Despite the increasing popularity Wi-Fi of integrated tethering functionality across a variety of smartphone platforms, sales of dedicated portable hotspots continue to remain strong. Novatel Wireless, a pioneer in personal mobile hotspots, on Monday announced that lifetime shipments of its MiFi mobile hotspot line has now surpassed 3 million units globally. Beyond the tried and true reliability of Novatel’s MiFi devices — anyone who follows BGR’s live coverage of press conferences knows we rely on them constantly — the milestone reaffirms the fact that many users aren’t willing to sacrifice smartphone battery life for the sake of convergence. “Three years ago we introduced the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and revolutionized the way people access the Internet, from anywhere, anytime,” Novatel Wireless CEO Peter Leparulo said in a statement. “The MiFi system architecture brought a new user-experience to mobile broadband consumers, with one click connect and no software to install. It also allows carriers to reach a wider, more diverse subscriber base with innovative service opportunities. We are very pleased to have achieved this milestone illustrating our significant market and product leadership for mobile hotspots.” Novatel’s full press release follows below.
Novatel Wireless Celebrates Shipment of its Three Millionth MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot
SAN DIEGO October 31, 2011 Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq: NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced that shipments of its MiFi® Intelligent Mobile Hotspot have surpassed three million devices since product introduction in 2009.
³Three years ago we introduced the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot and revolutionized the way people access the Internet, from anywhere, anytime,² says Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. ³The MiFi system architecture brought a new user-experience to mobile broadband consumers, with one click connect and no software to install. It also allows carriers to reach a wider, more diverse subscriber base with innovative service opportunities. We are very pleased to have achieved this milestone illustrating our significant market and product leadership for mobile hotspots.²
Novatel Wireless invented and launched the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot in 2009 and pioneered and created a whole new product category in the wireless ecosystem. Novatel Wireless owns significant intellectual property and holds numerous U.S. and international key patents and patent applications around core elements of the MiFi Intelligent Mobile Hotspot family of products.
Since its introduction, Novatel Wireless has commercially launched its MiFi devices with 25 operators worldwide and has received major industry accolades for innovation.
³We will continue to focus on the value that the MiFi experience brings to users. With the world becoming increasingly connected, there is opportunity to improve the way we interact with our wireless devices and our connected experience,² says Rob Hadley, CMO of Novatel Wireless. ³We are very proud of the support for our MiFi family of products and will continue to focus on innovation that has made the brand what it is today.²
Novatel Wireless currently holds 35 issued or allowed U.S. patents and 37 filed U.S. patent applications, some of which it holds or has filed for in additional patent jurisdictions as well.
