3 to launch ‘Mifi’ wireless router by Christmas

published 6 August 2009

A wireless router will be released later in the year by the mobile company 3.

The device, known as "Mifi," is about the same size as a phone and battery-powered, removing the need for plugs and wires.

It can become your own personal Wi-Fi hotspot, providing wireless connections for multiple devices - as long as you are connected through 3's 3G coverage of course.

"There are millions of Wi-Fi devices out there, but they can only be used in fixed locations," Marc Allera, sales and marketing director at 3 UK, said in a statement.

"Consumer demand for easy and affordable internet access on the go is growing fast and we're responding to that by announcing the UK's first wireless modem."

Set up is simple as no software is required, just an eight digit network key that will need to be put in once for new devices.

The official launch is scheduled for before Christmas and prices will be confirmed closer to the date.

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.