Traveling Abroad With the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 - About Potential Compatibility Problems

The Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 is an ultraportable device, able to fit in a pocket and, through a cellular network, establish an Internet connection for up to five people or devices. Many MiFi users will travel with the MiFi on long trips and enjoy wireless broadband service. However, MiFi service on trips to other continents may not be possible with an American bought MiFi. The reason for this inconvenience is the competition and support for two different cellular communications standards: CDMA and GSM.

Each American bought Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 will work only on current proprietary wireless networks, depending on which cellular carrier one initially subscribes with. The major American cellular providers, Verizon Wireless and Sprint, have networks that use the CDMA, or Code Division Multiple Access, standard. CDMA is a method utilized by radio communications technologies, like cell phones and the MiFi, to send and receive information. CDMA was designed to support high-bandwidth applications and exceptional reception. However, CDMA devices are tied to one cellular carrier, like Verizon or Sprint. This makes travel with a CDMA device expensive or simply impossible. Though CDMA is popular in North America, a different standard is far more ubiquitous overseas.

Verizon

GSM, the Global System for Mobile communications, is the most popular cellular standard in use worldwide. Approximately 80% of the cell phones in use around the world are GSM compatible. GSM simplifies switching between cellular providers, while allowing users to keep the same phone or device. To switch providers, a cell phone's (or other device's) SIM card is switched to one compatible with the new desired carrier. SIM cards are available nearly everywhere, from convenience stores to traditional wireless stores. Thus, there are more cellular plans, providing flexibility to the consumer. Many GSM cellular users pay as they go for the services they want, with the option of switching to other carriers in the future. Roaming charges are mitigated by the consumer's ability to purchase local plans nearly anywhere they travel.

European MiFis are designed to work on the EDGE standard, which is GSM compatible. Because European MiFis are GSM, those MiFis will be capable of functioning nearly anywhere in the world.

There will most likely be strong competition between European cellular companies to serve GSM MiFi users because those MiFi users can so easily migrate between carriers. For that reason, European users will have lower monthly and daily rates than American MiFi users (think all-day access rather than in the US).

Verizon Wireless plans to upgrade its network to the 4G standard, LTE, by late 2010. Verizon expects LTE to replace CDMA, provide faster speeds, and better support for devices traveling overseas by incorporating swappable SIM-like cards.

So, you may reconsider taking your American CDMA MiFi overseas. Hopefully American carriers currently supporting GSM, like T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless, will soon offer their own version of the Novatel MiFi to simplify traveling abroad with the device.

And to all those American MiFi users who rarely travel abroad: don't worry!  American support for the device is strong and as widespread as the Verizon and Sprint cellular networks.

Traveling Abroad With the Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 - About Potential Compatibility Problems