Unlocked MIFI Solution
Mar 18, 2011, 6:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 858
Unlocked MIFI Solution
Hi,
This is a problem I am trying to solve for - Internet access in Croatia. We stay in Croatia for about a month each year. At our flat we do not have telephone or cable lines, but we can use a 3G dongle. The problem is there is a bunch of staying with individual PCs, iPhones, iPads, etc so it would be best if we had WiFI access over there for the different devices. No neighbors have Internet access - as far as I am aware of.
In the UK, MiFI devices are getting quiet popular. Would it be possible to get an unlocked MiFI device and then just use the Croatian 3G sim card in it once down in Croatia? Or can I get a UK MiFi device that I use here and get it unlocked?
Thanks,
G
This is a problem I am trying to solve for - Internet access in Croatia. We stay in Croatia for about a month each year. At our flat we do not have telephone or cable lines, but we can use a 3G dongle. The problem is there is a bunch of staying with individual PCs, iPhones, iPads, etc so it would be best if we had WiFI access over there for the different devices. No neighbors have Internet access - as far as I am aware of.
In the UK, MiFI devices are getting quiet popular. Would it be possible to get an unlocked MiFI device and then just use the Croatian 3G sim card in it once down in Croatia? Or can I get a UK MiFi device that I use here and get it unlocked?
Thanks,
G
Mar 18, 2011, 8:02 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the road in North America....
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If you have a USB modem (dongle) that already works, the easiest thing to do is get a Wifi router that you can connect the dongle to. Something like:
http://www.amazon.com/Cradlepoint-CT...dp/B001FWH0A0/
joe
http://www.amazon.com/Cradlepoint-CT...dp/B001FWH0A0/
joe
Mar 18, 2011, 8:33 am
#3
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Amazon sells unlocked mifi's, so they are available (just make sure you are getting the right model for the area you need), though it's probably not the best solution. If Amazon has them, probably everybody does. 
Unless you need it to be a portable device, a router you can use a current dongle in would be a way better way to do it like the one mentioned.
Unless you need it to be a portable device, a router you can use a current dongle in would be a way better way to do it like the one mentioned.
Mar 18, 2011, 12:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: On the road in North America....
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If portability is important, this unit is battery powered, like a MiFi:
http://www.amazon.com/CradlePoint-PH...dp/B001212ELY/
joe
http://www.amazon.com/CradlePoint-PH...dp/B001212ELY/
joe
Mar 19, 2011, 1:57 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
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+1 for the Zoom 3G travel router. About £60 from Amazon in the UK.
However, I find that the speed on my roaming Vodafone UK stick can really suck when abroad - the congestion seems to be in Vodafone in CH - pathping shows huge packet losses.
However, I find that the speed on my roaming Vodafone UK stick can really suck when abroad - the congestion seems to be in Vodafone in CH - pathping shows huge packet losses.
Mar 22, 2011, 6:04 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I have a Novatel MiFi 2352 and am really happy with it. I've used it in the UK, Ireland, France and Italy. Just pop in a SIM card and you've got wifi. I prefer it to a dongle because I can use it with both my netbook and iPod touch. It wasn't cheap but has turned out to be a great investment.
Mar 24, 2011, 2:49 pm
#8
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Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (Android; Opera Mini/5.1.22460/24.743; U; en) Presto/2.5.25 Version/10.54)
My htc desire can act as a wifi hotspot, plus be a phone as well. Why get a new device when a phone can do it?
My htc desire can act as a wifi hotspot, plus be a phone as well. Why get a new device when a phone can do it?
Mar 30, 2011, 6:32 pm
#9
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What is the battery life like when being used in hotspot mode?
Some people are using cheap android phones like the Orange San Francisco (ZTE Blade) or the Huawei Ideos for hotspots. Or Symbian phones which can run Joiku Hotspot software.
Yeah one good thing about mifis over routers is that you can be out in the field, using it with your smart phone, for GPS-aware apps.
But a lot of early mifis seem to be really weak, like no WPA security for instance.
Mar 30, 2011, 7:11 pm
#10
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You could try a device from Cradlepoint. http://cradlepoint.com/products/wire...e-router-ctr35
We use them for work and for the cost >$100 US they use your unlocked 3g/4g usb dongle and it works great.
We use them for work and for the cost >$100 US they use your unlocked 3g/4g usb dongle and it works great.
Mar 31, 2011, 7:43 am
#11
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What is the battery life like on those cradlepoints compared to the Mifis?
Has anyone tried the Huawei Mifis, as opposed to the Novotel ones?
They seem to be about half the price on eBay.
Has anyone tried the Huawei Mifis, as opposed to the Novotel ones?
They seem to be about half the price on eBay.
Apr 1, 2011, 2:40 am
#15
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