Verizon has released the 4G LTE MiFi 4510L a, a mobile hotspot device that will enable up to five devices to connect to it via wifi and gain access to Verizon’s LTE network.

The Novatel manufactured device is available immediately online or can be picked up in stores from 21 April. It costs $100 on postpay, after a $50 rebate on a two-year contract.

The 84g device employs Qualcomms’s MDM9600 chipset and supports download speeds on Verizon’s 800/1900MHz LTE network of between 5-12Mbps, and uploads speeds of between 2 and 5Mbps.

It’s also backwards compatible with Verizon’s 700MHz 3G network. An E-ink display on the device shows at a glance signal strength, battery life, roaming status and the number of connected devices. Battery life is given at five hours of continuous usage.

Verizon’s Deepak Kakadia will be speaking on day two of the LTE World Summit.

Verizon’s LTE MiFi announcement comes at a timely riposte to T-Mobile USA’s recently launched HSPA+ mobile hotspot.

Verizon’s LTE network currently covers 110m people, while T-Mobile USA claims to have the largest 4G network in the country with an HSPA+ network that covers up to 200m people.