• Network Infrastructure

    MiFi

    MiFi, a product from Novatel Wireless, is a credit card sized device that provides a 7 Megabit connection to the internet as a portable wireless hotspot. It’s GPS-enabled and it can serve up to 5 devices using WiFi. Nice little device overall. In my testing it was about twice as fast as my Sprint USB card.

  • Mac OS X,  On the Road,  Travel

    On the Road: Sprint SmartView

    When I’m on the road, I use a Sprint Sierra card. I used to pay for Internet access in my room, fish around for Wi-fi networks, etc. But no more. Now, when I’m at the airport, in the hotel or even when I’m at home and both of my Internet connections go down (sadly, it happens) I’m able to use my laptop and be online. Right now, I’m using the Compass 597 from Sierra, which has a top speed of 3.1 Mbps down or 1.8 Mbps up. I look forward to the day when I can upgrade to the Sierra USB 306/307, which actually bumps that top speed to 21…

  • Business,  Network Infrastructure

    WiMax Enabled Laptops

    Lenovo has released the ThinkPad W700, a WiMax enabled laptop.  Sprint is pushing Xohm, their WiMax unit heavily as the next big thing: a mobile broadband network.  Not nationwide yet, but Lenovo is hoping it will be, with HP, Dell and Acer quickly following.  The network is currently running in Baltimore with plans to expand into Washington and Chicago.  Speeds are fast enough for VoIP and the cost is about the same as the cellular broadband service, at $30 per month.  Is Xohm the next big thing?  We’ll see…