3G Routers for On-The-Go Web Work

Every laptop comes with Wi-Fi these days, but all the Wi-Fi in the world is useless if you're so remote that there's no signal around. Wi-Fi public hotspots are in a lot of places, but they're not everywhere, and stealing from neighbors can be an iffy legal proposition. Not even cable and DSL can go everywhere. That's why wireless carriers like Sprint and Verizon Wireless offer 3G service, which can go a lot farther (at least in the right markets).

Beyond Wi-Fi

3G stands for "third generation," a catch-all term for several wireless broadband technologies. Sprint and Verizon Wireless both use a tech called EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized ) Rev. A, which can deliver a typical download speed around 1.0 to 1.1 Megabits per second, with occasional bursts to go faster. Of course, 3G connectivity is in phones, but you can also buy 3G modems for laptops. Usually these modems come as USB dongles or PC Cards or ExpressCards. What you need depends on your laptop.

Now, what if you could get a router—just like the one you use on your home or office network to get Wi-Fi—but instead of having Internet powered by a cable or DSL modem, the backbone was that wireless 3G connection? Just plug that USB-based 3G modem dongle in and you could take your Wi-Fi with you anywhere—in theory.

Bring your AC Adapter

One hang-up is power. Wi-Fi signals suck a lot of electrical juice. (Go ahead and turn off your laptop's Wi-Fi sometime and see how much longer the battery lasts.) Because they need to be plugged in, most 3G-capable Wi-Fi routers are more "portable" than truly mobile—great for remote meetings, but still pretty stationary.

Such is the case with three of the products in this group from Linksys by Cisco, Netgear, and LevelOne. The upside of such routers is they can use 3G modems from multiple carriers, have the full complement of router features (including security), and because they run off AC power, they offer very powerful Wi-Fi signals.

However, two other products in this list are unique at the moment: completely mobile routers. The MiFi 2200 is made by Novatel, but like most of Novatel's products, it's resold by carriers. In this case, we got the first-generation versions from Sprint and Verizon Wireless. The MiFi quickly translates the carrier 3G signal into Wi-Fi suitable for up to 5 users. Only five, because the MiFi is super small (fits in a pocket) and entirely battery operated, making it perfect for all the Wi-Fi users in your car-pool. However, the battery doesn't last long if you connect multiple Wi-Fi devices, and MiFi can run a little too hot to actually stay in the pocket without getting uncomfortable. As first-generation products go, they're pretty amazing, albeit not quite perfect for their price. Yet.