You can get the same MiFi 2200 device from Virgin Mobile (my local BestBuy carries them) which uses Sprint's 3G network for $40/month unlimited bandwidth and no contract. I bought one last month for a road trip and love it.
The connection from the MiFi to 3G drops every 20 minutes or so, and the connection from the iPad/MacBook to the MiFi drops 2-3 times a day. The latter means I need to reboot the device and re-enter my admin details 2-3 times a day. When it does work, the connection is so slow I cannot watch YouTube videos or stay connected to any chat service. The badness seems tied to the time of day. I can sometimes get stuff done early in the morning on Saturday and Sunday. Any other time of the week it's mostly unusable.
If the MiFi still seems like a good deal to you (maybe it works fine outside of NYC), please contact me in my profile, I'll sell you mine for 50 bucks.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Virgin+Mobile+-+MiFi+2200+Wirele...
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/
I purchased a unit about 4 months ago. Thank you scottw for the info.
When I purchased the unit, there was no umlimited option. The most you could purchase was 5GB at a time. If you did not use all 5GB, tough luck, it would not rollover, expiring after 30 days.
So, $40/month, unlimited is quite impressive WITH NO CONTRACT.
Also the Mifi 2200 supports multiple devices simultaneously, so you can use your iPad and your girlfriend can use her MBP.
Rather interesting, considering Verizon charges an additional monthly fee for their smartphones to bridge via wifi (even if you already pay for a smartphone data plan).
This is also one of the few devices/services that can provide internet access using only cash (no cc associated with the account).
I highly recommend the Mifi2200.
I wonder if I got a bum hardware or if there's something else going on.
I did notice it does run hot, though. Maybe change the orientation of the MiFi.
I haven't checked for firmware updates, either.
Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
I am still in shock.
http://www.virginmobileusa.com/mobile-broadband/broadband2go...
That's an awesome deal though. When they come available again, I'm jumping on that.
> Your best bet to purchase a MiFi right now would be going to one of our retailers- @BestBuy, @RadioShack, @Target
I went to BestBuy and walked out with one. And, unlike my experiences trying to set my iPad up on AT&T, it lets you set up the MiFi even if you don't have any other source of internet access.
I'm not entirely overjoyed with the speeds, but the $40 for unlimited with no contract (they explicitly say you can sign up when you need it, cancel when you don't) is a good price.