Vodafone is launching a Wi-Fi hotspot application that will enable users to connect up to five devices to the same mobile broadband connection. The "Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot" will initially be available in Germany, Romania and Spain and will support HSPA connectivity up to 7.2 Mbps.

The credit-card sized, operating system independent, Mobile Broadband Hotspot enables customers to connect quickly and easily to any device that supports the Wi-Fi standard, then connect to the internet using Vodafone's mobile broadband connectivity.

With one touch to power on, users will be able to detect the mobile Wi-Fi cloud using any device configured for Wi-Fi and connect up to five devices within a 10-metre radius. An internal battery provides up to four hours of active use on a single charge.

"The Vodafone Mobile Broadband Hotspot offers mobile professionals, students and families a one-touch connectivity solution that turns Wi-Fi enabled devices such as MP3 players and laptops into connected mobile internet devices," said Huw Medcraft, Mobile Broadband Director, Vodafone. "This product brings even more flexibility to our customers, and ensures that Vodafone's market leading mobile broadband can be rolled out to even more devices to give customers greater convenience."

The device is being supplied by Novatel Wireless.