Hey bud. Can you spare some wi-fi?

Hey bud. Can you spare some wi-fi?

It’s the lament of any connected family, home office worker or teleworker who hits the road: Dad has a broadband wireless card for HIS laptop, leaving Mom and the kids disconnected with their iTouches or Nintendo DSis, and eagerly awaiting the call, “Who’s next…?”

No longer. Verizon Wireless will introduce its Novatel Wireless MiFi 2200 Intelligent Mobile Hotspot on May 17.  The device enables customers to create a personal Wi-Fi cloud capable of sharing high-speed Internet connectivity of Verizon’s 3G Mobile Broadband network with up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices such as notebooks, netbooks, cameras, gaming devices or portable media/MP3 players.

Small enough to fit in a pocket (size: 3.5” x 2.3” x 0.4” and 2+ ounces), its streamlined form factor combines integrated internal CDMA and Wi-Fi antennas, and advanced security and authentication technologies.

And its rechargeable battery provides up to four hours active use with one device connected through Wi-Fi. It also has some 40 hours of standby time on a single charge.

The timing seems perfect for a fast growing sector. Wi-fi mobile phones are projected to grow more than 30% among business, consumer and student users. The cost: $99.99 (with a two-year agreement and after a $50 mail-in rebate).

“It gives customers the flexibility to transform their Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronics into Mobile Broadband devices and to choose how and when they need to be connected at a price point that will match most budgets,” says Mike Lanman, vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless.

Shared wi-fi is a great concept. At least the kids aren’t asking, “Hey dad, can I have the car keys, please…”

Price plans vary: $39.99 monthly access for 250 MB monthly allowance and 10 cents per megabyte overage; or $59.99 monthly access for 5 GB monthly allowance and 5 cents per megabyte overage.  Customers also can use the MiFi 2200 with Verizon Wireless’ Mobile Broadband DayPass for $15 for 24-hour access when the device is purchased at full retail price without a monthly service plan.