Novatel Wireless MiFi 2372 3G Mobile WiFi Hotspot For North America (850/1900 3G)

by Novatel Wireless

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• ASIN: B0039ZLMK0
• Item model number: MiFi 2372
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (60 customer reviews)

Product Description

MiFi 2372 intelligent mobile hotspot for HSPA networks with download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 5.76 Mbps (*Data speeds may be limited by network support and/or operating conditions), optimized for North America and capable of sharing 3G Internet connection between 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices.

World wide compatibility

Requires a SIM card with activated data plan. Operates virtually anywhere in the world with multiple frequency band operation in HSPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS providing high speed mobile Internet access.

Compatible with AT&T, Bell, Rogers, Telus, Movistar, Telcel, etc.

NOT compatible with T-Mobile USA and CDMA/EVDO operators, including Verizon and Sprint.

Connect up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices

Allows up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices to simultaneously connect to the Internet.

Easily fits in the palm of your hand

Sleek and tiny, MiFi is perfect for on-the-go connectivity.

Integrated high-capacity microSDHC slot

Provides expandable storage capacity of up to 16GB, allowing access from all connected devices over Wi-Fi.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

84 of 86 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Using your Novatel MiFi Router July 23, 2010

By Oldskaterman

Amazon Verified Purchase

First, it is indeed true that the Novatel 2372 GSM MiFi device will work on either the AT&T or T-Mobile GSM networks. What may not be obvious to everyone is the fact that T-Mobile's GSM network will only accommodate a 3G connection if the cellular device is capable of supporting transmission in the 1700/2100 MHz band. Since the Novatel 2372 MiFi device does not support transmission in this band combination, this results in the T-Mobile network only allowing a noticeably slower EDGE data connection. The AT&T network, however, supports a 3G connection in the 2100 MHz band (uplink and downlink).

I found this out the hard way since I had a T-Mobile service plan in effect when I purchased my Novatel 2372 MiFi router. I noticed very quickly that my data connections were always EDGE connections instead of 3G connections. Once I determined the reason for not being able to access a higher speed 3G connection on T-Mobile's network, I switched my service to AT&T's network. This raised another issue which is finding out the complexities involved in obtaining an AT&T data-only service plan, i.e., a service plan that does not entail a 2 year commitment.

Below are the details associated with obtaining reliable MiFi data service for a Novatel 2372 MiFi router.

* AT&T at one time offered, but no longer offers, a data-only service plan. In other words today a normal cell phone plan available from AT&T must include a voice service plan. However, they do offer a DataConnect plan which is designed to accommodate a USB Wireless modem device (Air Card), e.g., for use in a laptop computer only.... Unless you specifically mention that you have such a GSM capable device and wish to obtain data service and no voice capabilities, the AT&T sales people will tell you no such data-only plan exists unless you can prove you are legally deaf.
* I was able to sign up for AT&T's DataConnect plan for about $66/month with a 5 GB usage limit. In my case I will most likely not exceed this limit, hence this plan is ideal for use with my MiFi router.
* Once you have purchased the appropriate AT&T service and received an AT&T SIM card, you must have knowledge of certain configuration details in order to render your MiFi router functional on the service providers network. Don't count on AT&T to have this information available. Even the AT&T higher level technical support people may not necessarily be familiar with what a MiFi router is and therefore unfamiliar with how to properly configure such a device on AT&T's network.

Here are the simple details required to configure your Novatel 2372 MiFi router for access to either AT&T or T-Mobile data services:

In the Novatel configuration setup for creating an Internet Profile, I discovered that your default profile must include the correct APN string and a valid Username and Password. Fortunately this kind of information is available on the Internet or obtainable from your cellular service provider.

For AT&T (HSPA, UMTS, EDGE and GPRS), the APN should be: WAP.CINGULAR
- Username can be your assigned mobile telephone number
- Password can be your assigned mobile telephone number

For T-Mobile (EDGE and GPRS), the APN should be: [...]
- Username can be blank
- Password can be blank

There appears to be some variations in acceptable entries, especially involving the Username and Password. In general, however, the APN entry must be recognized by the carrier matching the inserted SIM card.

Novatel Wireless MiFi 2372 Unlocked 3G Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot GSM For North America (AT&T & T-Mobile) Read more ›

89 of 94 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Perfect Alternative when no DSL or land line not around! March 16, 2010

By Saeed A. Siddiki

Before i start with the review i want to point out that i bought the European version of this exact same device "Novatel Wireless MiFi 2352 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot"

What this does?
It helps anyone who has a SIM Card with 3G services enabled to connect up to 5 PC's/Mac's/Wifi devices to the internet

Complexity in setting up?
i would say about 6/10 in terms of how easy/hard this is. You have to understand that the 3G sim cards (depending which carrier you have)
will have a profound impact on how quickly you can set this up.

How to set up?
* If your carrier is not enlisted in the default options on the device, you just need to contact your SIM provider and ask for an APN#
* The WIFI setup is very easy and you just need to pick a name (that is SSID) and a new password for everyone you want to access the internet
* If you intend to use this device indefinitely, then i suggest you configure it first and then connect it to the AC electrical charger

The Situation
Since i don't have the capability to bring DSL or WyMAC or etc etc. in my area, this little GEM was a GOD send! I really wanted the ubiquitous internet access in my apartment which would hook up 3 Mac's/apple TV and a Nintendo WII. This thing is fast and a solid build!

Bottom Line:
If you stuck like me with internet but can access only though your cell phone = get it
If your area does not have any other internet access points = get it
If you frequently travel and need instant net access = get it
If you have less than 5 devices simultaneously needing internet access = get it

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Device - But Be Very Wary of Branded Units! February 21, 2012

By David Preudhomme

Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased a MiFi 2372 for use in Europe and had a saga in trying to get it to work. Ultimately turned out to be a good product, but there might be better options... I received a MiFi that was branded with the AT&T logo. This AT&T branded unit would not allow me to update the APN info that is unque to the data sim card. If you receive one with the same branding it may be much easier to return it for a truly un-tethered unit.

I purchased a universal data sim card from IphoneTrip for use overseas (I know there are less expensive options but for me the convenience of having a universal sim was worth it). On the day I was leaving I received an email with the APN info for the Sim card (you will need the APN name along with a username and password to use any data sim card). After installing the sim card and logging into the software that came with the MiFi - I went to update the internet profile for the card.

There were two AT&T specific profiles already configured which you cannot change. I went to update the last remaining profile and updated it for my sim card, clicked apply and received a message "This APN is not allowed". I tried multiple times to update the various profiles and kept getting the same error message; it was not operator error. By this point I was literally on a flight to the east coast for the first leg of my flight. My options were either to get this to work or be without use of the MiFi. If I had time - I would have returned the unit.

After searching online for possible solutions - I found a software application called DC Unlocker - basically a jail break solutions for MiFis. BUT - the application only works if you use a USB connection to the MiFI (you cannot do it wirelessly).... No CD or drivers came with the device; Novatel (the MiFi maker) and AT&T seem to insist on using a wireless connection to control the MiFi.

The driver was not real easy to find but they do exist on the Novatel wireless site. (The link I used was [...]). After installing the driver, I used DC Unlocker to ping the device (you can ping the device for free with DC Unlocker; if you have to unlock it you have to buy `credits'). DC Unlocker reported the device was unlocked (it said the sim was unlocked but that line refers to both the status of the sim card & device). So bottom line - the device was not "locked" but it was indeed somehow tethered to AT&T in such a way that it did not allow full control of the internet profile.

The solution I found after searching other forums was to overwrite the MiFi's AT&T firmware with generic firmware for the device from Novatel. I found a file directory on Novatel's site with the generic firmware. The link I used was [...] (the file was 68 mb; so downloading it while travelling was a pain!) After updating the firmware I could then login to the MiFi software (note - after updating the firmware the username is "admin" and the password is "12345"; the username & password printed on the device no longer will be correct). The internet profile area under the new software now listed 6 profiles (instead of 3 under AT&Ts). For whatever reason I had difficulty updating the first profile but could update profile #6 to use the APN info I was provided.

After many hours of frustration I was finally able to get the MiFi working. After going through all of the above the device did work well. The universal sim card was also a great choice. From time to time while travelling on trains the signal would temporarily drop - but nothing unexpected especially as it was always in remote locations. The $13.00 or so I paid (per day) for unlimited data was much better than trying to find open hotspots in Switzerland, Germany & Austria. There were some, but not many. The paid ones were very expensive.

For what it is worth - my conclusions:
1. If you get an AT&T branded device - return it. It may be unlocked but that does not mean it is fully un-tethered. If it is not un-tethered you may not be able to update the APN info as needed.

2. If you get any device - try to update the APN before you intend to use it. If the firmware won't allow a change to the APN (under internet profile) you know you have a problem.

3. Always get the APN info (with username & password) for your sim card. You will need it. Listed below is a site I found with APN info for various global carriers. At a minimum you can use info from this site to see if your MiFi is tethered or not.
[...] The one I was given by Iphone Trip was what is listed for USA Cingular Non-Contract.

4. If you cannot return the device and it is tethered you will need to update the firmware. To do this you will need a PC; and will have to:
a. Download and install a USB driver for the device
b. Connect via USB and install the generic Novatel firmware for the device
c. After installing the firmware, you should be able to update the internet profile.

5. If you cannot update the firmware your device is likely truly locked. If you cannot return the device you may have to jailbreak it with something like DC Unlocker but obviously risk bricking the device.

Having a MiFi while travelling overseas was easily worth the investment. However, it would have been much better without the saga required to get it working. Read more ›