In-Depth Review of the MiFi 4510L on Verizon 4G LTE
Mobilehotspot.com reviews the newest LTE option for hotspots.
A Brief Background on 4G LTE and Mobile Hotspots
A few years ago Verizon planted the seed for a new wireless network that was to become the future fourth generation replacement to its then current third generation (3G) nationwide wireless network. Widely in use for less then 3 years, Verizon’s 3G network was virtually busting at the seams due to the exponential explosion of bandwidth brought about by the massive increase of wireless broadband data.
Verizon’s strategic decision required investing billions of dollars and previously unseen human efforts in wireless engineering, all within a short, finite deadline. With any luck they would finish before 2011, beating their competitors AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile to the gate, by having the first true 4th generation ultra-high-speed wireless network.
The new wireless network would be available to a huge number of North Americas (over 100 million) in 100+ cities. Doubling-down on this new technology dubbed “Long Term Evolution”, or LTE, could quite possibly make-or-break Verizon. Would the investment pay off? Not just for Verizon, but for the millions of users of mobile broadband users who desperately needed more bandwidth and speed and were, themselves, willing to invest in the new LTE based wireless smart phones and mobile hotspots?
To their credit, Verizon was the only company with the planning and execution skills to actually have a wide-scale, fully functioning 4G LTE network up and running in over 125 large metro areas nationwide by the start of 2011. When Verizon flipped the switch to turn on their LTE 4G network, even some of it’s sharpest critics could not help but rave about the absolutely mind-blowing speed and performance being reported on the new generation of 4G LTE based smart phones, data modems, and mobile hotspots.
Without doubt, Mobile Hotspots have been the most positive beneficiary of 4G LTE. Back in 2009, these tiny pocket devices had finally converged on their ultimate promise of fast, simple, and secure access to the internet for up to five users – however, now LTE 4G could finally supply bandwidth volumes and speeds several times faster than any other prior wireless network could. The five connected devices would have virtually no limits in terms of what they now could do with the web.
At the first introduction of LTE, Verizon and Samsung partnered to roll out the SCH-LC11 Mobile Hotspot, the first mobile hotspot to utilize Verizon’s 4G LTE. The majority of reviews for the SCH-LC11 would be somewhat checkered: getting some typical ratings like , “A+ for performance, B- for features” . Reviewers couldn't help but love the device for its intended use but clamored for some additional features, some considered “nice-to-haves” others perhaps “necessities”.
In the spring of 2011, Novatel Wireless introduced their new “4G MiFi”, name the MiFi 4510L Mobile Hotspot, becoming the second hotspot available for a consumers who wanted the 4G LTE experience using a mobile hotspot.
Novatel had big expectations to fill – after all, their MiFi 2200 3G mobile hotspot, released in 2009 became an instant smash hit, revolutionizing the concept and definition of a “mobile hotspot”. So popular was their 3G MiFi 2200, that the term “MiFi” had become synonymous with mobile hotspots in general, regardless of the actual brand. (Sort of how people might use the word “band aid” instead of “adhesive first-aid strip”)
Now that there’s some real competition in the 4G LTE hotspot arena, can the MiFi 4510L match the record-breaking performance of the Samsung SCH-LC11 mobile hotspot, while offering more intuitive and easily-to-use features? Or is the sleek and simple engineering of the tried-and-true SCH-LC11 the best bet for the largest group of users who just want simplicity and rocket-fast web speeds?
3G Mobile Hotspots vs. 4G Mobile Hotspots
Starting in 2010, the 4G wireless footprint offered by Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile in many North American cities and metro areas really took hold and came to fruition. Up until then, the decision to purchase a 4G mobile hotspot was typically met with some hesitation in the fact of the uncertainly of being able to realize the true benefits of a commitment to sign up for a 4G plan.
Since 4G can offer speeds of up to 10 times that of 3G, the impact on mobile hotspots was immediate – multiple users could finally share one device and achieve speeds that would often equal that of their single high speed wired connections at home or in the office. In many situations a 4G mobile hotspot could even make the case for replacing a wired broadband connection at home, becoming an all-in-one traveling voice communications, streaming video and internet connected hub.
Factors to consider when choosing a 3G vs. 4G Mobile Hotspo
- Device Costs: 4G mobile hotspots are more expensive – Even with provider rebates, the average costs is about $50-$150 for the device when signing a two year service agreement. 3G hotspots, such as the ever-popular MiFi 2200 are often available for free if you sign up for a contract. 4G Mobile Hotspots sold without contract will be even more expensive, upward of $300 for the hotspot itself.
- Contracts vs. Prepaid Options: To get a 4G mobile hotspot you will either need to sign up for a two year commitment with one of the major wireless carriers, or buy the hotspot unsubsidized and pay the same monthly data plan rate as the contract users (your benefit being your right to stop service without any termination fees). 3G hotspots offer a much wider choice of plans, including prepaid, no-contract, and short term rental options.
- Limited 4G availability: The fasted 4G download speeds in the world are not going to benefit you if the signal is not available where you work, live or plan to travel. While 4G rollout and penetration is progressively increasing every month, there is still a measure of calculated risk if you purchase a 4G device on the premise that service will be coming in the not so distant future. What 3G lacks in speed as compared to 4G is made up in availability in virtually every area in North America with even a tiny population.
- Confusing “4G” standards – With millions spent by Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile claiming “their 4G” is the fastest, most reliable, most-available, most-blah-blah-blah…it can be challenging to decide on which 4G solution is best for you. Verizon’s LTE clearly offers the best download and upload speeds,but is more expensive than others. HSPA+ offered by AT&T has more nationwide coverage than other providers, but lags in speed compared to Verizon LTE. Sprint’s WiMax 4G lags behind in speed and coverage compared to that of LTE and HSPA+, but is the only provider to offer a unlimited 4G monthly usage.
- While the industry brags about how cool and great 4G is, the fact is that for a great percentage of people who can benefits from a mobile hotspot, the moderate yet reliable access speeds of 3G are quite suitable and
