Legal Research

"Lighting a Rocket..."

Posted by David Bilinsky: "Simon Fodden, writing in Slaw.ca discussed the new Novatel MiFi - which is a cellular modem that does not need to be pushed into, slotted, USB'd or otherwise wired to your laptop to link you to a cellular-hosted internet service.  What is the MiFi?  It is a router and modem all combined, which allows you to create a portable WiFi cloud that can be shared by up to 5 people. There is *only* one problem with the MiFi - and that is, alike many other technological developments, it is not (yet) available in Canada. It operates in the USA on the Verizon network. The touted benefits of the MiFi is that it is always with you - there is no need to have internet service at home etc...

So what is a Canadian lawyer to do? Seek a typical Canadian compromise - a Roger's Mobile Hi-Speed Rocket Internet Stick. This little device will allow you to connect to the internet wherever you can find a cellular signal.  It connects quickly and easily, the initial configuration is not difficult, it works for PCs as well as Macs and there are corporate data plans that are a bit easier on the pocket compared to the consumer plans (call Rogers and ask to speak to their corporate sales department).

OK, this is a compromise - so you have to connect the Rocket modem to your USB port for it to work (unlike the MiFi which can be inside your computer bag all the time).  You can't automatically share the Rocket Stick's internet (unless you can master the intracies of sharing an internet connection in Windows or OS X) as you can with the MiFi.

But similar to the MiFi - you can connect and work from virtually anywhere (well, not the Yukon since Rogers doesn't have any coverage there...or indeed from anywhere else where Rogers doesn't have service). I have a Rocket Stick and absolutely love it - as I can grab my MacBook and work from almost anywhere and not have to worry about finding a Wi-Fi cloud. Talk about convenient!  And I find that the benefit of being able to work here and there when I need to far offsets the $35-40/month that I find the Rocket Stick is costing me in terms of data use, fees and taxes. But I am not sure about this type of service replacing my home internet service - after all, on the Rocket Stick I still have to watch the amount of data being downloaded in order to keep the charges reasonable.

Since I think its going to be a long long time before we get around to finding the MiFi in Canada, the Rocket Stick is about as close as we are likely to get in Canada to carrying the internet around with you."

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Source: Thoughtful Legal Management, 10 May 2009

Full post as published by Stark County Law Library Blawg on May 12, 2009 (boomark / email).