Internet
What Is a Pocket WiFi? How Does It Work? And How to Use It
In this post, we will deeply explore what Pockets WiFi are, how they work, how much they cost, and what are the alternatives.
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We are living in the digital era, and access to the internet is more important than ever, to be connected, to be able to search for information online, to entertain ourselves, and so much more.
Lucky for many of us, there are many alternatives to access the internet, from traditional internet providers to communication and public network satellites. That’s why today we will explore the different options to connect to the internet anywhere in the world.
Table of Contents
How to get internet around the world?
When the time comes to travel, one of the most common concerns of travelers is how can they remain connected to the international internet. So, it is very important to learn about the different ways to be connected to the internet, so you can keep in touch with your family and friends, and access local information and more.
You will read about other options below:
International eSIM cards
eSIM technology offers a convenient alternative to get an internet connection anywhere, during your travels. To use this service, you will have to make sure that your cellphone is eSIM compatible. If it is not, you won’t be able to use this service.
This is one of the best ways to connect to the internet, so you must read about the best international providers. To help you with that, you can read the list below:
- Holafly: The eSIM cards from this provider are very used by travelers, because of the easy purchasing process, delivery, and activation. They have unlimited data plans for some destinations or the possibility of sharing your mobile data with other devices, they offer 24/7 customer service, data top up, and coverage in more than 160 countries, and the brand-new feature! A cellphone number and international calls for some destinations in Europe.
- GigSky: They have coverage in many countries worldwide, flexible data plans, and sometimes include phone calls or SMS. The prices may vary depending on the destination you choose.
- Truphone: Some of their eSIM cards have global coverage, but they are not the most recommended when traveling because their data plans are reduced, with a maximum capacity of 5 GB for 30 days for €45.
- Flexiroam: Offers eSIM or virtual SIM cards that cover multiple destinations. They have plans that go from 2 days with 500 MB to 1 year with 10 GB, which is a low amount of data if we analyze the average cost of GB per week.
Prepaid data plans
Prepaid data plans are a great way to keep connected during your trip, this way you won’t have to worry about getting long-term contracts or additional costs from mobile carriers.
The advantages of these types of data plans are the flexibility of the data plans, the type of coverage, the anticipated purchasing, and the effortless top-up, and that they are also compatible with many devices.
But the disadvantage is that not all countries offer these prepaid data plans for tourists, so it will depend on the destination and the operator you choose. We recommend you look for information before traveling with this alternative.
Local SIM cards
Local SIM cards are one of the most renowned options, whether you are a tourist or a local, you can get wireless data plans, calls, and SMS just by purchasing a local SIM card. But be careful, since some companies do not offer this service for tourists.
SIM cards are accessible and easy to use, but to buy one, you will have to go in person to a mobile operator store at a shopping mall and sometimes at the airport. So, you won’t have the internet right when you land.
We recommend you look at the requirements and conditions of each provider before traveling and make sure that the SIM card from the company you choose is available for tourists.
Pocket WiFi
There is the option of renting a Pocket WiFi device; it is comfortable but also expensive. Pocket WiFi offers a stable connection, the possibility of sharing your mobile data with other devices, and wide coverage, they are easy to set up and rent.
But renting we mean an additional cost because you will have to pay for the device’s shipping, the price of the rent, anti-theft insurance, and the cost of the data plan you choose. Everything is basically sold separately.
You should also make sure that the device has enough battery when you’re out and about because if it doesn’t, the device will run off the charge and you won’t have an internet connection. You have to consider that the Pocket WiFi service has geographical limitations, which means that in some remote destinations, you may not have an internet network coverage.
International roaming service
If you don’t want to purchase an additional device, you can always use the international roaming service of your cellular operator.
The thing is that this service is very expensive, so it has more disadvantages than advantages. You have to be careful with your consumption, so you avoid surprises at the end of your trip. The price varies depending on the wireless operator, and some of them have limitations with speed and limited coverage.
We recommend you check the pricing and rates of this service, before activating it.
Public WiFi networks
If you don’t want to spend much money on alternatives to connecting to the internet, you can connect to the free public WiFi networks, and save some money. They are free, and you can find them in malls, coffee shops, airports, libraries, and more.
We recommend you use this alternative in extreme cases, and not login to bank accounts or personal apps because these networks are not very safe, so your personal information can be easily stolen.
The speed of connection is not the best because many people use these networks at the same time, so it is usually slow and unstable.
Which is the best alternative to connect to the internet?
Undoubtedly, the best way to connect is with the Holafly eSIM card. Why? Simple, because of the many advantages it has! Let’s check the benefits and disadvantages of this alternative below:
Advantages:
- Keep your number.
- Have the internet right when you land.
- Easy and fast purchasing process.
- The activation is almost immediate. You only have to scan the QR code you receive in your email after the purchase.
- Unlimited data in some destinations.
- Some eSIM cards let you share your data.
- You can top up your mobile data.
- 24/7 customer service and support.
- You can manage your data through the Holafly Mobile App.
- Some European destinations include an Austrian phone number and minutes!
Disadvantages:
- It is necessary to ensure that your cellphone is eSIM compatible before getting one of these since it is usually compatible with high-end devices.
Frequent questions about how to have the internet
What is international roaming, and how does it work?
International roaming is the service that mobile operators offer to continue using their services abroad.
Which are the best international SIM card providers?
Some of the best providers are T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and GigSky. But, the quality of their services may vary depending on the country you visit. We recommend you check this information beforehand.
How can I find safe public WiFi networks?
To find safe WiFi networks we recommend you choose the ones offered by hotels, cafés, or restaurants. It is also important to make sure that the networks are protected by a password and employ a VPN to protect their data and security.
What is the difference between a local SIM card and an international SIM card?
A local SIM card is bought in the country you visit, and it is used to have mobile data and local services. An international SIM card lets you use cellular data services without having to change your SIM card. International SIM cards usually have specific plans and prices for travelers.
