What the heck is MiFi???

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Megafisshy
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Joined: Fri Mar 04, 2016 5:54 pm
Country: South Africa
Firstname: Grant

What the heck is MiFi???

Postby Megafisshy » Tue Mar 08, 2016 3:16 pm

So I was reading up on some offers from South Africa's Mobile Providers and ran accross some "MiFi" devices.
Some providers don't seem to present a lot of information about what MiFi is, case in point, Cell-C. Stay classy Cell-C.

So after some cursory research, I discovered that MiFi isn't some new and speedy Wi-Fi like transmission protocol. It's literally just a Wi-Fi hotspot device. Mobile hotspot devices have been in play for a while now, In fact since they were invented and implemented in 2001. They gained traction around 2012 and became part of many peoples every day life. MiFi devices were pushed into the market around 2009. It turns out that MiFi is just some marketing branding to pull more users into the Mobile Wi-Fi market. It starts to make sense when you think about it from a branding perspective; "Mobile Wi-Fi" but the nomenclature is completely illogical from a technical standpoint.

Now many of us know how to tether to a mobile cellular device and use it as an internet access point. This works most of the time for most users, however there is little control over bandwidth usage, the host cannot control and monitor what users are doing and security can actually be an issue for the host and the users. Tethering is usually limited. Technically Tethering involves the use of a cable, Mobile hotspots being wireless.

Something cool about MiFi devices is that they usually have removable batteries. This means that if a battery gets low, you can swap it out and continue with your connection. MiFi devices also behave like WiFi routers, meaning you can control bandwidth, time windows and basic firewall rules. Unlike tethering or cellular mobile hotspots, these MiFi devices don't disconnect if the host device receives a GSM call or a text message (Source).

MiFi, improved tethering/mobile hotspots. Catchy name. Nothing new. :(

PiFi on the other hand...
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BlackSt0rm
Posts: 40
Joined: Tue Mar 22, 2016 6:23 pm
Country: South Africa
Firstname: Branagth

Re: What the heck is MiFi???

Postby BlackSt0rm » Tue Mar 22, 2016 6:45 pm

Basically just a small network dongle which runs over wifi, as you said; HOWEVER it is pretty useful if you need to connect 5 or so devices onto the same network when you are short on mobile data and the nearest wifi is several meters away.

It is a gimmick like most other "tech thingies" these days, but it is a useful one without a doubt heh.
Is there any other kind of St0rm than Black?


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