November 13, 2018
Everything You Need to Know about the Portable WiFi Solution
Not so long ago, finding an internet café or a bar with WiFi when traveling was something of a luxury – but no longer. Now, in an age when being disconnected is not an option, having reliable and fast internet access is an absolute necessity. In recent years, a device has appeared that offers the ideal solution: pocket WiFi. Here, we answer all your questions about this highly convenient innovation to help you decide if one of these devices could be useful for you.
What is Pocket WiFi?
Pocket WiFi can be thought of as your own personal and portable WiFi router that transforms 3G and 4G signals into a private WiFi signal. You can then connect multiple devices to this signal in exactly the same way as with your WiFi connection at home.
Pocket WiFi devices themselves are very small, easily fitting in the palm of your hand or in your pocket – hence the name. Since the device is so small and lightweight, it is easy to carry with you when you travel. For example, you can put the device in your bag and have access to the internet as long as you are within around 10-15 meters of that bag.
How Does Pocket WiFi Work?
As we mentioned, a pocket WiFi device transforms 3G or 4G into a WiFi signal, giving you your own private and secure WiFi hotspot. There are no cables to plug in, and the setup is no more complicated than joining a regular WiFi network. All you do is switch on the pocket WiFi, authorize the devices you want to give access to and you’re ready to go.
Why Would I Want Pocket WiFi?
Pocket WiFi offers several distinct advantages over traditional ways of staying connected while on the move. If you need to be able go online during your travels – and nowadays who doesn’t? – pocket WiFi could be a solution that is well worth investigating.
Everyone knows what it’s like to be away from home and in need of a WiFi connection. You might spend hours wandering around an unfamiliar city looking for a café with WiFi – and when you finally find one, you discover the connection is so bad, you can hardly send a WhatsApp message, let alone make a call. And even if you do find a decent connection, you never know who else is on that network – using public WiFi is inherently unsafe.
If this scenario sounds all too familiar and it’s something you would rather avoid repeating in future, pocket WiFi might be the solution you are looking for.
Perhaps you travel a lot for business and you require a stable internet connection to stay in touch with the office. You may usually rely on hotel WiFi – but again, are you really sure that the WiFi there is going to be good enough? Even some top five-star hotels still offer appalling WiFi connectivity. If you would rather remove the lottery of depending on hotel WiFi for that important video conference, pocket WiFi guarantees you will be able to get connected.
Of course, there is another option – you can simply use data roaming. Unfortunately, this is often exorbitantly expensive. If you want to avoid the shock of receiving an astronomical bill for your data usage when you arrive home, pocket WiFi also offers a far more affordable solution.
What are the Advantages?
There are many clear advantages to carrying pocket WiFi, including:
- Access to high-speed WiFi wherever you travel
- Reliable, fast connection
- No need to waste time hunting for insecure public WiFi
- Far cheaper than paying data roaming charges when you are traveling abroad
- Safe way to access internet – unlike public WiFi in cafés and bars etc.
- Can connect multiple devices (usually up to 5-10)
- Guaranteed to have WiFi access when you need it most
- You can use it to make internet phone calls when you have no phone signal
- Super-small and lightweight device ideal for traveling
Are there any Disadvantages?
It’s hard to think of many real disadvantages to carrying a pocket WiFi device. Of course, these devices need to be charged and may run out of battery. However, the best ones can now provide up to ten or more hours of continuous use before they need recharging.
Another thing to consider is that if you are renting the device (see below for more details), you will have to remember to return it. However, this is a very small inconvenience; Travelers Wifi that rent pocket WiFi devices do everything they can to make returning the pocket WiFi as convenient and hassle-free as possible. This is a small price to pay for unlimited internet on the go.
How Can I Get Hold of One?
There are two ways of laying your hands on a pocket WiFi device: you can either rent one or buy one.
Buying a device might be an interesting option if you travel very frequently. Having bought the device, you will then have to purchase “top-ups” to use the device each day. Different data plans exist depending on where you travel.
Renting pocket WiFi is probably a more useful option for most people. You simply pick the device up from a designated place, use the daily prepaid data you have bought and then return the device at the end of your trip.
For example, a travelerswifi.com device can be collected from many locations in Switzerland including post offices and major train stations. It can also be sent to your hotel or place of work in Switzerland or internationally. To return it, you can either drop it off at one of the same designated pick-up and drop-off points or you can send it back in the post using a special package provided.
As we mentioned, travelerswifi.com does everything possible to make this part of the process as painless and hassle-free as possible. All you have to do is enjoy the unlimited high-speed internet access the device allows you.
Stay connected wherever you go
If the idea of pocket WiFi sounds like just what you need to stay connected on your travels, click here for more details of our pocket WiFi device that offers you unlimited and fast internet access wherever you travel!