Novatel MiFi 2352: the pocket hotspot idea

The MiFi changed how people thought about mobile data. Instead of plugging a modem into one laptop, you switched on a pocket-sized box and up to five devices joined its Wi-Fi network. Novatel Wireless launched the MiFi 2200 for CDMA networks in the US in 2009, and the MiFi 2352 brought the same idea to GSM/UMTS networks in Europe and elsewhere.

The old index kept a page for the MiFi 2352 with its firmware. These notes look at what the device did and why the "pocket router" format outlived the USB stick.

The hardware

The 2352 is a battery-powered 3G (HSPA) router with Wi-Fi, a SIM slot and a microSD slot. It was thin, roughly credit-card sized and had a single power button with a status light. Battery life was a few hours of active use, which was impressive for the time and shaped how people used it: switched on when needed, not left running all day.

Web setup instead of a dashboard

Unlike USB sticks, a MiFi needs no driver on the computer. Settings live in a small web interface reached through the browser while connected to the MiFi's Wi-Fi. There you set the APN, the Wi-Fi name and password, and the security mode. Old units default to WPA or even WEP on some firmware; if you use one today, choose the strongest option it offers and a long password.

The same thinking applies to any shared connection on the move. Our note on public Wi-Fi versus your own hotspot explains why your own hotspot is the safer choice for accounts that hold money.

Firmware

MiFi firmware was updated through the web interface or a desktop tool, depending on the version and the operator. As with all old devices, the support sites are long gone. If your unit works, keep the firmware it has; if it does not, a dead battery is a far more common cause than firmware.

The legacy

Novatel Wireless later renamed itself Inseego, and pocket hotspots are still sold today in 4G and 5G versions. Phones can share their connection too, but a separate hotspot keeps the phone's battery free for calls and navigation, which is why the format survived.

Quick facts

Item	Notes
Type	Battery-powered 3G (HSPA) Wi-Fi hotspot
Clients	Up to five Wi-Fi devices
Setup	Browser-based admin page, no driver needed
Extras	microSD slot
Common fault today	Worn-out battery