They currently offer the Samsung SCH-LC11 and Novatel MiFi 4510l, but reviewers have not shown much preference for one over the other, and both are nearly identical hardware-wise. I had a positive ( if not always excellent) experience with my 3G Virgin Mobile MiFi 2200 as well as a Huawei E585 I purchased for use in Europe, so I decided on a “portable hotspot” device from Verizon. Even though I also have a brand-new CBR400, it’s not battery powered and my MBR1200 isn’t exactly portable! Mini Review: Verizon Novatel MiFi 4510l I considered a USB modem for use with my Cradlepoint router, but my old PHS300 doesn’t support them. On the device front, all of Verizon’s offerings support both 3G (EVDO) and 4G (LTE) data, which is great since I don’t live in a 4G area but often travel. I decided to settle for a contract, assuming the money I save now can be applied to the early termination fee if I decide to drop service. Verizon 4G devices sell for $150 or more, even as Clear 4G modems can be found under $50. I searched eBay for an inexpensive Verizon modem to purchase, since I dislike contracts, but came away disappointed. A 2-year contract gets a generous equipment discount, as is typical in the industry. $50 buys you 5 GB of monthly data on the 3G or 4G network, and $80 doubles that data allowance. Verizon’s 4G offerings are fairly pedestrian and somewhat expensive. Even other LTE buildouts (from Lightsquared, AT&T, and Clearwire) will not be as solid in the USA as Verizon’s since they will use that troubled 2.5/2.6 GHz spectrum as well. In contrast, Verizon’s 700 MHz “Upper SMB block C” spectrum licenses are much cleaner and penetrate buildings far better. Clearwire’s 2.5/2.6 GHz WiMAX network suffers from interference from 2.4 GHz devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cordless phones, microwave ovens, security cameras, and all sorts of other wireless junk) and is extremely sensitive to walls, hills, and antenna orientation. Verizon really has another ace in the hole when it comes to 4G. In just over one year, Verizon has lit up their 4G data network to cover more than half the population of the USA, and they announce even more availability on a regular basis. Although LTE is quite different from earlier GSM-based technologies, it shares some common supporting elements, including SIM cards and other access-control technology.īut Verizon has firmly and completely committed to LTE even as Clearwire and Sprint waver on WiMAX. After all, they are the largest non- GSM mobile provider, having followed the path to IS-95 and EV-DO while arch-rival AT&T (and most of the rest of the world’s mobile operators) focused on GSM and HSPA. It is extremely odd that Verizon chose LTE for their 4G network. With an all-IP platform and the support of computer giants like Intel, how could it fail? But everything has been derailed since then, and LTE has emerged as the likely 4G champ worldwide. You should probably read 4G Connectivity Options Proliferate and Hands-On Review: Clear WiMAX Service (and PXU1900 USB Modem) first!Ī few years, back, it looked like WiMAX was the wave of the future for mobile network access. My experience with Verizon’s 4G LTE service, and their Novatel MiFi 4510l modem, has been quite positive so far. And Verizon has the benefit of better if less-plentiful spectrum for their network. Verizon began their LTE buildout after Clearwire’s WiMAX was already widely deployed, but they have moved aggressively to catch up. Somewhat disappointed in the Clear PXU1900, I decided to try another 4G mobile broadband solution. I purchased Novatel's latest 4G MiFi, the 4510l, from Verizon and am very impressed by it so far
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