At first glance, the Novatel MiFi Portable Intelligent HotSpot shows no signs of being intelligent. To the casual observer, the CDMA and GSM MiFi Portable HotSpots are nothing more than portable WiFi routers. And, those casual observers would be wrong.
Sure, the Novatel MiFi HotSpots provide up to 5 continuous hours of WiFi connectivity (using its integrated rechargeable battery), using its integrated 3G radios to ferry data between you and your wireless carrier at mobile broadband speeds. Sure, you can connect a handful of WiFi-capable devices to the MiFi simultaneously. But, that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The MiFi line of portable 3G hotspots are actually “intelligent” hotspots. With the ability to store and host applications locally, the MiFi sets itself apart from the “other” portable hotspots. Using a microSD card slot to store applications, the MiFi can serve up a comprehensive suite of always-on data-management applications to any device that connects to its WiFi signal. That’s why Novatel calls their MiFi an “intelligent” portable hotspot.
And, to that end, Novatel is proud to announce the very first application for their MiFi portable hotspots. Developed in conjunction with Alcatel-Lucent and Bell Labs, the OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian application provides “always on” enterprise security and management. The new MiFi application allows for remote troubleshooting, management, protection and data “remote kill” functionalities that safeguards sensitive data from loss or theft. And, with the ability to remotely patch employee laptops, the OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian turns the MiFi into a truly secure remote 3G HotSpot.
Of course, we’d be lining up to buy a US GSM 3G-compatible version of the sleek and powerful MiFi portable hotspot even if it didn’t boast all that “intelligence.” With the FCC already on board, we shouldn’t have to wait in line too much longer…
Full press release after the break.
Novatel Wireless integrates Alcatel-Lucent Nonstop Laptop Guardian
security technology into MiFi 2352
PARIS and SAN DIEGO – Feb. 26, 2009 – Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) and Novatel Wireless Inc., (Nasdaq:NVTL) a leading provider of wireless broadband solutions, today announced that the Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess 3500 Nonstop Laptop Guardian enterprise security and management solution will be ported to operate on MiFi 2352, an HSPA version of Novatel’s innovative intelligent mobile hotspot. This integration highlights the unique capability of Novatel to deliver innovative wireless data solutions, and of the Alcatel-Lucent Nonstop Laptop Guardian (NLG) solution to be delivered as a software application through third-party devices.
MiFi 2352 is a wireless broadband device that enables high-speed Internet connectivity that can be easily shared between multiple users and Wi-Fi devices such as laptops, cameras, gaming devices and multimedia players. The MiFi product line makes it possible for large and small enterprises and home office workers to secure, control and manage wireless connections. With a robust platform capable of hosting third-party applications, such as the Bell Labs-developed Nonstop Laptop Guardian, MiFi extends the reach and control of the enterprise when dealing with remote mobile communications devices.
The Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess 3500 NLG consists of a secure, always-on computing system that helps enterprises overcome the mobile blindspot — where enterprises have no visibility or control over the location, use or configuration of employee laptops. With this technology, enterprises have 24/7 access to employee laptops – enabling them to protect the data and manage the laptop even if the laptop is turned off.
“Integrating the security capabilities of the Nonstop Laptop Guardian with Novatel’s MiFi 2352 intelligent mobile hotspot produces a revolutionary, secure mobile computing solution for the mobile workforce,” said Peter Leparulo, Chairman and CEO of Novatel Wireless. “The combination of Alcatel-Lucent’s strong relationships with carriers and channels on the solutions side, together with Novatel’s proven track record with carriers delivering innovative solutions for wireless data, will create a force multiplier in the market.” The new offer will be sold through carriers, service providers and through Alcatel-Lucent business partners globally.
The Nonstop Laptop Guardian solution includes remote troubleshooting, management, protection and data “remote kill” functionalities that effectively eliminate all data from a lost or stolen laptop and therefore protect corporate information. It also enables IT to remotely patch employee laptops anytime, anywhere for fast response to security threats. Through interoperable encryption solutions, the Nonstop Laptop Guardian renders the laptop’s data readable only through the use of an encryption key located on the Mifi, which can be disabled or re-enabled over the air by the corporate IT manager for patch management, remote back-ups, end-policy enforcement and control, and whole disk encryption solutions.
“Partnering with Novatel and leveraging the unique MiFi platform meets Alcatel-Lucent’s vision to provide an open environment of applications- enabled solutions, introducing a 24/7, intelligent mobile hotspot solution to customers, demonstrating the core competency of the Nonstop Laptop Guardian: first rate security software solutions,” said Dor Skuler, general manager of enterprise security solutions at Alcatel-Lucent. “With Novatel, we are providing a product and go-to-market approach that changes the way the mobile workforce operates, giving businesses the advantage of always on protection and management for laptops.”