I’ve lived in rural areas for more than half my life. When I first started using the Internet, dial-up was the only thing available, so that worked. Now, about 10 years later, there are glorious high-speed Internet capabilities. Sadly, I’m again living in the boonies, and the main thing available is dial-up. Luckily, there’s another option: Novatel Wireless MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot.

As I researched high-speed Internet options available in the middle of nowhere, I came across Verizon’s mobile broadband coverage. I wanted something that not only would give me Internet access in hard-to-access locales, but also would be fast and furious. I work from home, so I needed some power. There are USB modems and access cards available from Verizon, but I couldn’t resist the lure of the mobile hotspot.

Novatel’s MiFi mobile hotspot has the ability to connect up to five WiFi-enabled devices at once. With my mobile hotspot, I can connect my Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii, PC and iPod Touch to the Internet and satisfy all my gaming and professional needs. The current downside of Verizon’s (and other service providers’) plans is that it’s limited. On the plan I have now — which is the max — I can only upload and/or download about 5GB of data per month. If you’re gaming online with a console or power gaming (massively multiplayer online games or games that transfer a lot of information back and forth), this small amount of data isn’t going to cut it. There’s too much information being transferred with consoles or MMOs. Hopefully, though, companies will soon build their infrastructures to allow for unlimited upload/download plans. I’m not holding my breath, though.

Despite the limited gaming capabilities for consoles or PCs, the MiFi is perfect for casual gaming via the iPod Touch or browsers, such as games found on Facebook. I especially love having my MiFi for road trips or while I’m out and about in the world running errands or visiting friends. With the power of my MiFi and iPod Touch, I can play Words With Friends or other Internet-needed iPod apps and games. It’s extremely useful when I need to look up information on my iPod.

Until free WiFi comes to the world everywhere ever, Novatel’s MiFi is the best option for anyone who needs high-speed Internet in places that have little to no other options. I love my MiFi, and I get a kick out of introducing others to the awesomeness of its power. I recommend the device to just about everyone I meet. For more information about Novatel and the MiFi, visit http://www.novatelwireless.com/.