Verizon MiFi 2200

The MiFi from Verizon Wireless takes the usual wireless broadband connection to a new level. The MiFi offers mobile broadband access via WiFi for up to five devices at a time, all in a package smaller than a BlackBerry.

When the MiFi is first plugged in to the computer, a drive is mounted allowing the installation of VZAccess Manager directly from the device. This is necessary only once to activate the device. Once activated, the MiFi connects to the Verizon network automatically when powered on. The MiFi offers a good selection of configuration options, allowing the user to modify the SSID of the wireless network and select security options, all through a web interface familiar to anyone that has used a router at home.

The MiFi sports a Micro USB connector that doubles as a charging port and a connectivity port. While plugged in to a computer, internet access is available via tethering using VZAccess Manager. For battery life reasons, it is a good idea to consider tethering when you don't need to have WiFi access to multiple devices. While tethered, the MiFi disables wireless access.

While testing the device, I found the wireless signal to be good to around 30 feet before dropping off. Not bad from such a small, and battery powered, device. I found that I was generally able to get at least a few hours out of the battery.

Bandwidth was generally good. I got somewhere around 1.5Mb/second down and 400Kb/second up most of the time. Some streaming video was slightly choppy at times, but most sites I tested were quick. The numbers are around what I would expect from a Rev. A device, and there seems to be little or no drop in performance from the WiFi or routing overhead. Speeds understandably drop when the device is serving multiple devices.

I found the MiFi to be a very impressive device overall. The flexibility of the device makes this very compelling for anyone in the market for a wireless broadband device. There are few downsides when compared with other 3G access devices. The MiFi is a very solid effort for a first offering in this type of device, and one I have no problem recommending.