Novatel MiFi 2200 54 Mbps Wireless G Router

I bought this MiFi router because I had a USB modem through Verizon and I was having a very difficult time getting a signal. Also, I wanted to be able to connect our Wii and Ds to the internet. I tried to get it through Verizon, but it was almost $200! I found it here instead for less than $30!!!
When I opened the package I was blown away at how small and compact it is. It's about the size of a deck of cards, but not nearly as thick so it's easily portable. The best part is that it has improved our signal 100%!

When I purchased this Device Verizon had a $40 Plan which has since been withdrawn.

The Beauty of this device over a USB Card is the ability to utilise it with upto 5 Separate devices. Spartphones, Laptops, PS3 etc..

For $50 You get upto 5gb of data and on a network that offers service in many areas of the United States although honestly there are areas where it simply does not work.

I travel between KS and OK and along US169 service is Sporadic to say the least but this is due to the lack of towers not the device itself.

One of the additional benefits of Wi-Fi is the ability to use this on Any Operating System out there without the need for any drivers. I have used this on a Laptop using Linux and a Tablet PC using Android.

This Device is also available for Sprint and Virgin as Virgin uses the Sprint Network.

2 things to consider.

If you use Ebay to purchase this product you can then free yourself of any commitment as you are bringing your own device and even though networks will try they cannot charge you a cancellation fee should you decide to switch networks or stop service.

Before you purchase a device on Ebay make sure that it is Clear of Any outstanding balances or not been reported Lost or Stolen as these will NOT be activated.

This is a great wireless device and well worth the money as long as you understand that you will find bad coverage areas but the ability to use this anywhere in the US will save you time money and convenience as well as allowing you to run multiple devices.

Verizon also emails you as you begin to reach or exceed 50% or your usage and this is important as it will save you alot of potential overages at the end of the month.

Be VERY careful when consiering on signing a contract for this VERIZON Mobile Hot Spot/WiFi unit. No offense to anyone that has one and loves it, but there are a lot of HIDDEN details on how this Verizon service works, that they will not tell you and you wont discover without doing some extensive research yourself. This little unit is handy, VERY convenient, can be taken just about anywhere, and can offer Internet usage to up to 5 users at a time. The catches: as of May 2010, it is only based on a general 5G network(which means it is NOT "unlimited" Internet for its Users), it will work in most of the United States, but in many areas, not very well(see the white and blue areas on the Verizon Coverage Map) - large cities an highly populated areas have much better coverage, Some areas have very little to no coverage, Users are very limited on how much Internet they can access in ONE month without going over on their plan an being charge the additional $1.99 rate(which can get VERY expensive unexpectedly, especially if youre allowing more than one or two Users to each unit per month). The main catch they try and fail to tell you is that MOST of the Users that have this service pay way more than he standard Contract charge per month(ours was $59.99/month). Those that leave their computers online, or tend to watch/download streaming videos, etc face the highest overage charges.

Yes, its a great little device, works great, has excellent review ratings, but BE VERY CAREFUL not to go over your monthly usage. We ourselves are online 24/7/365, to the bill as you can imagine can be extraordinary when it arrives in your mailbox. Verizon suggests that subscribers(Users) either purchase two of these units and have two plans, or else purchase individual Smart Cards(USB) for each User.

According to a handful of Verizon Customer Service and Sale Reps, Verizon oes not offer ANY "UNLIMITED" WiFi plans, unlike other providers such as Alltel, etc(even though Alltel is now Verizon). If youre looking for UNLIMITED Wireless Internet usage through a Cellphone Service Provider, we strongly encourage using an Unlimited DATA Plan with your SmartPhone(and other select phones) through either Alltel or AT&T. To run your Laptop or computer as a Wireless unit, you can simply purchase a SmartPhone(or other select phone that can act as a modem) and purchase the fairly reasonable TETHERING Service(only $10-$15/month). With this, you'll be able to take your Laptop ANYWHERE in the country and have GREAT Unlimited WiFi service. The only catch here is when youre tethering online with your cellphone/PDA to Laptop, you cannot make or receive calls. You simply set your phone to tether(connect to the Internet as a Moem) and use the accessory cable that connects the phone to the USB port on your Laptop, and you can have WiFi 24/7/365 nationwide. With Alltel, youre safe to know that you wont receive a $1200 bill at the end of the month.

For more details on tetheringm you can see our Reviews/Guides on the Motorola Q. We have use the Q to tether for years, along with the Samsung Hue. Other phones that can tether include: most Blackberry phones, Palm Pre Plus and other Palm phones, HTC Droid ERIS, and Samsung Alias 2 just to name a few.

HOPE THIS INFO HELPS!

Please do a LOT of research on your own BEFORE signing up with a MiFi 2200 contract with Verizon, and o NOT take Verizons wor on what they tell you(they have very limited knowledge when it comes to their products).

I got my first MiFi2200 from Verizon when they first came out. I like being able to take it with me. After a couple of years it quit working. Verizon wanted me to buy another one from them at a ridiculous price and a two year contract. I ordered this one from Ebay for 35dollars and Verizon activated it...no contract. It works just like the first one...pretty good, but not fantastic. There are times when it is as slow as dial up, but usually it is fast enough for general use.
My complaint is with Verizon....I was on a 3 gig per month plan for $35, which is all I need. When my first MiFi went bad, I had to switch to an old USB Novatel which could only be activated with a 5gig plan, 60 dollars per month, but the agent told me I could go back to the 3gig plan when I got the new MiFi. When I tried to go back to 3gig, they said I could not, it was no longer available. I am now trying to get Verizon to honor their word, but it looks grim so far. If they do not put me back on the 3gig plan I am canceling my service with them my next billing period, after years of service with them. I will also file a complaint with FCC. As far as the MiFi goes, it is pretty cool.

This is the most convenient wireless router and holds a charge for at least 3 hours. I am able to run up to five wireless capable devices at a time. Much better than going to a public hotspot!