WiFi and MiFi. What’s the difference?

Though many people think of them as devices, WiFi and MiFi are trademarked brand names. But what is the difference in WiFi and MiFi? In short, one carries the WiFi signal and is a device, while the other is the technology behind the signal.

WiFi™ is a (now) series of wireless network protocols, based on and designed to meet the various IEEE 802.11 standards. The name is owned by the WiFi Alliance, a non-profit organization that certifies that wireless devices meet the various IEEE 802.11 standards and conform to certain standards of interoperability. For various reasons, not all devices that work as compliant devices have been certified by the WiFi Alliance. WiFi is a device standard technology that is used to describe the connection to the web, but it’s not an actual device. Your 5G smartphone has a chip in it that connects you to the internet, but the technology behind the chip that connects all of your devices including your laptop, and data cards to the MiFi, or hotspot is WiFi.

Did you know that your smartphone has WiFi signal indicator showing the waves or bars of antenna strength? This WiFi signal displays your coverage or Wi-Fi area in bars of strength. These are also called your WiFi signal antenna strength. Without this WiFi signal your devices won’t connect with the internet.

MiFi™ on the other hand, does refer to actual devices. MiFi was trademarked as a brand name by the (then) Novatel Wireless company (now Inseego Corp.). Though there are exceptions to the trademarking, e.g. wireless operator 3 in the U.K and MiFi Networks Pvt Ltd in India. Some people call MiFi a router since it is a piece of equipment, while others call it a hotspot.

MiFi devices are essentially mobile hotspots and are sold by quite a few companies with a variety of available features and functionality. Most MiFi devices will support 3G, 4G, and now many support 5G technology. They are available at varying price points with such features as SD cards for additional data storage, backward compatibility and GPS functionality to name a few. In November, 2019 the first 5G MiFi device supporting up to 16 devices was launched by Vodafone Qata along with Inseego Corp. (a pioneer in 5G and IoT device-to-cloud solutions). Tech is constantly changing but knowing the tech terms can help you understand what devices you need and the signals you need to access the internet.

Auditel focuses on bringing telecom refunds from billing mistakes and errors inside your tech invoices. Did you know that most states collect higher taxes, surcharges, and fees on wireless services than on other taxable goods and services? telecom technology taxes collected in error. Many of these telecom tax errors come from mistakes in tech devices, mobile assets, data usages, telecom taxes, telecom surcharges, telecom tariffs, in both telecom regulated services and non-regulated service monthly fees and charges.

Another reason we focus on find ways to reduce or remove taxes that your company should not be paying for or

We work for our clients to collect telecom refunds for wired and wireless telecom contract violations, telecom contract non-compliances, and in wireless contract non compliances as well. Telecommunication invoices contain a variety of local taxes, state taxes, and surcharges for each state, along with federal fees and usage charges, USF, FUSF, 9-1-1 or 911 fees. More telecom taxes are reviewed and analyzed  for county and gross sales receipts, tax exemptions and so much more. Learn about the Auditel Challenge and find out what’s inside your phone, data, VOIP, internet, and wireless invoices or call 800-473-565five.

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