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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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Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 70 million passengers each year. With so many people passing through the airport, it’s vital to have reliable and fast internet. Amsterdam Airport WiFi is accessible to all passengers in public areas and the departure and arrival halls. The Wi-Fi is easy to connect to and fast enough to stream video, check email, and browse the web.
Knowing how to connect, the speeds and services available, and the coverage and usage policies we can find are essential. We will also inform you about other alternatives to connecting at the airport, such as eSIM, pocket WiFi, or international roaming.
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What types of WiFi are available at Amsterdam Airport?
At Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, you can have WiFi in most areas inside the gates. This free service allows you to perform basic tasks such as managing your email or sending messages. Also within the facilities are Privium Lounges, which are paid VIP workstations with more private WiFi networks and other benefits. We will talk in more detail about each of the alternatives.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol free Wi-Fi
This is an essential solution; if you are a casual traveler, it might help you solve your internet connection momentarily. There is decent coverage inside the airport, and it is as simple as searching for the “Airport_Free_Wifi” network on your device and connecting. You can also search for “Schiphol” in your phone settings, and you will be able to use the network.
With this network, you can stay connected for up to four hours. When the four hours are over, you can reconnect to the web to get another four hours of access. As it is a public network, it has speed limitations, and your experience may be affected depending on the number of users connected at that moment. Also, if you cannot join in any area, it is advisable to move to another location and keep trying.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol paid Wi-Fi
This paid service is known as the Privium Lounges; you have access to these areas once you have a membership or buy a pass at the entrance of the lounges. In addition to having more private workstations and a faster WiFi connection, these areas include other benefits such as priority security or parking.
Currently, the airport has three lounges: one between departures 1 and 2, one on Holland Boulevard near the E-Pier, and the last at the Privium ExpressLounge at the start of the D-Pier. When you pay for the membership, you have access to all of them. The costs range from €130 and up to €285 per year (approximately $139 and $304). It is a service aimed more at frequent travelers, with an application period of two to three weeks.
How to connect to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport WiFi?
Connecting to the airport’s free WiFi network is quite simple. Follow these steps, and you can enjoy the service for 240 minutes. If you run out of time, you must repeat the process.
- Turn on your device’s Wi-Fi and select the SSID Airport_Free_WiFi.
- Open a web browser.
- You will be redirected to a registration page.
- Enter your name, email address, and country of residence.
- Click Register.
- You will now be able to use the free Wi-Fi for 240 minutes.
The process will be similar if you use a VIP network in any of the lounges, but you must enter a password when logging in. You can ask the area staff for the password and how to access the network.
Tips for using Amsterdam Airport WiFi
It is always advisable to use these public networks for specific tasks or if you spend a lot of time at the airport. As anyone can connect, you take the risk of falling victim to theft of personal information or similar situations. Considering this, there are some recommendations to remember, whether you use free or paid WiFi networks.
- Connect to the correct network. Make sure you are connecting to the Airport_Free_WiFi network. Other Wi-Fi networks may be available, but they may not be free or have slower speeds.
- If you have trouble connecting to the WiFi, try restarting your device, and if the problem persists, ask the airport staff for assistance.
- Register your device. Once you are connected to the network, you must register your device. This is a simple process that only takes a few minutes.
- Be aware of the time limit. The free Wi-Fi is available for 240 minutes in four-hour increments. Once your time expires, you must reconnect to the network and register again.
- Use the WiFi responsibly. Don’t stream videos or download large files, as this can slow the network for other users.
- Be careful about what information you share on public Wi-Fi networks. Avoid accessing sensitive information on public WiFi networks, such as your bank account or email.
- You can use a VPN to encrypt your traffic if you need to access sensitive information. This is an additional barrier to protecting your information.
Other options to stay connected at the airport
Using the airport WiFi networks is not our only option. There are many ways to connect to the internet while traveling. These options are more versatile, and even though you must pay for them, they are not expensive. They can offer you connections within the airport facilities and in the city.
eSIM with unlimited data in Amsterdam
It is one of the best alternatives when your phone is compatible with virtual SIM card technology. You can buy them and install them in minutes, even before traveling or before arriving at the airport. Holafly is an online store that sells excellent eSIM for Amsterdam with unlimited data plans; packages range from $19 to $99 with five to 90 days of use.
To buy one of these eSIMs, you just need to have internet access, go to their website, and search for your travel destination among the 160 they have available. You will see all the plans available, and you can choose one. Also, you don’t have to worry about which one to choose. Any plans can top up and buy again to activate it in your eSIM.
Calling minutes are divided into 60 minutes to receive calls from anywhere worldwide and 60 minutes to call most European destinations except Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Ukraine, and Turkey. This is thanks to the Austrian number (+43) included with the service.
Pocket WiFi for Amsterdam
With these devices, you can have your own portable WiFi network. Online stores also sell these services, which are ideal when you travel in a group or need a connection on many devices. Pocket WiFi is a more expensive alternative but generally allows you to connect at least five devices.
Travelers WiFi is a popular store in Europe that offers these mobile hotspots. They cannot deliver directly to Amsterdam Airport but only to private addresses, hotels, or post offices in the city. Their basic plan is for 1GB/day at 4G speed and unlimited data at 3G. It costs $95.5/week, including shipping. You can connect between five and ten devices simultaneously, sharing the speed between all of them.
Roaming international
Of all the alternatives, this is the most expensive, but at the same time, it is very straightforward. You can use roaming services with your local operator and keep your data plan abroad. These rates are high and depend on both the operator and the destination; daily payment options or rates per MB are usually used.
For Verizon, a US company, you can buy a travel pass for 10 dollars per day or use 2.05 dollars per MB. Another closer example is Three, a UK operator with a roaming option in Europe for 34/day to use your plan’s data. When you use it up, you will be paying 1p per MB up to the £45 limit.
FAQ about Amsterdam Airport WiFi
Where can you find Wi-Fi at Amsterdam Airport?
In most of the airport’s internal areas, you can connect to the free WiFi network. If you cannot do so in a specific place, it is advisable to move to another area. In the case of the paid network, there are three Privium Lounges that you can use, offering greater comfort and other benefits.
Does the Amsterdam Airport Offer Paid WiFi?
The airport offers private lounges called Privium Lounges, where we can find WiFi networks that only people in the area can use. You need a membership or pass to access these networks, and they offer better speed, no usage limit, and are more secure with fewer people connected.
Is there a limit to using the free WiFi network at Amsterdam Airport?
The network has only a four-hour consumption limit. However, when you use it, you can register again and continue using it. There is no cap on the amount of data, but the number of users at any given time affects speed and coverage.
