Vodafone has launched a portable, battery-powered Wi-Fi mobile broadband router.

Called the Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi R201 and known as a MiFi, the USB modem router will allow as many as five people to connect to the internet using the Vodafone network.

This means that PCs, mobile gaming devices and digital music players can all share a secure mobile internet connection.

Vodafone customers can gain the device for £25 a month on an 18-month contract, which includes 5GB of mobile data.

The device can be used with any device that has Wi-Fi capability (supporting Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g) and an internet browser for further device configuration.

It has a small device status screen that displays battery charge, broadband signal strength, Wi-Fi connectivity, 3G connectivity and the mobile broadband operator.

Earlier this month, a study conducted by ABI Research revealed that the UK has some of the world's lowest mobile broadband prices.