Vodafone announces mobile Wi-Fi hotspot device

The Wi-Fi hotspot that fits in your pocket

Vodafone is to make available a mobile hotspot that can connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices to the internet using a 3G wireless broadband connection.

The Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot, also known as the MiFi 2352, enables consumer or business customers to connect several devices wirelessly from anywhere within the Vodafone network's mobile broadband footprint, the company said.

However, the device is initially available only in Germany, Romania and Spain, and Vodafone declined to say when it would be available to UK buyers. In Spain it costs €29 (£25) with a Vodafone data tariff.

Rival operator 3 unveiled a similar device in August.

The credit-card sized MiFi 2352 supports up to five simultaneous devices connected via Wi-Fi within a 10-metre radius. Alternatively, it can be plugged directly into a laptop via a USB cable and used as a 3G modem.

All client devices have to share the available bandwidth offered by the hotspot, with Vodafone's HSPA network supporting up to 7.2Mbit/s on downloads and 5.7Mbit/s on the uplink.

The hotspot has a rechargeable battery that delivers up to four hours of active use, according to Vodafone, plus it has 16GB built-in storage for sharing content such as documents, music, video and pictures.

"The Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot offers mobile professionals, students and families a one-touch connectivity solution that turns Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as MP3 players and laptops into connected mobile internet devices," said Vodafone mobile broadband director Huw Medcraft.