. Just like Wi-Fi connectivity to Internet is used on computers and laptops, MiFi devices are also used to tether with desktops and lap tops for using mobile data service provided on a SIM card inserted in a Mi-Fi device.

Rarely, an extra cost may be incurred on top of mobile service plan to enable it to tether and thus use MiFi as it is intended to be used. Like using Wi-Fi for broadband Internet service from an Internet Service Provider ISP , there would also probably be a cap albeit much lower on amount of data transfer allowed when using the respective cell service plan with MiFi devices.

This being said, Mi-Fi is used globally to informally address any device capable of providing a mobile hotspot for internet connectivity. Such devices, also known as a Mi-Fi routers comprise of two main parts: a modem, and a Wi-Fi router.

When connected to a cellular network, a Mi-Fi device can serve up to ten devices. The MiFi antenna signal strength indicator icon or symbol has four or five bars that progressively increase in height.

This is same as in mobile smartphones. Each consecutive bar symbolizes higher strength or power of the cellular or mobile coverage. A MiFi is a portable, battery-powered wireless device that taps into 3G, 4G or 5G mobile phone networks to create a mini broadband hotspot.

Its signal can be shared between multiple internet-enabled devices — such as smartphones, laptops, tablets and even games consoles — that are within its range. They can be used anywhere that has a mobile network connection. Mobile broadband routers — which can also be called 4G or 5G home broadband routers — are a lot more fixed. As a result, they could technically replace your main home broadband connection.

With the upcoming rollout of 5G networks across the UK, both devices are now able to access faster mobile speeds than ever before — provided they have a compatible 5G SIM card.

If you have access to a 5G connection, both MiFi devices and mobile broadband routers could connect you to speeds faster than some fixed broadband connections. Strong 5G connections could regularly achieve speeds of Mbps, putting it in direct competition with many ultrafast fibre packages.

However, your speed is very dependent on your connection and can fluctuate throughout the day based on where the device is located, what objects surround it, and how many devices are sharing the network. Its speeds usually rest around 24Mbps, which is significantly slower than 5G but still double the speed of traditional ADSL home broadband.

For more information on mobile broadband dongles, read our guide on mobile broadband dongles. If you don't have a dongle yet, compare mobile broadband packages and learn more about mobile broadband here. Mobile broadband routers have become a lot more popular of late. Thanks to the introduction of 5G, many households who have 5G coverage could actually replace their fixed broadband connection with a faster 5G mobile broadband one.

Vodafone and Three are leading the way with this technology, both offering ultrafast mobile internet through a Huawei 5G router. One of the biggest advantages of MiFis is that they require very little setup. Within a few seconds you should be able to find the available signal on your computer, tablet or any other Wi-Fi-enabled device.

Mobile broadband routers or 4G and 5G home broadband routers need to be plugged into a mains socket.