Could Three's MiFi offer an alternative to a lengthy iPad data plan?
But since writing that post I’ve been wondering if a data plan contract is even right for me, especially when I remembered Three’s MiFi ‘dongle’ which provides Wifi access to their mobile internet service.
Thinking over my likely use of an iPad I realised that most of the locations I’d be browsing or blogging from would have Wifi internet and that I’d only need 3G access a very few times a month at most.
That being so, almost any contract is likely to offer poor value for me.
But what if I bought the WiFi only version of the iPad and then used some of the saving between that and the 3G model to buy a MiFi ‘dongle’ (currently as low as £49.99 on Pay As You Go)?
That way I would be able to plug any gaps in the WiFi offerings of buildings I was in with my very own hotspot and without being tied into a long term contract.
Sure it means I’d have to carry around an extra item but I figure anywhere I took my iPad I’d be carrying a backpack any way so it’s hardly going to be a major hassle.
There’d be some positive side benefits as I could share my MiFi connection with any friends who happen to be with me, use it with any other devices I wanted to go online with and, as I wouldn’t be using a carrier-subsidised iPad, I’d be free to sell or pass it on when the inevitable refreshed model makes its debut.
It may not be the most elegant solution but for anyone only occasionally needing 3G connectivity it may be a viable alternative to a lengthy contract.
I have a 16gb Wifi only iPad and bought the Mifi from 3 for exactly the same reason as you describe. It has worked well for me when travelling but has a limited battery life (5 ish hours) and you need to remember to power it off when not in use. A friend showerd me an alternative which is to turn a windows mobile phone into portable router as described at the link:
http://global.wmwifirouter.com/consumer/
I intend to replace my current iPad with a 3G model when it’s available in the UK as I would find GPS useful. There should be a pay-as-you go tariff, which I hope will suit my usage.
Hi Mark
Thanks, the way I’m looking at it is this: My T-Mobile 3G dongle contract ends in a month or so, I need to renew or replace it for use with my MacBook Pro so an iPad 3G data plan would mean I’m paying for my phone plan plus a mobile broadband connection for each device.
The MiFi would allow me to get better value as it can be shared between both devices which seems to make more sense.
Hi Martin
Ah, I see. If you are replacing an existing 3G contract and want to include other devices then Mifi would seem ideal for you. I had 3 Mobile Broadband previously so was able to simply move the SIM card from the USB to Mifi.
One thing to consider with a mifi. When the iPad is locked (not off) then you’ll loose your wifi (mifi) connection, so you won’t get your push notifications for email or any other apps that use this facility until you turn your iPad on and it connects to the mifi again!
That said, who hasn’t got an iPhone nowadays anyway? Then your iPad is only really going to be using mifi when you’re actually, well, er, physically using it.