Comments on: Vodafone’s new dongles and data deals are good, but where’s the MiFi?

By: remove Internet Defender virus

remove Internet Defender virus — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:07:00 +0000

They are expensive.

By: remove Internet Defender virus

remove Internet Defender virus — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 07:07:00 +0000

They are expensive.

By: CletusShirley

CletusShirley — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 01:19:17 +0000

I'm glad you said their deals are "good" and you didn't use a better word. I haven't seen a Vodafone offer as good as other carrier's offers. I'm subscribed to easysaver since 2008 and gave received all phone related offers so I haven't missed Vodafone's. Indeed, their offers are good but they never offer something incredible.

By: Ewan

Ewan — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:07:45 +0000

Good to hear, StandardBearer. It's one of those things. Somebody somewhere at Vodafone said 'no' to MiFi. No matter, though – as you pointed out, you just need to go and buy one.

I'm just sad for those I know who like to buy direct from their operator. There's quite a demand for the Vodafone UK MiFi unit amongst the consumers I know. But they'll stick to arsing around with dongles.

By: StandardBearer

StandardBearer — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 16:37:40 +0000

We have a very large corporate account with Vodafone – and they are not the best at rolling out new tech..
We've resorted to buying the Novatel MiFi units from resellers like Expansys because even with our clout (and we have plenty with Voda) they didn't see the need for the device. Trying to source these through Vodafone proved a futile and time consuming exercise that was costing us more in time than the devices! We now use these very successfully for networking our teams when they go onto a client site, and also gives them 3G access at corporate rates where no other signal exists. You tell me what else there is to allow a team to continue working together when in the back of an exec travel coach/car and seamlessly continue being linked to each other and the web whatever the venue? Not many – and not as easy.
I now carry one instead of a USB stick, and the bonus is that it works with my iPod Touch. I charge it with one charger – the BlackBerry USB charger. I use a Mophie power pack for the iPod (same connector as the BB Bold phone, and carry the USB cable for the MiFi. Works fine with no added hassle.
MiFi battery life is around 4 to 5 hours anyhow.
Personally – I don't know how I ever managed without one!
Each to their own.

By: MarkyD

MarkyD — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 04:33:21 +0000

I thought this was available on Vodafone UK through Carphone Warehouse???

Am I mistaken?

By: sheepdog_herding

sheepdog_herding — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:42:46 +0000

Not so good – previous PAYG didn't run out after 30 days (180 days before) which was the major advantage over the others. Although it is more 3GB than previous 1GB it's annoying as I tend to use it infrequently and not a heavy user at that. Maybe time to start looking at tethering my Blackberry instead.

By: Jakdaw

Jakdaw — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:11:46 +0000

I take it back then!

Out of interest, what software were you using?

By: Ewan

Ewan — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:09:13 +0000

Me and quite a few other power users reading Mobile Industry Review

By: Jakdaw

Jakdaw — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 21:13:15 +0000

Well done Vodafone. Do normobs *really* want another battery to keep charged? MiFi solves a problem that simply doesn't exist.

If this problem really did exist, then a small proportion of people would have found some other way to solve it – find me a geek who plugs their dongle into their laptop and then uses the laptop's build-in wifi to share internet for other devices. That's completely possible, gives you all the same functionality of MiFi (ie multiple devices) & without the extra battery to keep charged, but I'll bet you can't find anyone who actually does so regularly.