Vodafone rolls out own-brand Mi-Fi service

gallery

Mobile Wi-Fi competition just got more heated as Vodafone has launched its own all-in-one package starting at £15 per month

Vodafone has followed in rival network Three's footsteps by launching its own mobile Wi-Fi package, allowing up to five devices to share a mobile internet connection at the same time.

Manufactured by Huawei, the Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi router is a portable, batterypowered Mi-Fi device containing a mobile SIM card that enables it to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot and share the connection with other devices within range.

The network has announced three 18-month data deals to choose from, starting at £15 per month plus £49 up front for 3GB of monthly data. An extra £5 per month sees the data allowance rise to 4GB and the initial outlay drop to £29, while £25 per month gets you 5GB of data, with the device itself coming free of charge. A further pay-as-you-go option will be introduced shortly.

A number of SIM-free Mi-Fi devices are available from third-party manufacturers, but so far Three has been the only network to offer an all-in-one package directly. But after more than a year of exclusivity, other networks now appear ready to provide some competition.

As a relatively inexpensive way to get any number of web-capable portable devices online, Mi-Fi's popularity is growing steadily. In particular, the introduction of the iPad has seen demand for mobile Wi-Fi solutions soar, with Mi-Fi offering consumers an alternative to forking out for a dedicated contract on the pricier 3G version of the Apple tablet.

Vodafone claims the Mobile Wi-Fi router will provide four hours of battery life before needing to charge, with download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps possible over 3G or HSDPA networks.

The Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi is available now.

Email to a friend

Print this page